Kiwis Petition Key for Extra Day in Lieu

26 January 2012

Kiwis Petition Key for Extra Day in Lieu

New Zealand holidaymakers are set to petition Prime Minister John Key this summer for a day off, a national first.

The petition, which asks for an extra legal day in lieu, is the first documented petition against a wet New Zealand summer. fresh-up has picked up the petition due to local interest and will send it to John Key once it gains 50,000 signatures.

Thousands of New Zealanders have taken to social media and other outlets to proclaim their disappointment at the weather conditions during the holidays. Key venues such as the Wellington Waterfront were blocked off over New Years Eve, while much-anticipated festivals such as Rhythm and Vines and Coro Gold have left punters wet and upset during the holiday period.

Tourism outfit Destination Manawatu’s Co-ordinator Shelly Deegan noted the cancellation of holiday activities was nationwide.

“Nationwide people are revising plans and going online [to find alternatives],'' Mrs Deegan said during the New Year period. 'It's not just a Manawatu thing, it's all over the country.''

Met Service weather expert Daniel Corbett admits the change in weather this summer was significant.

“Last summer was significantly hotter than normal, and several tropical weather systems visited our northern parts in January”, he says.

The duration of the wet weather has spanned over a longer holiday period this year, a further cause of event-goer resentment. Events as early as the December 13 Foo Fighters concert have been close to cancellation, with the bad weather reported to continue until March. Snowfall in Canterbury continued the trend this week, with one West Coast reporter describing the conditions as “completely winter like”.

Although the bad weather may hold intermittent sunshine, many holiday-makers are not appeased.

“The thing is, we shouldn't be this excited about a bit of sun in January. It shouldn't be this wet and miserable. #whatisgoingon”, tweeted one disgruntled traveller.

With the petition gaining speed on the fresh-up website, the watch is on Mr. Key’s response to the impending document.

Mr. Key’s office has not offered a comment on the petition.

About ‘A Summer’s Day in Lieu’

fresh-up’s A Summer’s Day In Lieu petition is a document protesting the recent bad weather in New Zealand during the 2011-12 summer holiday period. Once 50,000 signatures are obtained from members of the parliament, the petitionwill be sent to Prime Minister John Key on the hopes of leading to a granted day in lieu for all New Zealanders. To sign the petition, please visit www.freshup.co.nz

ENDS

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