Tauranga climate change marchers told 'don't listen to negative old fossils'

"The seas are rising and so are we."

That was just one of several messages voiced as about 250 Tauranga people, young and old, marched through the city's CBD yesterday to call for greater action on climate change.

The march started at noon at the waterfront by The Strand before weaving to Elizabeth St and then to Willow St where Tauranga City Council's main entrance is.

The march was one of several held throughout New Zealand as part of a national push to highlight the impact of climate change.

Aquinas College students Isaac Jarden, 17, and Zara Barlow, 17, organised the Tauranga march and called for greater access to public transport and more engagement between Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and young people.

Zara told the crowd climate change was everyone's problem.

Hundreds gather at Tauranga's waterfront to begin a march for climate change action. Photo / George Novak

She said for many older people climate change was a myth.

"For us, it's our future. This problem is so much bigger than ourselves."

Isaac said the march was about taking a stand for the planet and they wanted to see real action taken.

Zara and Isaac spoke of pedestrianising Tauranga's CBD and Mount Maunganui's shopping area to help decarbonise the area and of aiming for free fare buses, prompting applause.

The crowd was mixed with representatives of virtually every age group, including 82-year-old Mary Rose.

"I've been a Quaker for a long time and we've been aware of climate change and we are really concerned about the long-term impact of it."

Climate change marchers Mary Rose and Sue Reynolds support younger generations calling for greater action. Photo / George Novak

Rose joined the march, holding a large sign expressing her support for climate concerns.

"I have great-grandchildren concerned about how their world is being set up for them by this changing climate so I fully support the efforts these young people are making. I just hope that the decisions being made by Government and businesses will have a positive impact on the planet."

Friend Sue Reynolds, who marched with Rose, agreed.

"I'm just so aware that we see things on the TV and say 'that's terrible' but we don't do anything about it."

Bay of Plenty Regional Council councillor Stacey Rose formally accepted the demands from organisers of what they wanted to see from local authorities.

Rose, 21, told the crowd that as the youngest elected member on the council hearing what the youth voice had to say was "actually quite a deep thing for myself, personally".

"These demands mean a lot more than just an envelope with a piece of paper in them. They will mean a voice for you guys and I highly encourage you, if you want to come, to a council meeting. Do not be afraid ... speak your voice.

"Climate change is huge. It's something Bay of Plenty Regional Council is very serious about and we plan to push harder and faster."

Security worker Chimmyma Kiriona said the march, organised by teenagers, was "heartwarming" and told the crowd "you are our future and you are our hope".

"Don't listen to negative old fossils."

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller, Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez March and Bay of Plenty-based list MP Angie Warren-Clark were among those in the crowd as speeches got under way.

Hundreds descend on Tauranga City Council's main office to call for greater action on climate change. Photo / George Novak

Warren-Clark, who is on the Environmental Labour caucus, said it was important to listen to the concerns and the Government had made "significant changes" such as the Zero Carbon Bill and declaring a climate emergency.

"The important thing is we keep going. Everyone has a role to play."

Muller said it was great to support the march.

"It will be their world soon enough and the more passion for a better global environment the better."

Menendez March said the march showed young people had a clear message that needed to be listened to.

Regional council chief executive Fiona McTavish said they would be happy to meet with march representatives and invite them to the next Strategy and Policy council meeting to discuss the "best way to combat climate change together".

The march was a "prime opportunity" for the council to listen and share information, McTavish said.

In 2019 the regional council declared a climate emergency and created a targeted action plan.

Tauranga City Council commissioner chairwoman Anne Tolley said very much welcomed a meeting with the organisers.

"In May we are seeking submissions from the community on our draft long term plan and we want to hear specifically from young people on their priorities."

Tolley said sustainability and climate change "are rightly very important issues to young people, as they should be, and they are to council too".

The council was working on "a number of fronts" to reduce the organisation's and city's carbon footprints, she said.