1000 km walk reaches Happy Valley

"WALKING THE WALK", an team of conservationists are about to complete a three month, 1000 kilometre on-foot journey from Auckland to Happy Valley, an area of national ecological significance. The team has arrived in Westport and hopes to complete the tramp into the Valley by Friday or Monday, weather permitting.

HAPPY VALLEY is 256 hectares of rare sub-alpine ecological wetland, habitat of 13 protected and endangered species of plants, birds, and other animals.

HEATHER SIMPSON, a member of the "WALK THE WALK" team may have worn out her shoes out but not her determination.

"It is beyond belief in this day and age that our government can be behind the destruction of a pristine sub-alpine ecosystem such as Happy Valley, to produce coal, - the number one cause of climate change" she stated.

Five million tonnes of coal is expected to be produced from the site which will be exported. When burnt this would emit 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Ms Simpson is calling on the Prime Minister to "Walk the talk" by putting a moratorium on new coal mines. Helen Clark recently received a United Nations award for work on Climate Change. Miss Clark has banned new coal fired power stations in New Zealand.

Heather Simpson and the team have visited 43 towns along the way receiving a variety of responses as varied as being applauded, abused, and even shot at in Palmerston North. "In the main we were very well supported by average New Zealanders who were appalled to hear what the government is doing" said Ms. Simpson.

"Parents and children at schools were disappointed to hear that the proposed mine is still going ahead. People who struggle to provide habitat for native birds near their towns were surprised that ten kiwi will be put at risk" she recalls.

In Wellington they camped outside parliament grounds and presented a book entitled "Dear Helen Clark" filled with submissions. A banner with "Stop Greenwash, No Coal" was also presented to Trevor Mallard, who is both Minister for the Environment and Minister of State Owned Enterprises.

Heather Simpson and her team will be available to be interviewed on 021-256-4676 or 021-175-0665 on cell phone reception equipment on reaching Happy Valley

For Information on Happy Valley, contact Alan Leifting, Spokesman, Save Happy Valley Coalition, tel (03) 3853830 or 027 6461425, or go to www.savehappyvalley.org.nz

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Heather says she agrees that miners livelihood is important. "Some towns rely on mining jobs. They see no other way to feed their families and pay rent." She says living without income while on the walk has opened her eyes. "It's not easy for three months, let alone years!"

Heather says she has been touched by people's generosity. "They offered gifts of home baking, veges from their garden, hot coffee, showers and sometimes bags of food. Once we awoke to find our camp decorated with beautiful roses by a mystery well-wisher."

In return for help the group gave out vegetable seeds and helped in gardens. "The most valuable investment you can have at this crucial point in history is a garden" she says.

In Motueka the group camped on a proposed McDonalds site and were hosted by "Uniquely Motueka," a group that supports local food production and local economies.

"While open cast coal mining provides some livelihoods it has eroded others" Simpson says, "Acid Mine Drainage pollutes fresh water and destroys local fish reserves. Without forest and wetlands the natural drought and flood regulation is lost. There is no net local gain once environmental costs are considered.

Their support car runs on vege oil recycled from a fish and chip shop. It is only for gear that cannot be carried. "A group of soldiers offered me a lift on the desert road in a downpour" she recalls. " I said 'Thanks but I' m walking to Westport.' They were amazed that someone would do this off their own bat."