Happy Valley Occupation - Day 5 & 6

The occupation continues in Happy Valley as the first week comes to a close. You can keep up to date by visiting the occupation blog.

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2 February 2006
OCCUPATION DAY 5!
~Media coverage
~A performing snail
~Cake delivered by helicopter to Valley
~Wetland ecologist with tv1
~Rain!
~Support
On Tuesday TV1 flew in to the valley with wetland ecologist Alan Mark. He showed the journalist various plant species and stated clearly that the wetland transfer is unfeasible. (This aired on Wednesday night). Powelliphanta patrickensis even performed for the cameras; there is now rare moving footage of this snail. TV 3 also had a piece on Happy Valley on Wednesday. The crew were joined on Tuesday by a Herald journalist who is writing a feature article for this weekend. Make sure you check this out; it should be a two page spread.

Other recent arrivals include more people from Auckland, and world walker Gregor Sieboeck. Originally from Austria, Gregor is walking the continents to encourage people to live sustainably.

There were still 25 people at base camp on Tuesday night. Cake from supporters was sent in with the chopper - and was very much appreciated! Kiwi are still being heard every night. The first bit of rain finally fell (after days and days of brilliant sunshine). Camp is ship-tight and people are going strong.

Press releases in support of the occupation have come from groups such the Green Party and Greenpeace. Kind veggie donations have come from Motueka and Taranaki. Please keep such awesome support flowing, as well as postcard distribution, letters to the editor and joining us in the valley.

At present, we are planning the weekend of 11th February; please contact Kristin on 021 838 083 to confirm a ride in and other details if you are able to join the occupation.

Dan Rae & Francie Mountier Members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition

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3 February 2006 World Wetlands Day!

Today was world Wetlands day, and we celebrated it in style by being amongst this beautiful and unique ecosystem here in Happy Valley.

We woke up early after being kept awake all night by Kiwi calling. We toiled to bring old bits of 4 x 2 salvaged from the St Pats dam and dead wood from the forest back to camp, and worked through the day creating a storm-proof kitchen area. A weka spent lunchtime chewing through our compost heap while we enjoyed pasta and vegetables.

Giant weta provided an excuse to stop work and those in the camp eagerly looked forward to the return of those that had gone to Westport to get fresh food and news of the outside world. The weather is threatening to pack up this weekend, and the kitchen is a welcome addition to the Happy Valley rescue station.

Happy World Wetlands Day!