Tony Mair - Arsehole of the Week

What is it about environmentalists that make some people go crazy? They’re just normal human beings who want our natural world to be protected. It’s not like they’re terrorists or anything, just your bulk standard Kiwis who care a bit more about protecting nature than most folks.

So when environmentalists get set upon by a bunch of thugs in hi-vis jackets, and they use intimidation and violence to try to deter a peaceful protest, then you would expect the Police to intervene and do their job.

However that hasn’t been the case recently on Waiheke Island, where people who are just trying to protect Little Blue Penguins and their habitats were threatened and then assaulted by arseholes who work for an unethical developer called Tony Mair.

Yesterday, RNZ reported:

Waiheke Island marina: Video appears to show protester kicked in face

A video of an incident at the controversial marina development on Waiheke Island appears to show a protester being kicked in the face.

Protect Pūtiki has been occupying the site for 120 days, which they say endangers a nearby kororā (little blue penguin) colony. The developer rejects those claims.

Recent clashes between protesters and security guards for the development by Kennedy Point Boat Harbour Ltd have triggered police investigations.

In a video posted to Facebook, a protester on a pontoon is manhandled into the water by a man wearing a high-vis jacket.

While the protester is in the water, the man takes a step and kicks the person in the water in the head.

The video that has made the news is conclusive. The male security guard first throws the female protester in the water and while they’re trying to recover, he then kicks her directly in the face.

Unfortunately this isn’t the only case of excessive and potentially deadly force being used by these security guards either. If you watch the entire video, which is available on the Protect Pūtiki Facebook page, other security guards use kayak paddles they’ve stolen to assault protesters. At one stage a protester is strangled while they lay prone on the floating pontoon, another is held under the water in what could be considered attempted murder. One security guard even appears to use a can of pepper spray against a female protester, which is also against the law.

Obviously at least one security guard should be charged with assault here. There is no question about it. But other security guards should also be charged with possessing and using a prohibited weapon. Only the Police (and some corrections officers) are allowed to carry and use pepper spray in New Zealand, so unless they want to also look like a bunch thugs for hire, the Police must act to ensure charges are laid and the spray and other weapons are confiscated from these balaclava wearing goons. They must also ensure that all the items taken from these peaceful protesters are returned undamaged.

There is a hell of a lot wrong with this development. Firstly the gifting of public land to a private developer is highly questionable, but especially so because local iwi weren't properly consulted. The Auckland Council also giving the go ahead for such a large project on top of a Little Blue Penguin colony is suspect, and points to a secret deal being done at the old boys club.

Then there’s the work itself that’s not adhering to the consent. Penguins are clearly being endangered, which is reason enough to shut down the project. Then there are the multiple assaults on peaceful protesters, which categorically shows that the developer and his workers are a bunch of cutthroat bastards who are highly deserving of an Arsehole Award. Let's hope their pay packets are also docked when this environmentally damaging project gets closed down.