Northlanders join nationwide protests against 1080

Anti-1080 protesters gathered at Mander Park in Whangārei. Photo / Tania Whyte

Hundreds of Northlanders joined their counterparts around the country to protest the use of 1080.

Events were held in Whangārei, Kerikeri, Dargaville, Kawakawa and Kaitaia on Saturday to coincide with events across New Zealand.

In Whangārei protesters gathered at Mander Park and waved signs and umbrellas with messages written on them at passing motorists.

Meanwhile, more than 100 people marched through Kerikeri calling for an end to the use of aerial 1080.

They chanted ''Ban 1080'' and ''Department of Conservation, destroying our nation'' as they marched through the centre of town and back to the Domain for a haka at 1pm, timed to coincide with other mass haka around the country.

Protesters scattered fake 1080, while one carried a giant green pellet instead of a placard to highlight his concerns.

Opposition to 1080 is largely based on claims it kills native animals and birds as well as the pests it targets; poisons domestic animals who ingest it; and gets into waterways.

Counter-claims are that predator pest numbers are so high and the damage they've caused is so severe that without knocking them hard some native forests would soon be beyond repair.

Today's methods and strength of 1080 are safer and more effective than the 1080 used years ago, according to those in favour of its use.