WEDNESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

Kiwi Stars Criticise Key’s Government

A star-studded array of New Zealanders has joined forces to criticise the government in a new campaign to be launched this (Wednesday) evening.

Hollywood actor Sam Neill, award-winning musicians the Topp Twins, Tiki Taane and Warren Maxwell have teamed up with acclaimed writer Albert Wendt, academic Dr Ranginui Walker, leading businessman Phillip Mills, entrepreneur Nick Gerritsen, former Acting Judge of the Supreme Court Sir Ted Thomas and many others (full list below) to condemn the government’s plans for deep sea oil drilling and attempts to crack down on peaceful protests.

Uniting under the slogan Get Free, they have created a new three-minute ‘call to action’ addressed to the nation, which can be seen, from 7.30pm this evening, at www.getfree.org.nz. In it, they call for New Zealanders to stand together in defence of the country’s oceans, the New Zealand way of life, the right to protest and against the government's plans to drill for deep sea oil.

Backing clean energy instead would, say the group, be a boost for New Zealand’s environment and economy.

Almost 30,000 jobs could be created in areas such as the geothermal and bioenergy industries, revealed a report, released earlier this year and based on scientific modelling carried out by experts in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The analysis shows that the geothermal industry alone could be worth over NZ$4billion to the economy every year. And a growing bioenergy sector could see New Zealand becoming increasingly less reliant on foreign oil imports, saving the country over NZ$7billion each year by 2035 (1).

The call comes in the wake of the National-led government’s controversial crackdown on protest at sea and as New Zealand’s reputation for being clean and green faces increasing international scrutiny. In recent days, Texan oil company Anadarko has announced plans to drill in New Zealand waters in the coming months.

Bunny McDiarmid, head of Greenpeace, who co-ordinated Get Free, said: “The Get Free message is loud and clear that if we don’t stand up now, we stand to lose things of great value to us - our democratic rights and our unpolluted waters.”

Sir Ted Thomas said: “The new law making it illegal to protest at sea is shameful. We have a long history of defending our land and sea and fighting for our freedoms. In many ways protest has provided the strong foundations on which we have built New Zealand. If there ever was a time to protect our country, now is that time.”

Leading New Zealand businessman and founder of the Pure Advantage group Phillip Mills said: “From a business perspective, failure to deal with climate change will undo all of our hard work. Conversely, the greatest future opportunities lie in dealing with this problem. The intelligent path for New Zealand is clean energy innovation, not the blind pursuit of more oil.”
Entrepreneur Nick Gerritsen said: “The evolution of the green economy is a natural fit for NZ. It's what we do. It's what the world thinks and expects of us. It's common sense because it’s where our competitive advantage rests.”

Others participating in Get Free include Lady Blake and Peter Williams QC, oncologist Dr George Laking, Te Whanau ā Apanui kaumātua Rikirangi Gage and lawyer Dayle Takitimu, surfing stars Mischa Davis and Daniel Kereopa, actors Robyn Malcolm and Lucy Lawless and Maria Tyrrell, the daughter of RNZN Commander Alan Tyrrell who was the Commanding Officer of the HMNZS Otago at the Moruroa Protests.

The government’s new law banning aspects of peaceful protesting at sea was heavily criticised by lawyers and politicians when it was introduced. Over 45,000 people signed a statement against the new measures.
For a copy of the clean economy report, “The Future is Here” visit: http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/reports/The-Future-is-Here-report/

Full list of Get Free backers:
Albert Wendt, Writer & Poet
Bunny McDiarmid, GPNZ Executive Director
Dan Buckley, Fashion Designer & Businessman
Daniel Kereopa, Surfer
Dr. George Armstrong, Anglican Priest & Founder Peace Flotilla Founder
Dr. George Laking Oncologist & Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa Chair
Jeanette Fitzsimons, Environmentalist, Former MP
Lady Blake, Artist
Lucy Lawless, Actor
Maria Tyrrell, Daughter of Commander Alan Tyrrell RNZN
Metua Manuu Tangiiataua, Whale Watch
Mischa Davis, Surfer
Niamh O'Flynn, Teacher, Oil Free Otago
Nick Gerritsen, Entrepreneur & Businessman
Peter Williams QC, Lawyer, Sailor
Phillip Mills, Businessman
Prof. Ranginui Walker, Academic, Educator & Cultural Commentator
Rikirangi Gage, Te Whanau ā Apanui Kaumātua
Robyn Malcolm, Actor
Sam Neill, Actor
Sir Ted Thomas, Former Acting Judge of the Supreme Court
Tiki Taane, Musician
Topp Twins, Musicians, Comedians, Activists
Warren Maxwell, Musician

ENDS

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Trial Over 'Anonymous' Donations: John Banks Resigns As Minister

ACT Leader John Banks today confirmed that he has stood down from his Ministerial positions following today’s decision at the Auckland District Court.

“Last week I indicated to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff that I would offer my resignation should the matter relating to my 2010 Mayoral Electoral return be committed to trial,” Mr Banks said...

“I intend to continue in my role as ACT Leader and MP for Epsom, and ACT will continue to support National on matters of confidence and supply. More>>