12 February, 2004

Return Cook Strait jewel to the crown, says Ward

Green MP Mike Ward has urged Conservation Minister Chris Carter to snap up an idyllic island in Cook Strait that is on the market, saying the island would be a unique addition to the conservation estate.

Mr Ward, the Green Tourism spokesperson, has written to the Minister urging him to consider purchasing Puangiangi Island, north east of D'Urville Island, because of the unique conservation and tourism opportunities it could bring.

"More than ever, New Zealanders have to keep our land in our hands," said Mr Ward. "This is a great chance to show this country's commitment to the conservation estate while protecting the land from absentee foreign ownership.

"Because the island was largely clear-felled to raise stock, we have a chance to regenerate the island with native flora and fauna. With the island being so close to both Nelson and Wellington we could involve schools and the community to help restore it to a more natural state.

"I believe this would add a unique perspective to our rapidly-expanding eco-tourism industry and many people from all over the world would be interested in participating in such a project.

"Given the consideration this island deserves, I am sure that the Minister would find many wonderful opportunities to use Puangiangi Island should it be added to the conservation estate," said Mr Ward.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>