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'.
Once they reached the company's headquarters, Ngati Manu spokesman Arapeta Hamilton read a statement in Maori and English over a loudhailer.
A security guard prevented him from entering the offices to deliver the group's proclamation but chief executive Andy Nock came out to accept it and greet the kuia, including Mrs McIntyre, with kisses on the cheeks. The same proclamation was delivered to the Northland Regional and Far North District councils and Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson.
Mr Hamilton said he was pleased Mr Nock had fronted up to the protest.
A cultural impact assessment had been carried out as part of the resource consent application but neither Ngati Manu nor Te Kapotai had signed it. Ngati Manu and its hapu would lodge an appeal with the Environment Court by the end of this week, he said.
"We've been fighting the local councils for over 30 years to clean up the river because it's a taonga (treasure) of my people. It has fed us and looked after us for centuries. It was known by our ancestors as the life blood of the local people, but some Europeans view it as a resource to be exploited," he said.