Campaign Update 11
Join the occupation this summer! Get involved in your local group! Talk with people about climate change or sponsor a snail!
Kia ora koutou,
Save Happy Valley was established in April 2004 at a campout in the valley and we've been fighting for its protection ever since. From public meetings around the country to a train blockade, to the continuous occupation of the valley (now nearing 9 months), so far it is working! The valley remains safe, as do the weka, the kiwi, the gorge, the Waimangaroa River and the Cypress Stream. Camp is incredibly well set up with recent additions of a ‘garage’ and a wood-storing tarpaulin shed. There needs to be a massive summer of activity to ensure our success so far continues. Read on!
Augustus Update
There needs to be an outpouring of opposition to Solid Energy’s operations at nearby Mt Augustus, on the edge of the Stockton mine. Here, the state owned enterprise is rushing to mine the last remaining habitat of Powelliphanta “Augustus” which is highly likely to lead to the extinction of this absolutely protected species.
More than 800 snails have been ripped off the hill and are being stored in ice-cream containers in the fridge in Hokitika. That would still be reversible – so long as the habitat is not destroyed, the snails could still be returned to their home and saved. This is the precarious position the snails are in right now. We await the decision from the Environment Court case heard 16th-20th October, where we argued Solid Energy have no legal right to mine the habitat and the Judicial Review (to be heard in December) where we will argue that the Minister of Conservation was incorrect in granting Solid Energy a permit to ‘transfer’ the snails. Meanwhile, please tell people about this awesome carnivorous snail, and encourage them to sponsor a snail; see http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/augustus_action or below for details on how.
Recent News
Happy Valley activists acquitted. In August, three Save Happy Valley activists defended their solidarity action on the headquarters of Solid Energy. Two were acquitted of their charges, whilst Dan Rae (who had previously taken action at the HQ in defence of Happy Valley) was convicted on charges of trespass and unlawfully being on a building. Financial support for Dan's fines can be paid into 03 0674 0099879 025
Don Elder’s lecture disrupted. Members of Save Happy Valley Christchurch called Solid Energy CEO Don Elder to account on the 22nd of August at the annual Hopkins lecture where he had the arrogance to speak on "The Economy and Energy: are both sustainable?". Elder was interrupted by a Kiwi looking around the audience and loudly calling for its mate. Later, two activists took centre stage as they addressed the crowd on why Elder had no right to speak on the topic of sustainability while his company was driving species to extinction, polluting waterways and contributing to climate change. Press release: http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/pr_23-08-06_chch
Solid Energy’s surveillance camera found at occupation. Several thousand dollars worth of spying equipment were discovered on public land, camouflaged near the start of the track into the occupation. The equipment, which included a camera with 27x optical zoom, over one hundred metres of cable, a hard drive and four dry cell batteries, was hidden in bush and covered with camouflage fabric. We have called on Solid Energy (or their private investigators, Thompson & Clark) to come and collect it – with no response yet! Press release: http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/pr_10-10-06_shvc
Snaily and West Coast DOC. A giant Powelliphanta "Augustus" snail, with a Save Happy Valley Coalition activist inside, locked itself to the Department of Conservation West Coast conservancy office on the 14th September, blocking the entrance. Other activists visited Mike Slater, Conservator, in his office to read him a list of demands, including the immediate return of all the snails to their habitat, and a stop to DOC’s collusion with species extinction. Snaily was later cut off by the police, and featured on TVNZ news that evening, accompanied by chants of ‘Mike Slater, Snail Exterminator.’ Press releases: http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/pr_14-09-06_shvc and http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/pr_14-09-06b_shvc
Other News.
• Successful Wellington public meeting on 17th August
• Film screenings of 'An Inconvenient Truth' in both Wellington and Christchurch
• Business Round Table meeting on climate change disrupted in Wellington
• Fundraising concert in Wellington
Upcoming Events
Happy Valley Art Auction (fundraiser). Friday December 1st 2006, 7pm @ High Street Project, 140 Lichfield St, Christchurch. Preview works or place bid via email www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/auction from 1 November. Email auction@savehappyvalley.org.nz or phone Frances Mountier (021) 175 7484 for more information. Artworks include Colin Luxton, Craig Potton, Andrew Forrest, Genius Aotearoa, Rudolf Boelee, Malcolm Walker, numerous local artists and photographic works by Jenny Bell, Tim Bailey and Malcolm Carr of Happy Valley.
International Day of Action on Climate Change
Christchurch: Beach Party @ Solid Energy HQ. Friday 3rd at 3:45pm – 6pm outside 2 Show Place, Addington, Christchurch. If carbon dioxide emissions continue unchecked and Greenland melts, then Solid Energy’s headquarters will be the beach. So come along and highlight how urgent it is that we take action on climate change, help save Happy Halley and have a beach party! Bring boats, kayaks, your togs, veg sausages for the bbq and your friends!
Wellington: Kite flying and body painting to highlight the destruction wrought by Solid Energy on the Coast and also wind energy as a positive solution to coal burning for electricity production. November 4th at Parliament. Contact Alex at winteralex@student.vuw.ac.nz for more info.
Auckland: Join Climaction and their PARTY on the street with frivolity and paddling pools and kids and whatnot. It's a family-friendly carnival, so come along and tell everyone you know and have fun! From 1pm, November 4th @ Aotea Square.
Leonard Cohen Tribute Fundraiser Gig. Thursday Nov 16th at The Paramount Bar, Wellington.
Get Involved
Join the Occupation. We would love people to join us in the continuous occupation of the valley over summer. Check out http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/occupation or email occupation@savehappyvalley.org.nz or text the occupation coordinator on 021 161 0929. Watch out for upcoming guided tours – including the 12 month mark trip on the 28th-29th January.
Sponsor a Snail. For just $10 you can help save the entire Powelliphanta “Augustus” population from extinction. Please send a $10 cheque to Save Happy Valley Coalition, PO Box 9263, Te Aro, Wellington, with a request for a certificate, your name and your choice of snail name. If you wish to be kept up to date on your snail’s fate, please also enclose your email address. If you would like to sponsor a snail and pay via electronic banking, please email contact@savehappyvalley.org.nz with your details and to arrange payment. Remember to include your address so we can send out the certificate. Our kiwibank account is Save Happy Valley campaign: 38-9003-0334146-00
Join a local group. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch groups all have regular organising meetings, to which all are welcome to attend. Nelson is currently organising via phone and email. If you’d like to help out, contact your local group:
Auckland: auckland@savehappyvalley.org.nz
Wellington: wellington@savehappyvalley.org.nz
Christchurch: savehappyvalley@yahoo.com
Nelson: ael@tasman.net or (03) 548 6803
Leaflets, Stickers, Postcards... We have 8000 more leaflets and plenty of bumper stickers and the postcards. To order, please send your name and address, plus quantities needed, to:
The Green Room
16 Bedford Row
Christchurch
(03) 372 1375
chchgreens@xtra.co.nz
Save Happy Valley DVD. Runs 11 minutes; details the ecological value of Happy Valley and Mt Augustus, the threats posed by Solid Energy, climate change and biodiversity, and the campaign to Save the valley so far. To get a copy, please email frances.mountier@gmail.com with “SHV DVD” in the subject line.
Donations. With a big summer looming and the court cases, we need funds just as much as ever. Cheques can be made out to “Save Happy Valley Coalition” and sent to us at:
Save Happy Valley Coalition
PO Box 9263
Te Aro
Wellington
Direct transfers can be made to the following account:
Name: Save Happy Valley Coalition
Account number: 38-9003-0334146-00
If you would like to set up a regular donation to us, please download the Automatic Payment form (PDF) or email us and we'll send one out to you. Just fill these out, sign, and take into your bank. A regular donation of just $5 goes a long way.
Thank you for all your support so far,
~ Frances Mountier
Save Happy Valley Coalition
www.savehappyvalley.org.nz
