Across the country last weekend, thousands of people turned out to join the March for Nature protests to show their opposition to the Prime Minister’s Fast-Track Approval Bill.
Tākaka was no exception, with an estimated 200 people gathering at the Village Green to add their voices to the protest.
The fast-track bill is designed to speed up the process of consenting major projects, such as transport initiatives and housing developments. Protesters say that they are concerned that this means that these projects will be fast-tracked at the cost of the environment or against expert advice.
Some Tākaka residents have expressed concerns online that fast-tracked developments could undermine New Zealand’s largest fresh-water springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs, while others are concerned about the environmental impacts of a proposed gold mining project at Sam’s Creek in the Cobb Valley.
Mazarine Fitzgerald, a resident of the Tākaka cohousing neighbourhood, joined the march because she says that people there “really nurture our nature”.
“The turnout was great, including many young people, and the atmosphere was vibrant with drums, chanting, and singing,” she says.
“The event highlighted the impactful power of collective action. Let’s keep the gold in Golden Bay! We want a better path, not a faster track.”
