Veterans Join Hikoi On Anzac Day

Whangarei, Wednesday 25 April: ANZAC Day saw local war veterans lead 60 people on the hikoi ‘Aotearoa is Not For Sale’ through Kaikohe, Moerewa and Kawakawa this morning and Whangarei in the afternoon.

Remembered were those who fought and sacrificed in wars to protect this country and those who remained at home in the hope of their safe return, keeping the home fires burning. Their dreams of a safe future where they and their descendants could decide their own destiny.

Veterans expressed disgust at the current Government’s attempt to give overriding power to other countries through secret international trade deals, land and asset sales. Impacts on these smaller communities were recalled lest we forget the results of privatisation on our country during the 1980s.

While 150 people exchanged greetings in Moerewa a truck with a huge ancient swamp kauri trunk of several tonnes passed slowly. “There goes our asset now!” cried out one protester.

Ancient swamp kauri is being mined and wetlands destroyed from land promised to be returned in Treaty settlements. Vast amounts of swamp kauri is heading to China and also Italy, despite court orders to stop all works.

The presence of locked out freezing workers from Talley’s AFFCO in the Moerewa leg of the hikoi was strong. Talley's is a New Zealand company attempting to destroy their worker’s conditions. If faceless overseas companies bought our assets would they care more?

The main street of Kawakawa rang with chants from 200 people of “John Key you’ve got mail, Aotearoa is not for sale” and “Wayne Brown you’ve got mail, Northland’s not for sale” in regard to the Far North District mayor’s cheerleading of mining in the region.

“Mayor Brown, you’re a clown, we don’t want mining in this town”, summed it up.

Whangarei saw a march of 80 people through the town, gathering outside the Far North District Council, then the Northland Regional Council.

A local Whangarei resident, highlighted to the hikoi the plight Northland faced from having the Auckland to Northland railway moth-balled. She also raised concerns about the Whangarei District Council cutting down 100 year old trees unnecessarily to make way for another lane on land that had been gifted to the public.

Speakers criticised both councils for their role in pulling resources out of communities with the most need and centralising them in areas with less need.

On Thursday the hikoi arrives in Auckland. Numbers and momentum are expected to increase for a large march this Saturday 28 April.

ENDS

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