"Anti-terror" families feeling the pinch

Families of those facing charges related to the so-called "anti-terror" raids in the eastern Bay of Plenty say they are feeling the pinch financially.

Family members have travelled to Auckland to offer their support during the depositions hearing of 18 accused, which started in Auckland District Court on Monday.

One woman, partner of one of the accused whose name is suppressed, said this week she had lost her job because she needed so much time off to attend court proceedings.

The mother of a newborn baby, she said she had pulled her other children out of school to attend the depositions hearing.

Some of her children's clothing had been confiscated during the October 15 raid, which saw Ruatoki -- near Whakatane -- locked down by police.

The clothing had never been returned.

The mother of the man with name suppression spoke of the difficulty of arranging transport to Auckland, and accommodation there.

Ruatoki women Mirianna Arapeta and Ngawai Williams, said it was also hard for those who had stayed behind, and for families with children who had to attend school.

Mrs Williams said despite the costs involved it was important for her and her family to support the defendants, whom she described as "freedom fighters".

Mrs Arapeta and Mrs Williams said their families had settled down in Auckland and were preparing for the long haul.

Around 20 people connected to the case are understood to have set up base at Te Tira Hou Marae in Panmure, and a bus has been provided to ferry them back and forth from court.

"There is one thing we can say, and that is we have plenty of food. Heaps and heaps of food and transport, too so we're getting sorted now," Mrs Arapeta said.

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