Highway rebuild work halted as protesters barricade coastal road near Kaikōura

Tuesday, 18 February 2020

Occupation ō Mangamaunu started on February 2.

Kaikōura residents concerned coastal roadworks could be running roughshod over sacred sites have put a temporary stop to construction by barricading a road.

The protesters, who broke away from community group Protect Our Unique Kaikōura Coast, have been occupying the Kiwi Rd intersection with State Highway 1 since February 2, over what they believe is the 'desecration' of the coast.

Occupiers at Kiwa Rd in Kaikōura blocked the State Highway 1 intersection on Monday.

The North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery alliance (NCTIR) was scheduled to commence 'safety upgrades' at Kiwa Rd on February 3, but work never started.

The occupation, called Occupation ō Mangamaunu, intensified on Monday when protesters, after hearing works were set to start, used three vehicles to block access to Kiwa Rd.

Sharon Rayner is leading the stand to protect sacred sites on Kiwa Rd.

Kaikōura locals are ready for battle as they feel ongoing road works are spoiling the 'raw beauty' of the once-rugged coastline.

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Sharon Rayner says tūpuna extends beyond the fenced urupā boundaries.

Protesters were redirecting residents through an alternative route on Station Rd until NCTIR blocked that entrance with concrete slabs on Monday night.

NZ Transport Agency manager Colin Knaggs said NCTIR crew had been diverted onto other work until a 'clear way forward' could be established between rūnanga, Kaikōura District Council, occupiers and NCTIR.

The North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery alliance planned to start 'safety upgrades' at Kiwa Rd on February 3

Knaggs said they put the concrete blocks in place for 'immediate public safety' as Station Rd crossed a 'construction-managed' level rail crossing which was not approved for public use.

Police received two reports of protesters blocking the Kiwa Rd intersection on Monday. They were assisting with traffic management.

The occupation at the intersection of Kiwa Rd and State Highway 1 in Kaikōura.

Sharon Rayner, of Ngāti Kurī, who was leading the stand to protect sacred sites, said they had received information that works were commencing on Monday.

This prompted them to put the road block in place. They had no plans to reopen Kiwa Rd.

Kaikōura residents, from left, Sharon Rayner, Hannah Timms and Miriama Teahipuhia Allen have camped out near Kiwa Rd to protest new roadworks.

'It will remain closed to restore the whenua, urupā and tūpuna as one and return tapu to the area.'

Rayner said the decision to occupy was about their history and families.

Tūpuna extended beyond the fenced cemetery boundaries, with ancestors buried where works were planned, she said.

'They just want to bulldoze over the top of it and desecrate more of our sacred areas.

'This occupation is also a stand to expose the continuous disrespect and disregard inflicted during this rebuild process.'

Occupation came after three years of rebuild works, following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake which hit Kaikōura in November 2016.

The Earthquake Emergency Legislation, which was enacted after the Kaikōura earthquake in 2016, resulted in the community's 'voice and rights' being taken away, Rayner said.

Work to rebuild road and rail was expected to wrap up in late 2019, but had been pushed out to late 2020.

In January, there was $80 million worth of construction to go, which would cover 76 'essential works' left for the rebuild.

Occupiers wanted NCTIR to reopen an alternative route through Station Rd.

Since Station Rd had been blocked, they were letting residents through at Kiwa Rd but redirecting tourists. Surfers were parking on the road and walking down to the breaks.

Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle said he could not 'pass judgement' as it was not a council-led process.

'While I understand this is a sensitive situation for all involved, I remain positive that all parties will be able to find a way forward,' he said.

'I have been in touch with those involved and council is here to support our partners and community members as needed.'

The safety upgrades planned for Kiwa Rd included the state highway area being widened by one lane to allow for a new right turning bay for northbound traffic.

The intersection would be slightly lifted and widened to create space for the turning bay and to allow for a safer left-hand turn into Kiwa Rd from the north.

The existing wooden railing on the seaward side of the bend would remain. On the inland side of the road edge, new concrete kerb and channel would be laid.

Protester Tim Hawkins said they were 'holding fast'.

They were calling for consultation before planning and decision-making, not 'dictation during construction'.

'That's how democracy works,' he said.

Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura was approached for comment.