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A hikoi against deep sea oil exploration off the far north is heading for Waitangi.
Marchers went in relays yesterday down Te Oneroa a Tohe – Ninety Mile Beach from Te Rerenga Wairua – Cape Reinga yesterday morning to Ahipara.
At 10 this morning they are due to walk through Kaitaia.
Further marches are planned for Rawene, Kaikohe, Moerewa and Kawakawa before the hikoi arrives in Waitangi about noon on Thursday.
Organiser Mike Smith says there is widespread concern in the region about Norwegion state oil company Statoil’s seismic oil exploration off western Northland and the way the Government bulldozed deep sea oil permits through.
Ngati Hine leader Pita Tipene says the broader public was locked out of the decision making process by the government, and consultation consisted of a letter to iwi runanga and some presentations at hui that were patronising and evasive.
He says last year’s finding by the Waitangi Tribunal that Ngapuhi never ceded sovereignty means it is coastal hapu who should make the decision, not the government.
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