Activists with duct-taped mouths and T-shirts reading ‘CLIMATE EMERGENCY’ appeared at the Christchurch City Council meeting today, to protest the council’s “lack of transparency” regarding plans for a new international airport at Tarras, in Central Otago.

The public had been excluded from discussions about a letter of expectation for the airport project. 

Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL) announced the purchase of 750 hectares of land for the project in July of 2020.

CIAL is 75% owned by the council through its holding company, Christchurch City Holdings Limited (CCHL).

Mayor Lianne Dalziel, deputy mayor Andrew Turner, and councillors Sara Templeton and James Gough sit on the CCHL board.

The activists, from Extinction Rebellion Ōtautahi, E Tu, and School Strike 4 Climate, say they’re disappointed and exasperated by the opaque nature of the proceedings.

Michael Apathy of Extinction Rebellion said “too much of the wrangling to get this project off the ground has taken place behind closed doors.”

“It started when CIAL blindsided Tarras locals by announcing that land for an airport had been purchased, and it’s continuing now when money that could go back to the council as dividends is going towards a project that ratepayers know very little about.”