16 November 2000

Green Party Animal Welfare Spokesperson Sue Kedgley today said she disagreed completely with comments from Sir Tipene O'Regan that stranded whales should not be saved and should be left to die.

"While we fully support the rights of Maori to use the remains of dead whales for carving, as they have always done, we do not agree that humans should turn our backs on beached whales to ensure that they die," she said.

"There are serious animal welfare issues in Mr O'Regan's proposal. The Green Party does not support practices which cause unnecessary suffering to animals, let alone highly intelligent and rare mammals like whales.

"Mr O'Regan says we should let nature run its course in letting whales die on our beaches. I say it is a part of human nature to want to help these highly developed animals which in so many respects are so similar to ourselves."

Ms Kedgley said Mr O'Regan's proposals were cruel and inhumane and would shock most New Zealanders.

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