Auckland City Rail Link: Bouquets of flowers in protest at compensation delay

Monday, 7 October 2019

Albert St businesses started a 'Gandhi style' protest on Monday morning over the City Rail Link.

Daily bouquets of flowers with personalised messages are being sent to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other ministers as part of a protest against the City Rail Link.

The protest comes after possible compensation payouts appeared to be months away for central Auckland businesses, which were blaming mounting losses on delayed City Rail Link works.

A bunch of flowers will be sent everyday to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the 'concerned ministers' until the dispute over compensation is resolved.

Two-and-a-half months have passed since Auckland Mayor Phil Goff wrote to Transport Minister Phil Twyford proposing the creation of a hardship fund for the cluster of Albert St businesses.

The owners are engaged in a lengthy battle to be compensated for financial problems they blame on disruptive, and delayed, CRL construction.

Songvut Manoompong from Mai Thai Restaurant.

Bouquets of flowers with personalised messages addressed to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Phil Twyford and Stuart Nash are signed 'Best wishes, The Dying Businesses of Albert St.'

* Albert St businesses take fight to Parliament, launch petition

* Heart of the City attacks 'disrespectful' compensation delay

* Minister mum on compo as businesses continue to struggle

* $4.4 billion project finds just $72,000 to help business owners**

Until the dispute over compensation is resolved, the cards will be signed: Best wishes from The Dying Businesses of Albert St.