Some local businesses say customers were being scared away. Photo / Christine Cornege
Some local businesses say customers were being scared away. Photo / Christine Cornege
Protesters removed from disputed land in the Far North have been given formal warnings but will not face charges.
Nine protesters were arrested and removed from land at Taipa Pt, 30km northeast of Kaitaia, owned by the Far North District Council.
They had camped at the site for several weeksto protest over ownership of the land.
Police area commander Inspector Chris Scahill said the nine arrested had been formally warned as part of the trespass notices.
"We are releasing all nine without charge," Mr Scahill said.
Ngati Kahu protesters moved on to the land and reportedly stopped boaties using the launching ramp.
The Taipa Sailing Club also abandoned some summer courses for young sailors because of the protest.
The group said it was protesting against the council retaining ownership of the land.
Mr Scahill said the arrests were made without hostility. "It was all very peaceful and straightforward."
After the group was removed, the council demolished structures erected at the site and cleaned up debris.
A group of about 40 originally refused to leave despite a visit from the Crown's chief Treaty negotiator for the area, Pat Snedden.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson said part of Mr Snedden's role was explaining to wider iwi groups how the settlement process worked.
"Illegal occupations of private or council-owned land are not part of that process."
Ngati Kahu and four other Far North iwi signed an agreement in principle with the Crown in January but its negotiator Margaret Mutu has supported the occupiers' actions.
Brothers John and Wikatana Popata, who were convicted for assaulting Prime Minister John Key on Waitangi Day in 2009, led the occupation.
The action has caused friction in the local community - as well as the boating club calling off race days, local businesses, including a resort owner, said the group was scaring customers away.
The Popata brothers have maintained they were not blocking access, but simply wanted people to seek permission before entering the reserve.
