One of the protesters occupying a Picton park says they will not leave by 5pm today as requested by Marlborough District Council.
A group of people have been protesting against Covid-19 vaccine mandates at Nelson Square Reserve, Picton, since 7 February. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The group, who are protesting against Covid-19 vaccine mandates, have been staying at Nelson Square Reserve since 7 February.
The council said last Friday group representatives agreed the protesters would relocate from Nelson Square Reserve by 5pm today.
Earlier, council chief executive Mark Wheeler said a letter was given to group representatives this morning reiterating the council's offer for them to move to Waitohi Domain.
The council has agreed the group can gather at Waitohi Domain, during the day, until 4 March.
"The council has acted in good faith and been generous towards the group by allowing the protesters to continue their occupation of Nelson Square Reserve," Wheeler said.
The group was given a deadline of 5pm on 16 Febraury to move altogether or relocate to Waitohi Domain. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
"Council now expects them to also act in good faith and keep their promise to vacate Nelson Square Reserve by 5pm tonight," he said.
"If the group does not vacate Nelson Square Reserve today as agreed, council will have no choice but to trespass everyone on the reserve after the expiry of the deadline. That enforcement will be at the discretion of the police."
However, Craig Tough, one of about 200 protesters at the park, said the plan was to stay until they have been listened to.
Tough said they want the mandates reversed.
"We want the mandates that are hurting people and families reversed. We want them looked at and changed, 'cause they're doing serious damage to people and we've had enough. We want them changed."
Craig Tough is out protesting at Nelson Square, in Picton, against Covid-19 vaccine mandates. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Tough said numbers at the protest had fluctuated between about 1000 people to 100.
He said there had been some hostility from the public, but the group had also seen an amazing amount of support and donations.
Council chief executive Mark Wheeler said the occupation had generated numerous complaints from local residents, and was in breach of the Reserves Act, Freedom Camping Act and Council's public places bylaw.
Earlier, Marlborough Mayor John Leggett had said the council sincerely hoped that issuing a trespass notice would not be necessary.
Mayor John Leggett Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
"I think the group has had its voice heard and that any further illegal activity will not help its cause. So far, the Picton community has displayed an admirable level of tolerance towards the protesters, based on the knowledge that an end point to the occupation of their local reserve was in sight," Leggett said.
"If the group does not relocate today, I fear the opinion of most of the community will harden towards the protesters. We have received many complaints already and I expect that will escalate if the group does not move on.
"It's clear to me that the vast majority of people want the protesters gone."
