Emma McIntyre went on her first protest march at the tender age of 85.
The kuia from Karetu, east of Kawakawa, was one of about two dozen protesters voicing their concerns about pollution in the Taumarere River, which flows into the Bay of Islands, and plans to expand Opua Marina. Yesterday's march was sparked by a regional council decision to grant Far North Holdings a consent to expand the marina from 250 berths to 420.
Mrs McIntyre and Parehuia Tangira, also 85, were worried about the state of the awa (river) and the pollution a bigger marina could bring.
"We said, 'Before we end our lives we're going to go on a protest'. It could be our last," she said.
She was pleased her first protest march had been peaceful and good-natured. The group of mainly Ngati Manu members started their hikoi at Opua Hall and made their way around the waterfront to Far North Holdings' offices, singing and carrying placards with slogans such as 'Stop stealing our river'.