Several environmental activists have been trespassed from the Takitimu coal mine in Southland.
The mine, in Nightcaps, had its operations stopped by about 30 environmental activists this morning.
Climate activist Adam Currie said at least 10 protesters had been trespassed.
There were still a couple of people still in the mine, but most activists were leaving, he said.
He was pleased activists had shut the mine for a day and sent a strong message about need to build a future without coal.
The protesters had received many messages of support from people pleased they were standing up for something, he said.
A police spokeswoman confirmed officers were at the scene.
Some protesters had been trespassed and no arrests had been made, she said.
Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Erik Kennedy earlier said the group was blockading the site because the country needed a change of direction.
Protesters had provisions to last several days, Kennedy said.
The majority of the coal mined at Takitimu was used by Fonterra to dehydrate milk for export at the Clandeboye factory.
Bathurst Resources, which owns the mine, is planning an expansion into a nearby forestry block owned by Southland District Council.
The Government had declared a climate emergency in 2020, but had not yet committed to closing coal mines or giving coal workers the option of ‘‘good clean jobs’’ instead, Kennedy said.
Protester Gemma Marnane, whose family has worked in the mining industry in Nightcaps for generations, said it was time to appreciate coal as a part of New Zealand’s history not past.
“We are afraid for the future and uncertain what it looks like, but we can build a new, positive vision together,” Marnane said.
A judicial review of the Southland District Council’s decision to grant permission for the expansion is being sought by Forest and Bird and will be heard on July 18.
They are seeking the review on the grounds that the council failed to factor in climate change into its decision to grant exploratory access to its forestry block, Currie said.
Police at the scene were blocking exits and entrances, including to media, Currie said.
An Otago Daily Times reporter at the scene this morning said protesters had been informed they were trespassing by locals.
Police were having undertaking talks with protesters, the reporter said.
-- additional reporting Luisa Girao
