January 29, 2021
Nothing to fear from roadside COVID stop
Ngāpuhi chair Wane Wharerau says he can’t understand why people may be upset by iwi checkpoints.
Police yesterday shut down a checkpoint on state highway one at Waiōmio run by Hone Harawira’s Tai Tokerau Border Control, citing traffic safety.
But the group continues to operate checkpoints near Dargaville and Kaikohe to give travellers to the north information about precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the location of testing sites.
Mr Wharerau says comments he has heard about the Waiōmio checkpoint seemed positive.
"I thought people were beyond being intimidated by our whānau. They are trying their best just to inform people to be careful. If you don't need to travel north, please turn back. That's been the consistent message even in the last level three coronavirus event in November," he says.
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