City support for for defence tops peace – mayor

Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith remains staunchly in support of the city hosting the New Zealand Defence Industry Association Forum, despite the protest it attracted.

The event ended on Thursday night, but protests continued yesterday, when forum keynote speaker Chris Helder attended a Chamber of Commerce breakfast session at Hotel Coachman.

Helder is an author and professional speaker who talked to about 65 chamber members on ‘‘embracing change in the digital age’’.

Chamber chief executive Amanda Linsley said a small group of protesters made a lot of noise as people arrived at the breakfast, but did not stop anyone from coming in and did not disrupt the meeting.

Hotel owner Brendan Hapeta said the protest was small, there were no incidents and he was surprised police turned up to move protesters away.

Smith’s appearance at the defence forum on Wednesday morning was aborted after protesters delayed delegates getting into the Central Energy Trust Arena for the opening.

Thursday’s start was also delayed when protesters temporarily prevented a couple of buses leaving Quest Apartments and Copthorne Hotel to transport delegates to the venue.

The protesters called the forum a weapons expo, but when Stuff journalists were escorted past the barricades into the venue, there were no weapons to be seen.

Peace Action Manawatu¯ had earlier asked the city council to pull the plug on the forum, warning councillors it would attract protest and harm Palmerston North’s reputation as a peace city.

Smith said the council had no strategy about being a peace city.

Instead, it and Manawatu¯ district have a signed statement of intent to work with the Defence Force to cement common interests.

Infometrics’ data on gross domestic product, employment and growth for the year ended March 2017 showed the defence sector employed 3098 people in the region, which was worth $264.2 million to the local economy.

Smith said despite the disruption caused by protesters, it was worthwhile hosting the forum.

‘‘We are a defence city. It is one of our biggest sectors and is only getting larger.

‘‘We must support it.’’ Smith said he was not happy about the disorder he attributed to ‘‘rowdy out-of-towners’’.

‘‘I understand and respect not everyone agrees with defence and national security and that is OK. But they are necessary government services, which includes cyber, border, maritime, biosecurity and even food security in part of this wider security discussion.

‘‘The small minority of protesters have the right to protest, peacefully, but actually the vast majority of New Zealanders, including our residents, do support our Defence Forces and associated services.’’

Smith said he appreciated the way organisers of a protest march had worked with the council and police. ‘‘However, the rowdy out-oftowners, rent-a-protest crowd, were exactly the opposite – disorderly, some arrested, caused damage and disrupted businesses, organisations and residents close to arena.’’

Central Economic Development Agency chief executive Linda Stewart did not respond to a question about whether the scenes of protest and heavy police presence were a problem for the city’s image.

‘We are a defence city. It is one of our biggest sectors and is only getting larger.’’ Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith