Marlborough's mayor says Picton has been patient with protesters occupying a park in the town, but it is now time for them to leave.
The protesters at Nelson Square Reserve in Picton. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
John Leggett Photo: BRYA INGRAM/STUFF
The group - numbering in the hundreds - were asked by the Marlborough District Council to leave Nelson Square Reserve by 5pm Wednesday but refused to do so.
The group, who are protesting against Covid-19 vaccine mandates, have been staying at the reserve for just over a week.
The council says the protesters' representatives had agreed to relocate to a domain where they could be during the day but that hasn't happened.
A trespass notice was served on protesters this morning, delivered to the group in Nelson Square by police and Marlborough District Council staff.
Marlborough Mayor John Leggett earlier told Morning Report: "We have attempted a conciliatory approach, the occupiers have backtracked on that agreement. We have to move to a stage of serving trespass notices.
"The enforcement part of the process will rest with the police. We've been working very closely with them, they are aware of our position."
The council had not had direct contact with tow truck drivers to see if they would be willing to help, he said.
"The protesters and the vehicles that are there at the moment aren't blocking State Highway 1, remembering that Nelson Square is adjacent to State Highway 1.
"The problem for us - the reserve, the public reserve, we have a responsibility in administering that. The occupation of that reserve and the way that it's being occupied is unlawful.
"As the council, we've got a responsibility to deal to that issue."
"These occupiers have made their voice known. We understand what the issue is from their point of view. But I think it's now time for them to move" - Marlborough Mayor John Leggett
At this stage, no-one was being prevented from getting to the ferry, he said.
"They have been reasonably cooperative and allowing traffic to flow. They've been mindful of the residential area, which is adjacent to the square, so in that sense we don't have too many issues and that really led us to look at a conciliatory approach to resolving this."
Protesters were asked to move to another park for daytime occupation, away from homes, and to use campgrounds or private residence for accommodation.
Residents had filed noise complaints and Leggett said he thought patience was starting to run out.
It was his understanding that most were from out of town.
"They've been coming up in different numbers over the last week to 10 days, so there's people there that weren't there from day one of the occupation."
Some people in town were supporting them, but generally, residents had been patient.
"These occupiers have made their voice known. We understand what the issue is from their point of view. But I think it's now time for them to move."
Police said they were continuing to monitor the situation.
Officers would be working with Marlborough District Council to resolve the matter and anyone with any specific concerns in relation to the protest activity should contact police.
But anti-mandate protester Craig Tough said the group would not be moving from a public park until the government listened to their requests.
Tough told Morning Report people feel hurt that they have not been heard.
They wanted to meet the prime minister and would leave once that happened.