The protest banners were out in full force yesterday to let the Government know Flaxmere doesn't want the country's newest probation centre smack bang in the middle of their town.
Protesters marched around the centre of Flaxmere's township during the morning, then took up a site which has been earmarked by
the Department of Corrections as the most suitable place for a new probation centre.
Community leaders took turns to speak to the crowd as cars drove passed and tooted their horns in support. Among the speakers were protest organisers and Flaxmere community councillors Henare O'Keefe and Keriana Poulain.
Others to grab the loud speaker included MAC rugby club stalwart Anthony Morley, Community Max programme supervisor Grant Geenwood and Hastings woman Brittany Kershaw.
``The perception that Flaxmere is a bad place is actually worse outside of Flaxmere than what it is in the community,'' Ms Kershaw said. ``Whanau and friends know that Flaxmere is not a bad place but it is perceived that way by others living outside of the community.
``If you read into what everyone outside of the community is saying, it's that the crims come from Flaxmere therefore we should keep them there. That's not on.''
Mr Greenwood said he grew up in Flaxmere, his parents still lived in the suburb and they were still passionate about the place.
``I look after the Community Max programme at Te Aranga Marae [in Flaxmere] and I have had some young people out there _ it's proving a positive thing for them and for Flaxmere,'' he said.
Community Max supported projects which benefited the community or the environment.
``It's keeping our rangatahi off the streets and giving them something positive to look forward to, that's what we need in Flaxmere, not a corrections centre,'' he said.
Flaxmere Planning Committee deputy chairman Nigel Woodley said the community agreed there were people in Flaxmere who needed a probation centre but not where extensive redevelopment was planned.
``We hope this message will be relayed as far as Government and the Department of Corrections,'' he said. ``There is strong public opinion that we do not want this centre right in the heart of our suburb.''
