Protest signs vanish for Key visit

WHAT THE PM MISSED: The West Wind protesters' signs.

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Makara locals are furious after signs protesting against Meridian Energy's West Wind project were mysteriously removed apparently in case they were spotted by Prime Minister John Key.

"It's terrible. This is New Zealand, not Zimbabwe," Makara farmer Graeme Hook said.

Police are investigating and have spoken to a Meridian subcontractor.

Mr Key was driven to the wind farm near Makara yesterday to throw a switch marking its official start-up. Earlier, Mr Hook gave permission for Lynne and Dean Carter to place protest signs on a fence outside his home.

"We knew Mr Key was going and we wanted him to know Makara people are totally opposed to the wind farm," Mrs Carter said. However, not long after the signs were placed on the fence, they were whisked away.

Mrs Carter saw two people in a white ute removing the hoardings.

Signs were also taken from outside Mr Hook's property, and he saw a white ute nearby soon afterwards.

The signs, which read: "Makara is United, Turbines Too Close to Homes!", mysteriously reappeared after Mr Key left the area.

Senior Constable David Ross, of Karori, said he noticed protest signs had gone missing. He went to the West Wind site and spoke to Meridian staff. A subcontractor was ordered to put the signs back.

Meridian spokeswoman Claire Shaw said their removal was "very disappointing". "It's not our style and we'll be looking into it."

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hamish   #3   04:35 pm Apr 30 2009

Sounds to me like Senior Constable David Ross has time on his hands and could be deployed doing some more urgent practical police work. And maybe the good residents of Makara might not be so opposed if the residents of Wellington stopped subsidising their country lifestyle while only being 15 minutes from town. Maybe if they don't like having the turbines in the area they could try moving to the real country or we could start charging them real costs for provision of services - like the true cost of running power out to the valley.

Rich   #2   12:49 pm Apr 30 2009

Yes, NIMBY. Let the people in Makara have their land. Make them pay Auckland (or somewhere else's) prices for electricity rather than Wellington prices.

Jeets   #1   11:16 am Apr 30 2009

Haha, the good old NIMBY syndrome - would be great to have clean, renewable energy...but not in my back yard!

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