Waiheke Island marina: Arrested protesters plead not guilty rnz.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rnz.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Mānuka said she did not accept or recognise the trespass zone. Mell also attempted to climb on the construction barge and faced an additional charge of intentional damage for throwing a loudhailer, belonging to the marina developers, into the sea.
Josephine Franks/Stuff
The two people facing charges had a crowd of supporters at Auckland District Court. Mānuka and Mell are part of Protect Pūtiki, a Ngāti Pāoa-led group opposing plans for a marina. The group has been occupying the beach for more than 100 days and has vowed to stay there indefinitely. Speaking to the court, Mānuka said being criminally charged for “swimming in the ocean after karakia” was an “absurdity and a waste of taxpayer money”.