In order to stop the logging of virgin forest at Pureora, protesters perched in the trees with camping gear in 1978. They received widespread public support. Listen to local MP Ian Shearer expressing his concern over the logging plans.
Transcript
Interviewer: Well legislation of course is fairly slow, would that be effective enough or quick enough to save the tōtara?
Well, interestingly enough the small area that the tōtara area, centering on the totara, is not the tōtara itself is not being milled in that area. But they are taking out 100 per cent of the kahikatea in that area, 90% of the rimu in that area and 50% of the matai in that area. So the major concern of Native Forest Action Council is the opening up of the forest canopy which may expose these tōtara to high wind and also the likely root damage as a result of the bulldozers is working underneath.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Alexander Turnbull Library, Morrie Peacock Collection (PAColl-4875)
Reference: PAColl-4875-1-04-01
by Morice Gladstone Peacock
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Radio New Zealand collection. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision (Preservation of T Collection/Reference number 22970)
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.