Walk for the Planet reaches Parliament Steps

Media Release 11 April 2009

Walk for the Planet reaches Parliament Steps Easter Sunday

A group of eight walkers who have traversed the South Island to promote greater care for the planet will reassemble on the beach at Island Bay, 2 pm Sunday.

They will be joined by local Christians and supporters to walk to parliament steps. The Walkers will arrive at 4:30 pm where they will lay down large sheets of messages from people in the South Island.

At 5 pm the Walk will move to St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the Easter message.

Easter Sunday marks the culmination of this special pilgrimage that began on Stewart Island with a service marking Ash Wednesday, 25 February, before crossing Foveaux Strait to walk the length of the South Island relay style.

The organisers of the Walk for the Planet have been encouraged by the many practical efforts South Islanders are making to restore the environment from recycling centres to replanting initiatives.

However the organisers are convinced much more action is needed.

“Around the world people are waking up to the urgent need to forge a better relationship with the earth. The future of our children, and indeed all of life on our planet, is dependent on the decisions we make today,” says organiser, the Reverend Mark Gibson of Christchurch.

“Easter is a season of hope for Christians. We are walking to make that hope real,” he adds.

The Walk has involved hundreds of church people, MPs and supporters, meeting with local mayors and councillors throughout the six weeks.

Hundreds of people have shared reflections and concerns which will be collated after Easter Sunday.

The organisers have arranged to meet with MPs to discuss their concerns after parliament’s Easter recess.

Mark Gibson is a Methodist minister with a long standing interest in environmental justice issues.

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