More than 30
organisations have united behind the upcoming March for Nature in
Auckland, where thousands are expected to take to Queen
Street in opposition to the Government’s plans to open up
public conservation land to commercial
exploitation.
The organisations backing the march span
unions, environmental charities, scientific societies,
ratepayer associations and outdoor recreation groups. They
include the PSA, NZEI and Unite Unions, the NZ Botanical
Society, Environmental Law Initiative, Mindful Money, and
Athletes for Nature.
Greenpeace spokesperson
Gen Toop says the breadth of support shows how
deeply people across Aotearoa care about nature – and how
united they are in opposing the Government’s Conservation
Amendment Bill.
“Unions, scientists, environmental
groups, outdoor organisations and local communities are
united and are coming together to say enough is enough.
Public conservation land must remain protected for nature
and for future generations.”
“We may come from all
walks of life, but we are united by a simple truth: people
in Aotearoa care deeply about the ancient forests, wild
landscapes and pristine waters of this country and we will
stand together to protect them.”
Greenpeace is
particularly concerned about proposed section 6A of the
Conservation Amendment Bill, which would require the
Conservation Act to enable commercial development on
conservation land ‘to the greatest extent
practicable’.
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“No one wants to see ancient trees
felled to make way for carparks, or their favourite hunting
area turned into an open-cast mine. No one wants to see wild
and remote beaches ruined by tacky hotels. But that is the
kind of exploitation this Bill could enable,” says
Toop.
“We’re talking about some of the most
spectacular places in Aotearoa – places like Rangitoto,
Cathedral Cove, Mount Taranaki and Milford Sound. These
places should be protected for nature, not opened up to
greater commercial exploitation.
“This Government may
have hoped that by moving fast enough, on enough fronts in
its war on nature, people would become overwhelmed and give
up. But the opposite is happening.”
“People understand
what is at stake. Generations have fought to keep these
places wild, for the wildlife that depends on them and for
those who come after us. That’s why so many organisations
from across society are coming together to march against
this Bill.”
Toop says people in Aotearoa have fought a
similar battle before – and won.
“In 2010, when the
John Key Government proposed opening Schedule 4 conservation
land to mining, 40,000 people marched down Queen Street.
Faced with overwhelming public opposition, the Government
backed down.
“Sixteen years later, we are having to
come back to Queen Street to defend these places again. And
once again, we are seeing people from all walks of life
coming together again to say: hands off conservation
land.”
The march – spearheaded by Greenpeace and
Forest & Bird – begins at 1pm in Albert Park Auckland on
Saturday the 19th of September. More information on the
march can be found at marchfornature.nz.
