Press release - April 2, 2011
Opotiki, 2 April, 2011 - Skippers, crew and activists from the flotilla of boats, which travelled from around the North Island were welcomed today at a hui in Whangaparoa Bay which was attended by an estimated 600 people opposed to deep sea oil drilling in the Raukumara Basin, off East Cape.
Skippers, crew and activists from the flotilla of five boats, which travelled from around the North Island, arrive at the hui in Whangaparoa Bay which was attended by an estimated 600 people opposed to deep sea oil drilling in the Raukumara Basin, off East Cape.
A flotilla of five yachts - many of whom have opposed French nuclear testing in the Pacific and nuclear fuel shipments through the Tasman Sea were ceremonially welcomed by te Whānau ā Apanui at around 11am. The lead flotilla boats departed Auckland last Sunday and have since been joined by boats from the Bay of Islands and Whitianga.
Daniel Mares, skipper of the Vega, "Feeling the strength and power that is generating on this issue, the send off in Auckland and Whitianga shows the message is very clear. The Government has misjudged this call and the people of New Zealand do not want or support deep sea drilling in our waters. It's an honor to stand with te Whānau ā Apanui on their land."
Dayle Takitimu, spokesperson for te Whānau ā Apanui, "It's been over-whelming for people to make the effort to stand in solidarity with us. For us, the organisations that have come on board legitimises that this is a national environmental issue. We're committed to a long term campaign working collectively with like-minded organisations. The deep sea oil drilling issue is a wave gathering strength that will crash on the shores of Wellington."
Steve Abel, Greenpeace New Zealand Climate Campaigner: "We are unified, we are determined. Deep sea oil drilling will not happen in New Zealand waters".
For more info:
Contact can be made via satellite phone [local mobile phone coverage is patchy]
Phone Greenpeace communications officer Dean Baigent-Mercer at:
Satellite phone; +88 165 144 5020
Mobile 021 302 251
Mobile 022 6730 572
For more information on the campaign go to; www.stopdeepseaoil.org.nz
For information on yachts involved in the flotilla and bio's of the skippers go to; http://www.stopdeepseaoil.org.nz/boats.html