Northlanders plan more public meetings on Tegel's chicken farm plan

More public meetings are planned in Kaipara to oppose Tegel's plan for a broiler chicken farm in Arapohue. Photo / Supplied

Northlanders opposed to a proposed broiler chicken farm are organising two more public meetings as they feel there are more people who are still unaware of the business venture.

About 140 people attended the third public meeting on Wednesday evening at Dargaville High School where details about Tegel Food's proposal were outlined and those who attended were urged to make submissions.

Tegel wants to set up a broiler chicken farm in Arapohue which could stock up to 1.3 million birds and employ 32 people.

Public submissions on resource consents lodged with the Kaipara District Council and the Northland Regional Council close on March 7 but those opposed to the farm want the deadline extended.

Karen Exley, one of the meeting organisers, said a lot of people who turned up at Dargaville High School on Wednesday heard of Tegel's plan through stories in the Northern Advocate.

"People called for more meetings so that more people are informed about it. We had submission forms which they filled out and also took away to give to their neighbours and others in their community."

Mrs Exley said the next meeting would be held at 7pm on Monday at the Coronation Hall in Te Kopuru, followed by another at 7.30pm at Dargaville High School on Tuesday.

She said meeting organisers sent letters to both councils on February 19 requesting an extension of deadline for public submissions but were waiting for a response.