Group protests underwater turbines

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Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:17a.m.

Protesters outside Crest in Mt Eden, Auckland

Protesters outside Crest in Mt Eden, Auckland

By Brook Sabin

A small group of protestors has gathered outside Crest Energy in Auckland, objecting to a plan to put 200 turbines underwater in the Kaipara Harbour.

The scheme has conditional approval from the Government.

The group argues the turbines will have a profound impact on the underwater ecosystem in the harbour, but the Government says the implementation will be staged, and a number of precautions are being taken so that damage doesn't occur.

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Comments

16 Aug 2011 11:10a.m.

icarus wrote:

Mr Popata mentions in the news article that he is happy to embrace wind energy ... his people have signed an agreement with Meridian for a large wind farm on north Kaipara Head in direct competition with the tidal turbine power station in the Harbour ... a conflict perhaps?

16 Aug 2011 08:30a.m.

atrout wrote:

@Osprey... if you'd do a little research you'd find that sticking solar panels on big buildings costs more in dollars AND environmental damage than larger scale projects such as the turbine scheme. (which is also yet to prove its viability). It would probably get way up your nose but if you'd look at any so-called Eco-homes you'd find that it they only affordable for those people who have no financial need for enviro solutions. Eco homes are generally at the high end of the market and are ego bling for the owners. Sadly, this leaves NZ's most economically disadvantaged in housing which is of poor quality and relatively much more expensive to heat/maintain than rich folks' houses. The turbines are likely to benefit all electricity consumers, including low income people. Solar panels on high rises would benefit only those people who can afford high end inner city luxury. It is madness to state that the turbines threaten an entire ecosystem. Before you start to save the planet you have to tells us which one you are on.

15 Aug 2011 06:56p.m.

Osprey wrote:

If "WE NEED POWER" why doesn't all Auckland highriser buildings have solar panels? or even better yet, why doesn't every household have solar panels? Why do we need to invest in something that is "good for whole of New Zealand" that is privately owned? For us living on New Zealand's largest harbour we would we like New Zealand to invest in New Zealand not a some offshore company. We are all for renewable energy but not at the sacrifice of an entire ecosystem...this is not renewable energy or a so-called "green" initiative. This is an experiment.

15 Aug 2011 06:56p.m.

Osprey wrote:

If "WE NEED POWER" why doesn't all Auckland highriser buildings have solar panels? or even better yet, why doesn't every household have solar panels? Why do we need to invest in something that is "good for whole of New Zealand" that is privately owned? For us living on New Zealand's largest harbour we would we like New Zealand to invest in New Zealand not a some offshore company. We are all for renewable energy but not at the sacrifice of an entire ecosystem...this is not renewable energy or a so-called "green" initiative. This is an experiment.

15 Aug 2011 09:09a.m.

Geoff Green wrote:

Interesting comments on the video. Haven't we already been down the wind turbine track and that was rejected by local iwi? I think people need to be realistic- WE NEED POWER and surely something that is good for the whole of NZ (ie renewable energy) is good for everyone inlcuding tangatawhenua. My understanding is that there is a staged installation, after each stage, the project is reviewed by expert scientists and Northland Regional Council- if there is negative effect, it'll be stopped. Seems very reasonable to me. Realistically, what's the other option- a Nuclear Power Plant- no thank you.

15 Aug 2011 09:07a.m.

atrout wrote:

@Rewiri... I truly feel sorry for your wasted efforts on the turbines. Someone has obviously told you that the ToW gave rights to different sectors of our community on a differential basis. The ToW didn't do that. It did give equal citizenship to Maori and immigrant alike and it protected the right of Maori to retain land and resources until the owners wished to alienate them. To protest against turbines on the basis that nonMaori have no rights of citizenship (sovereignty) and that they are acting against the laws of the land by acquiring the right to install the turbines is patently silly. To also claim that the turbines will destroy the environment is also patently silly. They will be installed incrementally and any negative effects will be picked up in the monitoring process. The reason why I feel sad about your mis-informed protest is that you will carry this grievance mentality into old age. Read the treaty again with open eyes. Your rights are the same as mine and we both should make the best use of what our country has to offer. Even better than more reading I can suggest that you and your mates go fishing. In fact meet up with some Pakeha mates and go fishing where the turbines are going to go. Do that now and then over the next few years and I'll bet you a dozen DB that the fishing improves a lot as time goes by. And you might just be a much happier chap too. Cheers.

14 Aug 2011 03:19p.m.

atrout wrote:

A very dim group of protesters indeed. Which century would they like us to live in? And what other environmentally responsible initiatives would they like to protest against. Quite likely they are looking for some sort of pay off in the future to modify their opposition. Include us in the proposal, pay us something worthwhile and we'll magically approve of this energy source.

14 Aug 2011 01:48p.m.

rewiri tarapata wrote:

although a small contingent of protestors in their physical presents all of our and their ancestors were there in support of keeping the life forces of the Kaipara alive for tomorrow

14 Aug 2011 01:38p.m.

Rewiri Tarapata wrote:

what they want is the Kaipara and its currents to flow freely without being obstructed by the greed of a majority, this current system has no thought for the future of its eco system and the resoures within the Kaipara we Tangatawhenua consider taonga tuku iho...you don't think outside of your wallets or your pockets as long as it satisfies to control and manipulate outsiders for their support that does not include benefitting our or even your future generation... you tend to sacrifice the minority for the benefit of the majority and yet it is the minority who are the true sovereign of this country not the present unconstituted govt and their illegal laws that you the ignorant tend to stand by them in support their greedy habits

14 Aug 2011 12:31p.m.

rewiri tarapata wrote:

we are tangatawhenua we know our eco system, we know what the unconstituted govt here in Aotearoa is up to, this land is if you don't know and should know; Maori customary titled land unextinguished. We are the landlords and you are the visitors/tenants. If you don't comply with the TOW 1840 and the DOI 1830 you will be sacked without notice by the Maori Parliament(the only sovereign in our land) and with the support from your own constituted Sovereign. this is your first warning. If you don't support your host then you shud leave and distroy your own eco system as long as it does not effect our land and country... you will be removed once we have control of what is ours. your ignorance is by choice which has no place in this time. we are very patient people, you know your laws, we know your laws and we are protected by them so you and the govt better wake up to these facts...no excuses. Mana supporter hard