Mr Maharey was speaking in a general debate about New
Zealand's
behaviour at a recent United Nations climate change meeting in
Vienna,
claiming "Greenpeace were very happy with the performance of our
delegation there".
"That's nonsense," said Greenpeace Executive Director Bunny
McDiarmid.
"NGOs at the negotiations have described New Zealand's
contribution as
'disgraceful and shameful'.
"What we know is that the New Zealand delegation went into that
meeting
opposing targets that would have achieved the kind of emission
reductions needed to avoid dangerous levels of climate change.
"It's possible those officials were then contacted by people
higher up
the ranks in New Zealand and told to pull their socks up. Either
way,
it's a terrible look for New Zealand and we should have a much
clearer
and unequivocal commitment to tackling climate change.
"For the Minister to claim we were "happy with the
government's
performance" is ridiculous."
Mr Maharey went on to say that "Greenpeace don't seem to have an
awful
lot of love for this particular government".
"Again, ridiculous," said Ms McDiarmid. "Greenpeace doesn't feel
one way
or the other about ANY government. Climate change is an issue
that no
government can afford to ignore. It requires unprecedented
cooperation
across all parties and all Governments, if we're to reduce our
greenhouse gas emissions.
"It's imperative Prime Minister Helen Clark takes a stronger
stance over
climate change at APEC this week than her Government took in
Vienna."
Exp. contact date: 2007-10-06 00:00:00