26 April 2004 Media Advisory

MP triking through Marlborough-Nelson

Nelson-based Green MP Mike Ward is cycling from Bluff to Nelson during the current parliamentary recess to meet with Mayors, councillors, schools, waste organisations, regional business associations, local Greens and the public on the issues of waste, community economic development and transport.

He intends to deliver stories from the people he meets to Parliament so as to provide another perspective on what is going on around the country.

"Getting out of planes and motorcars on to my recumbent trike will let me experience the lovelier initiatives around the country on a more intimate level than parliamentary life generally allows," said Mr Ward, the Green Party Spokesperson on Sports, Fitness & Leisure, Local Government, Waste, Tourism and Associate on Transport.

The 61-year-old veteran of every Coast-to-Coast race expects the 1021km cycle mission to be straightforward. The North Island leg will follow later in the year.

Mike Ward's Marlborough - Nelson Itinerary - April 2004

Tuesday 27th: Amberley to Kaikoura - 131 km

Wednesday 28th: Kaikoura 7.15am: Whale watching 1.00pm: Meeting Kaikoura Mayor Jim Abernethy and staff at Innovative Waste. 2.30pm: Visiting St Josephs School Ludstone Rd, Kaikoura. Contact: Alison, 03 319 7462 or misty_mountain@xtra.co.nz.

Thursday 29th: Kaikoura to Blenheim - 132km 9.15am: Visiting Suburban School, Kaikoura, and their recycling programme. 10.00am: Visiting Hapuku School. Noon: Visiting Woodbank School.

Friday 30th: Blenheim to Nelson - 102 km 9.00am: Meeting Marlborough Mayor Tom Harrison on zero waste and economic development. 10.00am: Meeting Marlborough Regional Development Trust. 11.00am: Meeting with the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce 4.30pm: Meet at Wakapuaka Memorial Hall for 12km cycle into Nelson or 4.45pm Meet at Marybank Rd junction for 6km cycle to the... 5.30pm: Official welcome at Victory Room, Trafalgar Centre, Paru Paru Rd, Nelson.

Mike will speak on his discoveries along the way, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons will speak on local transport solutions and Paul Denton will speak on the Green Bike Scheme. Contact greens@ts.co.nz

ENDS

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