An estimated 140 vehicles and hundreds of supporters turned out in Wanaka this afternoon to demand a halt to the government’s environmental regulations, promising further action if their conditions were not met.

The ‘Howl of a Protest’, organised by Groundswell NZ, attracted mostly farm utes, as well as trucks and tractors, which drove twice around a circuit from McDougall, Brownston and Ardmore Streets at midday today (Friday July 16). Farm utes also parked along Helwick Street where farm dogs took part in a “bark off”.

It was part of a nationwide protest which drew thousands of protestors and supporters around New Zealand.

Tractors and trucks on Ardmore Street this afternoon.

Local farmer Hamish Mackay from Spotts Creek Station read a statement from Groundswell at the beginning of the protest, which explained that the grassroots farming group had “put a stake in the ground” about the government’s freshwater regulations, Significant Natural Area (SNA) proposals, and the so-called ‘ute tax’, which includes penalties of up to $5,175 for ute buyers from January next year to help subsidise rebates for people who purchase electric vehicles. 

(From left) Harriet Simpson, Molly Roberts, Georgia Holland, and Emily Forrest.

Groundswell is “calling [for] a halt to all environmental regulations”, Hamish said, and the group is giving the government an ultimatum: further action will be undertaken if “sufficient moves from the government” have not been made to address concerns by August 16.

Anna and Hamish Mackay brief the protestors.

“Enough is enough,” he said, a phrase he repeated after each of the following complaints: “Unworkable freshwater regulations; SNAs penalising conservation-minded landowners; over the top ‘one size fits all’ state control; no respect for people, their privacy and property information; overseas corporates buying up NZ farmland to offset emissions; taxes on essential work vehicles; and out of control costs crippling small businesses; and unprecedented mental strain on people.”

Farm utes parked along Helwick Street for the “bark off”.

“Groundswell NZ is keen to promote workable solutions,” Hamish read, adding: “We know there are far superior solutions to achieving positive environmental outcomes than the current unworkable regulations.”

Onlookers watch the protest on Ardmore Street.

Read also: Protest against ‘totally impractical’ regulations

Four year old George McCarthy attended with his dog Jake

PHOTOS: Wanaka App