National Day of Action to Save the RMA Announced Today

Michael Tavares, who occupied the Paturoa Kauri for 81 hours in March, today announced a National Day of Action on tree protection on Sunday the 3rd of May, 2015.

Mr Tavares is calling for a National Day of Action to give communities around the country a chance to share the stories about their special trees, and to call for the rules protecting them to be strengthened.

“It became clear quickly that similar situations were happening across the country where significant native trees were at threat due to lack of consultation and a weakened Resource Management Act,” said Tavares.

“What also became clear during that week was that New Zealanders care about our trees and want to be involved in decision making processes - we are calling for people to claim their voice and stand up for a stronger RMA.

"Ordinary New Zealanders are having to fight tooth and nail to protect what's important to them, because this Government has changed the rules and taken away their voice on these issues."

"Where blanket protections used to ensure that these significant trees were
automatically protected, now Kiwis have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on lawyers and reports, to try to ensure their kids can enjoy the same environment that they did growing up!"

"New Zealanders love our clean, green environment, and want to be able to protect and maintain it for future generations. We need to strengthen the laws that help us do that, so ordinary Kiwis can protect their environment and their community.”

“We are calling for groups, organisations, friends and families to support this Day of Action by organising an event and taking a photo in front of their special tree."

"Whether it's a protest or a picnic, Sunday 3 May will be a chance for everyone to share their stories about their important trees, and why they matter personally, or to the community."

“We can’t climb every tree and we shouldn’t have to, what we need is better leadership and legislation.”

“People do have a voice, we saw that in Titirangi in March and we’ll see it again across Aotearoa in May.”

For more information, see: Facebook event or email thewildernerd@hotmail.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media