New Zealand is now a pro-whaling country

Labour rejects the National-Act Government’s decision today to support the resumption of commercial whaling, Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesman Chris Carter says.

At the International Whaling Commission meeting in Florida, New Zealand’s representatives endorsed a proposal which will allow some countries to legally resume commercial whaling.

“In a little over a year John Key has turned New Zealand from being a world leader in marine mammal conservation to being an active advocate for the resumption of commercial whaling,” Chris Carter said.

“Many Kiwis regard whales as iconic creatures and do not understand the need to kill them for scientific or any other purposes. The action we’ve seen against the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean this year reflects the strong feelings many New Zealanders share. They will be disgusted by Mr Key’s move.

“Mr Key’s kowtowing to pressure from a handful of whaling nations has put us completely at odds with many respected NGOs, and with our key international partner, Australia,” Mr Carter said.

“Without our support, the best Australia’s representatives could do today in Florida was to bring the IWC meeting to a stalemate. How disappointed must the Australian team have been with their Kiwi mates?

“Yet in spite of Mr Key’s refusal to support Australia’s position, the Rudd Government seems determined to stop whaling once and for all. The Australian Prime Minister has given Japan a clear choice; stop killing whales in the Southern Ocean or face the legal consequences. If Japan does not voluntarily end its whaling programme by November of this year then Australia will take a case to the International Court of Justice. New Zealand should be joining with Australia in this action.

“It is now clear that this National-Act Government simply doesn’t care about marine mammal conservation or other conservation issues,” Mr Carter has said.

“This is the same Government that is prepared to mine our national parks, as well as support the resumption of commercial whaling.

“Whales are critically endangered animals, and they depend on the resolve of fair minded countries and individuals to avoid extinction at a time of global climate change and increasing marine pollution. Today Mr Key placed New Zealand in the group of countries that are prepared to continue to hunt endangered species. Many New Zealanders will be shocked by this decision.

“The Labour Party remains committed to the conservation of the world’s endangered whale species and remains totally opposed to the resumption of commercial whaling.”

ENDS

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