Friday outside the Fonterra office at Midland Park
Date (12.30-1.30pm)
Protest location
2 June 2023
Midland Park
9 June 2023
Parliament Lawn
16 June 2023
Midland Park
23 June 2023
Parliament Lawn
30 June 2023
Midland Park
7 July 2023
Parliament Lawn
If the weather’s looking iffy on a Parliament protest day, we decide on the morning whether to protest at Midland Park instead – which is more sheltered. If we change our location, we will update this post by mid-morning.
There’s a perception that it’s too windy and wet to ride your bike regularly in Wellington. But cycling advocate Steve dived into NIWA’s Wellington weather stats from the last few decades. He found that – not only has the amount light wind been more than you’d expect, but it’s remained consistent into the present.
Steve made this infographic after studying NIWA’s weather data* for the year 2010, a typical year from Niwa’s data block of 1981 – 2010. During this 30 year period, the average wind speed was 18.9km per hour (categorised ‘Gentle’ on the Beaufort Wind Scale). The period from 2010 – 2023 has the ‘wind run’ (average wind speed) at 18.6kmh which shows the same conditions apply now.
A similar process was used to extract the rainfall data.
Readings from Centreport’s mast at Glasgow Wharf, and numerous clubs like the outdoor arts groups, corroborate these findings – you can’t use easels and watercolours in wind and rain!
*The information was from NIWA’s “Cliflo” data program, covering the period 1981-2023.
Was a lovely day on Friday 28 April – compared to the wet and dreary previous Friday – and it was great to see those who turned up to support our event.
Nobel-prize winning scientist Martin Manning spoke about how he and his colleagues published research on climate change decades ago – only to be met with very little action from governments.
Patrick Geddes told us how the big gentailers (generators and retailers of electricity) put profit before people and planet, ensuring fossil fuels are always in the mix.
Caz spoke about the need to transition to cleaner transport options (like buses, trains, walking and cycling).
Francesca implored Fonterra to change their mindset on what they produce, that is both profitable and less damaging to our environment (clue: plant-based milk). Simon Power from Fonterra was invited to attend but did not turn up.
Brielle lead us in a singalong of climate protest songs, showcasing her beautiful voice and guitar-playing.
The forecast for tomorrow (21 April) is for heavy rain around midday onwards. We want maximum enjoyment from the our early Earth Day event, so we’ve had to make the difficult decision to postpone it to Friday 28 April.
So we’re having a late Earth Day event instead – hope you can make it!
Tomorrow we’ll hold our usual Midland Park protest.
Apart from our co-collaborators School Strike 4 Climate Whanganui-a-Tara , we want to thank the following organisations for their practical support. Without it, organising the march and rally would have much so much harder.
They provided high vis, marshals, road cones, PA gear, megaphones, meeting and storage spaces and more:
PSA
Peace Action Wellington
Twofiftyseven
VUWSA
WEGC
Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition
Also, the Police for keeping the marchers safe, and WCC for traffic management advice and support.
Last but not least, the individuals who volunteered with putting up posters, first aid, marshalling, and more!