“How many of you are even from the West Coast?” A rheumy-eyed old-timer who appeared to have seen too many West Coast winters, demanded of the protesters. That so many of the protesters were residents of the West Coast indicated how dramatically attitudes have changed in 30 years. It may be confidently predicted that the Resources Minister, and a great many other people, will be watching extremely closely to see how many people follow them. If similar environmental protests (against genetic engineering, against West Coast coal-mining) offer any guide, then well in excess of 30,000 marchers may be expected. Nor should it be forgotten that the coking-coal from New Zealand’s West Coast is highly prized by steel-makers around the world.
