A hikoi to protest plans by the Port of Tauranga to dredge Tauranga harbour to allow for larger vessels was held in Tauranga on Monday morning.
The port company last year received resource consents to dredge up to 15 million cubic metres of sand, silt and rock from the main shipping channel to deepen it by just over three metres.
Two iwi appealed against the decision of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
A Environment Court hearing opened in Tauranga on Monday morning.
Over 100 people marched across the Tauranga harbour bridge to the venue where the court is sitting.