Kaitaia Airport stays on police radar

Protest organiser Hone Popata packs up after an occupation at Kaitaia Airport. Photo / Edward Rooney

Police will maintain a presence at Kaitaia Airport following an occupation there this week that halted flights for two days.

Police moved in on Wednesday afternoon to evict Ngati Kahu protesters led by brothers Wi and Hone Popata.

Six people - five men and one woman, aged from 38 and 88 - who refused to leave were arrested and charged with wilful trespass. They appeared in the Kaitaia District Court and have been bailed to reappear on September 17.

Far North area commander Inspector Wendy Robilliard said police were staying in close contact with airport management. Officers would visit the airport regularly, particularly when flights were arriving and departing.

The Advocate understands the police presence is due to continue for a month. An officer was on hand when a Kaitaia Hospital flight arrived yesterday morning.

Ms Robilliard was satisfied with the police operation and the way the occupation had ended peacefully, with no one injured and no property damaged.

The police approach at Kaitaia Airport was in contrast to that adopted during the occupation of a Taipa reserve five years ago.

Ms Robilliard said police spent more than a day talking with the protesters to try to resolve the situation.

"When it became apparent that they weren't going to leave we had to take action. This was because the airport provides an essential service to Kaitaia residents, particularly the flights carrying specialist medical staff and supplies."

The airport occupation also had the potential to escalate into a long-lasting protest by a much larger group, she said.

Meanwhile, just 10 patients needed paediatrics or speech appointments rescheduled after the cancellation of a Wednesday morning flight that had been due to take five specialists to Kaitaia Hospital.

Two of the specialists travelled to Kaitaia by car.

Because the rescue helicopter lands at the hospital, not the airport, emergency transfers were not at risk.

A district health board spokeswoman said disruption was minimised by close co-operation with partner agencies, particularly the Far North District Council. The board was pleased the occupation had been resolved and health services were no longer affected.