Media Release August 26 2001

All Political and Environment Reporters

Flowers to the Minister who Stopped the Macreas Mine

A group of Wellingtonians will gather at Parliament at the same time as West Coasters arrive to meet Sandra Lee.

The Wellingtonians will will be telling Conservation Minister, Sandra Lee they appreciate her decision and will encourage her to stand firm in the face of West Coast opposition.

Group spokesperson, Steve Day, said that the group are hoping to present flowers to the Minister to show their appreciation for her decision: "We're delighted the Minister hasn't fallen for the false claim that conservation costs jobs."

The group will meet on Parliament lawn at 1:30pm on Tuesday August 28th. Their peaceful rally will coincide with the arrival of the delegation of West Coast protesters.

Steve Day hoped the West Coast recognised the opportunity the Minister's decision provided for all New Zealanders:

"The West Coast belongs to all New Zealanders, and the Coasters, as local kaitiaki, have a special duty to look after it for us.

The rest of the country has done our part supporting the West Coast towards being one of the strongest economies in the country, now the Coast must do their part;

Accept the Minister's decision and protect rather than mine the special lands they live upon."

For Further Information Please Contact: Steve Day Ph 025 677 3076 Or 385 6737 (h) 3822 743 (w)

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