An Open Letter to the Port Company and The Auckland Council

Direct Action Looms in Auckland Battle
From YachtSail Waka Aotearoa

Dear Port Company and Auckland City -This is a struggle it appears that the Council and Port Company cannot win. Sadly both organisations appear appear to have gone too far this time with secret non-notifiable decisions on the Bledisloe Wharf extensions because they are both afraid of full open public participation and debate. Saturdays Public Notice in the 28 March NZ Herald seems to simply add fuel to the fire by making claims people are saying are simply not true as the Company are already planning for reclamation between the Bledisloe Wharf extensions. In the cafes, sports clubs and communities people today are saying this is not about the cruise ships and appears to be simply a PR exercise . The only outcome of a prolonged struggle will be the worst PR and relationship outcome we can imagine. It will destroy the work of the City Council and entangle it in battles that are actually unnecessary. This will be very sad for Auckland .

Below is a selection of the what we predict is going to happen now as the struggle escalates day by day towards direct action into the indefinite future.

We wish to emphasise we are not ourselves are NOT involved in these actions, but are simply pointing out what the discussions around the city among so many different groups currently is about what the majority of Aucklanders appear to now be saying and thinking. We emphasise that of course not all groups currently involved in opposition to the wharf would support such direct actions. Some would even condem them. However they are the things that others are seriously discussing. It is indication of the emormous sense of frustration with both the Council and the Company over the issue. We point out that even if these actions are slow to gain momentum or never undertaken, the publicity around them will create very damaging PR and relationships to the point where relationships may no longer be retrievable.

What people are saying on social media in public and in private--

• The Council and the Port company have abused the trust and social responsibility Aucklanders have put in them.
• What is the point of having all the wealth in the world if it destroys our harbour forever.
• The Port company represents the very worst of modern capitalism –growth and wealth bottom line at any cost.
• Groups and individuals are planning to adopt the following strategies and take their own individual uncoordinated random action asap. As there is no coordinated action they are saying injunctions to any particular organisation will not succeed.
• Mass sailing and boat movement flotilla to blockade the reclamation area (called wharf extension by you ) with surfboards, kayaks, dingys , motorboat ,yachts, swimmers, body boards, rubber tyres, lilios .....
• Mass anchoring in the construction zone and as fast as you tow one away, another will take its place
• Blockage of the Port gates with trailer boats moving and turning in ways that cannot be controlled 24 hours a day.
• A campaign to name and shame all Directors and senior staff of the Port company and blockade their properties to make it difficult to get to work every day.
• A campaign to get Council to direct the Port Company to cease all construction or reclamation and failing this to dump all current directors and senior staff who are likely to continue to approve Port expansion.
• A campaign to sell the Port Company as it seems Council cannot exercise its responsibility to Auckland due to its greed to get its hands on Port Company income regardless of the consequences.
• A campaign to name and shame all Councillors who voted for the extensions and reclamations and the senior staff of the Council who approved the consents blockading their properties and to make it difficult to get to work every day including, disruptions to Council meetings and gatherings.
• Legal challenges at every stage of every aspect of everything they seek to do from now on.
• A campaign to vote out Mayor and deputy Mayor and all those who voted and vote for further stealing of the harbour which has already started as you know.
• A campaign to get central government to pass special legislation to prevent any further reclamation or construction until until a comprehensive plan is developed.
• Random acts of civil disobedience ...

Such a break down of civic trust and relationships would be very sad as would the sale of the Port Company, but it is now clear that many people no longer have trust in the Port Company or the Council and that they have broken the social contract between citizens of Auckland and citizens are simply going to express that frustration and demand in an ever escalating range of ways unless action is taken quickly to restore a democratic appraoch to the operations of the Port.

We urge you to settle the situation promptly by ceasing all current plans for expansion and ensure a full future strategic plan examing all options for the Port and the Waitemata is developed in a transparent and democratic way.The alternative is far too damaging to all of us to contemplate

ENDS

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