Thousands of angry residents, farmers, hapū and iwi groups have descended on Kaikohe in Northland to protest what they call "modern-day land grabs".
The Far North Council is trying to designate some private land as a significant natural area (SNA), which ould heavily restrict what can be done with the land in the future.
Around 8000 letters have been sent to residents explaining that up to 100 percent of their private property will be considered an SNA.
Many locals had concerns about the changes and a hīkoi was launched at dawn on Thursday at Cape Reinga in protest.
Far North District Mayor John Carter heard the calls and travelled to Wellington to meet with Associate Minister for the Environment James Shaw. The pair agreed to press pause and reset on the issue.
However, protesters want the Government to go further and scrap SNAs altogether.
On Friday morning, the group combined with hundreds of concerned farmers, residents and iwi from across the district.
Among the group is Hinerangi Cooper-Puru, the 84-year-old daughter of Dame Whina Cooper.
"I come here this morning with my mother in my sights. My korero to her - how do you feel? I feel that she was also telling me to get on with the job," she told Newshub.
