٠٠:٠٤:٠٢Thousands of environmental activists gathered in Auckland on Saturday to protest against a bill that would allow the government to speed up the approval process for major development projects.
"This last strike bill is anti-democratic. It goes against New Zealand's legislative process," said Clin, a protester. "They're trying to push through a bill which will harm New Zealand's nature, unique nature, and without any consultation with the public, it's extremely undemocratic, it's unfair".
As part of a coalition deal between NZ First and National, the Fast-track Approvals Bill was introduced in March as part of the government's 100-day plan. This would allow infrastructure projects to bypass multiple approvals, including resource, marine and aquaculture permits, land access under the Crown Minerals Act and approvals under the Wildlife, Conservation and Reserve Acts.
Footage shows the protesters playing instruments, dancing and marching while holding signs with messages such as 'Fast track? Ransack', 'Business wants clarity not disparity' and 'Fast track is wrong track’ among others. A protester dressed as a kiwi bird was also seen during the protest, holding a sign that read 'Don’t let me go extinct!'.
"That's not what New Zealand stands for. It's the national government fast-tracking these things just so they can have money as a priority and sacrifice the environment," said protester Paul.
The 'March for Nature' protest, organised by various environmental groups including Greenpeace and Forest & Bird, is calling for the withdrawal of the Fast Track Approvals Bill, which is currently at the select committee stage, according to media reports.
"We'd like to stop mining on conservation land, but there's no reason to do that in 2024," said Morgan, another protester. "There's enough gold already extracted from the ground to last humankind forever, and there is no need to dig it up apart from greed from companies."
The bill is at the select committee stage. Over six weeks, more than a thousand submissions from 550 organisations and 550 people will reportedly be heard. The committee will report back with recommendations on 7 September.
Auckland Transport warned visitors to expect road closures and traffic in the city centre between 12 pm and 4pm local time today.
'Extremely undemocratic, unfair' — Auckland environmentalists demand withdrawal of 'fast-track approvals' bill
Thousands of environmental activists gathered in Auckland on Saturday to protest against a bill that would allow the government to speed up the approval process for major development projects.
"This last strike bill is anti-democratic. It goes against New Zealand's legislative process," said Clin, a protester. "They're trying to push through a bill which will harm New Zealand's nature, unique nature, and without any consultation with the public, it's extremely undemocratic, it's unfair".
As part of a coalition deal between NZ First and National, the Fast-track Approvals Bill was introduced in March as part of the government's 100-day plan. This would allow infrastructure projects to bypass multiple approvals, including resource, marine and aquaculture permits, land access under the Crown Minerals Act and approvals under the Wildlife, Conservation and Reserve Acts.
Footage shows the protesters playing instruments, dancing and marching while holding signs with messages such as 'Fast track? Ransack', 'Business wants clarity not disparity' and 'Fast track is wrong track’ among others. A protester dressed as a kiwi bird was also seen during the protest, holding a sign that read 'Don’t let me go extinct!'.
"That's not what New Zealand stands for. It's the national government fast-tracking these things just so they can have money as a priority and sacrifice the environment," said protester Paul.
The 'March for Nature' protest, organised by various environmental groups including Greenpeace and Forest & Bird, is calling for the withdrawal of the Fast Track Approvals Bill, which is currently at the select committee stage, according to media reports.
"We'd like to stop mining on conservation land, but there's no reason to do that in 2024," said Morgan, another protester. "There's enough gold already extracted from the ground to last humankind forever, and there is no need to dig it up apart from greed from companies."
The bill is at the select committee stage. Over six weeks, more than a thousand submissions from 550 organisations and 550 people will reportedly be heard. The committee will report back with recommendations on 7 September.
Auckland Transport warned visitors to expect road closures and traffic in the city centre between 12 pm and 4pm local time today.
Thousands of environmental activists gathered in Auckland on Saturday to protest against a bill that would allow the government to speed up the approval process for major development projects.
"This last strike bill is anti-democratic. It goes against New Zealand's legislative process," said Clin, a protester. "They're trying to push through a bill which will harm New Zealand's nature, unique nature, and without any consultation with the public, it's extremely undemocratic, it's unfair".
As part of a coalition deal between NZ First and National, the Fast-track Approvals Bill was introduced in March as part of the government's 100-day plan. This would allow infrastructure projects to bypass multiple approvals, including resource, marine and aquaculture permits, land access under the Crown Minerals Act and approvals under the Wildlife, Conservation and Reserve Acts.
Footage shows the protesters playing instruments, dancing and marching while holding signs with messages such as 'Fast track? Ransack', 'Business wants clarity not disparity' and 'Fast track is wrong track’ among others. A protester dressed as a kiwi bird was also seen during the protest, holding a sign that read 'Don’t let me go extinct!'.
"That's not what New Zealand stands for. It's the national government fast-tracking these things just so they can have money as a priority and sacrifice the environment," said protester Paul.
The 'March for Nature' protest, organised by various environmental groups including Greenpeace and Forest & Bird, is calling for the withdrawal of the Fast Track Approvals Bill, which is currently at the select committee stage, according to media reports.
"We'd like to stop mining on conservation land, but there's no reason to do that in 2024," said Morgan, another protester. "There's enough gold already extracted from the ground to last humankind forever, and there is no need to dig it up apart from greed from companies."
The bill is at the select committee stage. Over six weeks, more than a thousand submissions from 550 organisations and 550 people will reportedly be heard. The committee will report back with recommendations on 7 September.
Auckland Transport warned visitors to expect road closures and traffic in the city centre between 12 pm and 4pm local time today.