Arrests Made After Mahanga Bay Occupation
Police have arrested six people during an operation to
clear occupiers from a
site at Mahanga Bay.
Police
had issued a trespass notice to the occupiers on 24 May (on
behalf of
NIWA and LINZ), which took effect on the
evening of 25 May.
Fresh appeals were made by Police
to the approximately 15 occupiers this
morning for them
to leave the area.
Most did so without incident,
however six people were arrested – four for
trespass,
one for obstruction, and one on a warrant.
Court dates are yet to be confirmed.
Police earlier escorted people back into the site to retrieve their property.
Contractors will be used to assist in
clearing the site once this process
is
complete.
Property will be stored securely off
site and arrangements made for owners to
retrieve
it.
Once the site is cleared, it will be returned to the owners.
Police have also worked to connect the
occupiers with Kahungungu Whānau
Services, to ensure the
appropriate support is in place for those who may
need it
going
forward.