A fiery stoush played out live on AM on Wednesday morning, as members of the small community of Lyttelton debated whether cruise ships are good for the town.
It comes after a community meeting was held in Lyttelton on Tuesday, with Harbour Business Association chair Vicki Tahau Paton telling AM there were a few people who felt a "little uncomfortable" with the environment.
The last cruise ship for the season left in April, but businesses already preparing for the busy season ahead.
More than 70 cruise ships, including the massive Ovation of the Seas, have visited the Banks' Peninsula township over the past 12 months, bringing with them over 125,000 visitors.
This is expected to increase next season with 98 cruise ship visits scheduled.
Debate has risen over the benefits or lack of benefits of the cruise ships depending on which side of the argument you are on.
This played out live on AM on Wednesday morning with Paton and Lyttelton resident Zoë Brock both appearing on the show.
Paton told AM there are a number of issues dividing the community including people for and against cruise ships, those for the environment and then a separate group arguing about phosphates.
When asked what side of the argument she was on, Paton said she is neutral.
But Brock, who appeared on AM following Paton's interview, sarcastically said she was Lyttelton's "incredible impartial" chair.
Paton claims the meeting showed young and old people have been "lead to believe" they cannot come down to the township during cruise ship season in Lyttelton.
But Brock hit back saying people aren't coming by choice.
"I don't even know where to start, last night was incredible and Lyttelton stood up. It was incredibly validating to be there," she said.
"We had children, we had teenagers, we had the elderly and they all spoke from the heart. No one has been led to believe they can't go Lyttelton, it's their choice. They don't want to go into Lyttelton on a cruise ship day because there are literally hundreds, if not thousands of people milling around and the entire culture and vibe of our tiny little beautiful, creative, amazing town changes when you've got a whole bunch of spectators."
When asked if the businesses are making money from 125,000 visitors from the cruise ship or if they're going straight to Christchurch, Paton told AM the small community is benefiting.
But she does believe businesses in Lyttelton do need to adapt to the tourists.
"They come in specifically for purposes that are addressed by them. They come in for water, they go to the pharmacy, some of them want a coffee, they do not want some of the stock that people are selling," she said.
"That has nothing to do with the cruise ships, that is to do with their businesses not selling things they want. So we need to strip down our egos and actually start catering for those cruise ships."
But Brock wasn't a fan of that idea.
"Vicki wants us to start selling things that are going to appease these people, no thanks. She's asking us to change who we are and what we are."
Watch the video above.
