Extinction Rebellion Ōtautahi protestors staged a “die-in” at the Christchurch City Council on Thursday.

They’re against a planned airport at Tarras, in Central Otago.

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

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

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

The activists, dressed in black and carrying grave markers called on the council and CCHL to stop the development of the airport.

Extinction Rebellion Ōtautahi David Goldsmith said “it is hard to believe that a new airport, of all things, is being mooted in the middle of a climate emergency.”

“No amount of sustainability greenwashing can hide the fact that increased flight capacity will mean increased emissions.”

“Our elected representatives owe ratepayers an explanation for how this project can possibly be consistent with the council’s declaration of a climate emergency.”