The sudden demolition of a New Zealand smokestack has angered some Patea residents as they had just started a campaign to save it as a memorial to the town’s freezing works history.
Patea’s symbolic smoke stack was knocked down by Nikau Contractors on Friday evening.
But at a public meeting called by residents last week, campaigner Jim Ngarewa was scathing of the council and its “lack of democratic process”.
“This was done in a devious manner and an arrogant manner,” he said. “They were gutless and sneaky. Why couldn’t they wait, even until Monday after we had all had our say?” Mr Ngarewa said.
To read the full story, please click here. To see the chimney fall, please check out the video below:
