Owairaka Protestors: why are they on the maunga? November 26, 2019

Protestors have occupied Owairaka maunga for nearly two weeks now, halting the integrated management plan by Tupuna Maunga Authority. This plan has been in place and publicly available since 2016, indicating the intention of restoring the maunga with native trees. That process would include the felling of 345 exotic trees. The group who have named themselves Honour the Maunga say they were unaware of the plan, and that consultation shoud have occured. They are against the felling and are concerned about the environment, that it is 'madness' to cut down mature trees in the time of a climate emergency. The Green Desk's Mitchell Fuller spoke with representative Anna Redford asking about their claims of lack of consultation and whether they understand the Tangata Tiriti responsibility that is possible here. 

Photo credit: NZ Herald