Six people charged with trespass following the occupation of Kaitaia airport last year have been sentenced and discharged without conviction.
However Ngāti Kahu say they intend to appeal the courts' decision.
The six defendants and their fifty odd supporters were relieved after being discharged from court today on the condition they don't come before the court again in the year to come.
Ngāti Kahu spokesperson Joe Petera says, "They just need to stay out of trouble for a year and the family will be good, and the judge acknowledged the peaceful demeanour of the Ngāti Kahu people while making their stand in court. We're just keen that the real issue over Ngāti Kahu rights to land be addressed.”
The respective hapū that occupied the Kaitaia airport last year maintain they were forced into action to assert their rights to the land following the Crown’s decision to give it to a neighbouring tribe.
Petera says, "Our unity being weakened and the government is playing a lead role in dividing our people and playing tribes off against one another. Ngāti Kahu refused to sign an agreement for full and final settlement, but that doesn't negate the fact that it’s Ngāti Kahu land and they need to address the issue by coming to our marae to talk with the respective hapū."
While happy with the leniency of the sentences handed down today Ngāti Kahu intend to appeal the court’s decision which found that their customary rights to the lands were displaced following the assertion of a crown title.
Petera says, "That’s the real challenge for the crown is to come and meet with us on our marae to discuss the issues around our customary rights."