Slow convoy protest on SH1

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A protest convoy of slow-moving vehicles is planned on State Highway 1, near Warkworth, by residents who do not want to become part of the Auckland Super City.

The convoy is mooted for next Friday afternoon to travel 18km from the Northern Gateway tunnels to Kowhai Park, Warkworth, leaving Puhoi at about 3.40pm.

"We are hoping for quite a lot of vehicles and led by a tractor or a horse and cart," said Dennis Brown, of the Northern Action Group.

"It might take 30 to 40 minutes. Our goal is not to inconvenience the public but to get a resolution."

A Waitemata police district spokesman said last night that Rodney Police and the Highway Patrol would monitor the protest to ensure it was within the law and safe. Protesters would be expected to pull over to let faster vehicles pass.

Mr Brown said the group had been fobbed off by the Government which had ignored their wish for Warkworth and Wellsford to be transferred from the Rodney District Council to the Kaipara District Council.

That aim was backed by 6500 signatures on a petition presented to Speaker and Rodney MP Lockwood Smith and Northland MP and Auckland Governance Select Committee chairman John Carter.

Labour list MP Darien Fenton said she would sponsor the group's amendment to the Third Auckland Bill so northern Rodney could be left out.

"They have a right to be heard and make sure the democratic process has been followed closely," she said.