Media Release . . . Avant Noir productions
Friday 13th July 2007

GREENS ON CLIMATE DEFENSE FRONT LINE

Climate change came closer to home this week for Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons. Storm devastation in the Kauaeranga Valley (the site of Jeanette and partner Harry Parke’s farm) near Thames, saw a newly built Christian Youth Centre just down the road wiped out, and other neighbours suffering varying degrees of damage.

At least four roofs were blown off, several tunnel houses shredded and countless un-insured trees destroyed. Harry Parke estimates the trees destroyed on his and Jeanette’s property alone were worth between $150,000 and $200,000. “It is so exhorbitantly expensive to insure trees that we don’t.” Harry comments.

Ms Fitzsimons and Co-Leader Russel Norman are currently in the throes of the Climate Defence Tour … a Green Party of Aotearoa initiative touring cities and towns throughout New Zealand. This weekend Jeanette and Harry are hosting tour organiser, Gareth Hughes and his partner on the farm where they will have a chance to check out the local damage.

The Climate Defence Tour is due in Thames 7th to 8th September … “Too late this time around but with plenty of sound advice for the future,” says a local Greens spokesperson.

ENDS