Tauranga residents concerned about what they are calling "a loss of democracy" in New Zealand are marching in protest.
A group of protesters marched to Tauranga's Red Square in the central city on Sunday.
Photos: Daniel Hines.
The Tauranga ‘Kiwis Connect Demo 4 Democracy' march from The Strand is part of a nationwide campaign encouraging concerned citizens and activists to protest against the New Zealand Government.
Bay of Plenty activist Michael Morris says foreign control, corporate takeover of education, asset sales, destructive oil drilling and mining, drug testing on animals and the GCSB bill are destroying the country's future.
'I think that we're just starting to see the Government in its true colours.”
Protestors met at Tauranga's Waterfront and marched to Red Square holding signs marked with the words "Demo 4 DEMOcracy.
People power not corporate control" and "stop destroying Aotearoa". Marches are also taking place in Whangarei, Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch. More than 85 guests accepted the invite on the Demo 4 Democracy Facebook page.
Hundreds of protestors took to the streets of Tauranga last month to march against the testing of party pills on animals. Marches were held nationwide with protestors marching against the Psychoactive Substances Bill aiming to regulate the sale of party pills and synthetic cannabis.
7 comments
Rastus
Posted on 01-09-2013 15:28 | By rastus
I have many concerns too, but the moment I see the 'Greens' involved I just don't want to be tarred with that brush.
People Power
Posted on 01-09-2013 17:11 | By space cadet
Losing our Democracy. Really? When did that start? When exactly did we have a democracy where 'the people' (you know , the people that live on the land who's rights are superior) prevail over the corporate interests,big money and self serving pollys etc.etc?
NZ ???
Posted on 01-09-2013 18:22 | By rotovend
it appears they have the right to protest?? NZers go and live in other countries all over the world that already have similar laws it was bound to happen. I would think individuals and governments are already watching us as the satellites in the sky would allow for that and if people want to earn more money then companies get more control simple really. If we buy only NZ made we can reduce our outside dependence but I cant see that happening its the real world and people want cars and phones and so on. the hysteria over being watched and listened to is more of a political con than a reality
Quite bizarre
Posted on 01-09-2013 19:20 | By Mike Kuipers von Lande
It's quite bizarre that these protesters, while worried about the loss of democracy, promote the very issues that have and are causing it. Since when was NZ known as 'Aotearoa' as per their signs? Answer, never, even in the days when the land was partly colonised by hundreds of savage little tribes fighting each other. It is a term foisted on us without public democratic support. And the worst form of democratic loss has and is the promotion of racist 'tribal' rights and privilege against the remainder of the population. All other issues are minor in comparison to this. Until this loss of democracy is dealt with and rectified these protesters are showing themselves to be part of the problem, not a solution.
Right on Rastus
Posted on 01-09-2013 19:59 | By Fonzie
The greens are protesting thats me out
Democracy gone
Posted on 01-09-2013 23:05 | By Croaky
Great to see people turning out and speaking up. this government hasn't listened to the people's voice on Asset Sales, the GCSB, GE, the referendum on MMP, mining...the list goes on. So no, we don't have true democracy here in New Zealand - but the Government will nod paternalistically and say "oh, but look, you've got a right to protest!" - yeah, but that's about all we've got left!!!!
People Power
Posted on 02-09-2013 16:16 | By space cadet
@croaky. Interesting remark 'we don't have a true democracy'. Did we ever have (in NZ) indeed? Are we not now witnessing the greatest democracy in the modern world crumbling before our very eyes? Democracy is a system of government that almost inevitably destroys itself but is the most palatable choice for the greater number so it keeps the greater number believing they have a say in matters for the longest possible time. And of course, there is the wonderful two party only demoncratic system which keeps people focused on any subject you would like them to squabble over and at the same time be able to deliver a predetermined result no matter whether it is red or blue, republic or democrat, conservative or labour. Study history, study history. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft. Winston Churchill
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