In Greymouth District Court today, Rachel Andrews and Tāmati Taptiklis were charged with Unlawful Conversion of a Motor Vehicle, Wilful Trespass and Endangering life/safety/health by Criminal Nuisance. Both were released on bail to return to their respective homes, Rach with a 24 hour curfew.

“The pair are well and feeling great after their 23 day occupation of Bathurst Resources’ aerial coal bucket.” said Climate Liberation Aotearoa spokesperson Rosemary Penwarden.

Rach and Tāmati descended from the aerial ropeway on Stockton mine yesterday afternoon after 23 days in an aerial ropeway, stopping its use by Bathurst Resources for more than three weeks.

“We are so proud of the courage and steadfastness Rach and Tāmati have shown. They have demonstrated the extraordinary lengths ordinary people will go to, to protect what we love. A new coal mine in 2025 is immoral in the face of the climate crisis.”

“There should be joint effort from Bathurst and the government to support a transition for employees in the coal mining industry into less destructive sectors like renewables, to help sustain, not destroy, our future.”

“Rach and Tāmati have done their bit, now it is up to all of us. Our work is not over until Bathurst CEO agrees to drop his fast track application to destroy the irreplaceable Denniston Plateau.” said Penwarden.

“We were surprised yesterday that Sergeant Brent Cook told the media that Climate Liberation protestors ‘deviated from the agreed plan’ in his press release yesterday,” said Penwarden, “when no such agreement was reached on an exit strategy.”

“We had offered to give police complete and adequate notice of the climbers' descent, and the climbers had offered to derig all ropes, but we were very clear with police that this was contingent upon climbers having permission for four support people to meet them at the bottom of their ropes. This exit proposal was rejected, and climbers had not agreed with police on an alternative option.

“Comments that we broke an agreement with police are untrue, and we are unsure as to why Sergeant Cook would mislead the public in this way.”

After court this morning Tāmati enjoyed his “best toasted sandwich in the world.” “I’m feeling privileged to be surrounded by such good support”, he added.

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