"I understand they have issues with the Tauranga Moana claim and I respect their right to peaceful protest, but it's a damn silly thing to be doing, putting kids without lifejackets in front of a 50,000-tonne vessel. They are enormous vessels.
"Not only are they putting their own lives at risk, think back to five years ago with the environmental consequences of the Rena running aground. These ships can't stop. If they have to shut the engines off, it would hit the centre bank."
The Port had contacted the police, who had travelled with the Harbourmaster to speak to protesters, Mr Cairns said.
He said if the protest was to be repeated and if the protesters impeded shipping movements or put lives at risk, there would be strong action.
There had been no delays of shipping movements during the protest and one ship had managed to enter the harbour despite the flotilla.
Ngai Te Rangi chairman Charlie Tawhiao alleges a secret deal has been struck between Hauraki tribes and the Crown that could hand over areas traditionally controlled by Tauranga iwi to outside interests.
"That was when we agreed that blockading the port would give us maximum impact. The point of civil disobedience is to draw attention, it is not to break the law for the sake of breaking law," Mr Tawhiao said.
"But what we are doing here now is not breaking the law."
Mr Tawhiao said he was "really proud of the people who have been willing to put themselves out there".
"They are making the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all of us."
Mr Tawhiao was concerned to hear there were children on the boats without life jackets and said he was not aware of any child not wearing one.
He said there was an intense safety briefing in place and he would be concerned if anyone was not taking health and safety seriously.
Mr Tawhiao said the iwi had no issue with the port.
"They are just a means by which we need our message heard. Our beef is not with the port."
He expected more ships and people at Saturday's protest.
"We will continue to do this until we get a reasonable response."
Calling the protest "silly behaviour" did not sit well with Mr Tawhiao. "It is not helpful. It is going to make things a lot more difficult for us to control and manage the many people who are going to be on the water on Saturday."
Mr Tawhiao believed protesters acted responsibly today. "But it is not just our responsibility to act with care."
He was aware of the environmental disasters Mr Cairns referred to and was not planning a "staredown".
"It is our right to protest peacefully. In a way, this is exactly what we are protesting . . . another iwi wants to come in an assert ownership on our harbour."
Mr Tawhiao said the iwi's natural preference was to resolve the issue through negotiation and discussion.
A spokesperson for Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Chris Finlayson told the Bay of Plenty Times there had been no secret deal.
"It is simply wrong. No secret deal has been made."
The spokesperson said proposed arrangements for the Tauranga Moana Governance Group, part of the Tauranga Moana Framework, provided for four seats for Tauranga Moana iwi (this includes Ngai Te Rangi), one seat for iwi of Hauraki (and any other iwi with recognised interests in the Tauranga Moana catchment) and five seats for local government.
The Waitangi Tribunal confirmed in 2004 that iwi of Hauraki had customary interests in Tauranga Moana, particularly in the Te Puna and Katikati area, the spokesperson said.
"The Minister also understands there are rumours of a deed signing for Pare Hauraki. No date has been set for any such signing. Officials informed Tauranga iwi of that fact last week."
Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Zane Smith said police worked with a range of partners today to ensure the protest happened in an orderly and safe manner.
No vessels were impeded coming in or out of the harbour and no arrests were made.
Police were aware there may be further protest action and should this occur Police would work with all parties involved to keep everyone safe.
The Hauraki Collective Redress Deed, which was initialled in December, is available to view online at https://www.govt.nz/treaty-settlement-documents/hauraki/.
