Native Forest Action
Media Release
29 April 2000

NATIVE FOREST MURAL CELEBRATES EARTH DAY

A large mural picturing the South Island's famous Okarito forests has been painted on the road to Wellington Airport to prick the consciences of politicians and the public about continued logging of the tall rimu forests at Okarito. The mural was completed this morning to celebrate Earth Day but will remain for the coming months as a reminder that, despite government promises, Timberlands is still logging the forest.

The mural was designed by Vanessa Patea of Artists for the Forests, assisted by Tina McIvor and Rich Neame. Artists for the Forests has arranged a series of community art projects in the last two years.

"I think most New Zealanders assume that the logging has finally stopped on the West Coast but it hasn't", Ms Patea said. "At Okarito, home of the white herons, logging continues in an area that is an island within the South Westland World Heritage Area. It is madness to allow logging roads and chainsaws into one of New Zealand's finest forests."

Earth Day is an international event designed to raise awareness of environmental issues. "In New Zealand, a priority is informing the public that West Coast logging isn't over and that the government needs to fulfill it's election promises."

For more Information Contact: Vanessa Patea, Artists for the Forests, ph 04-383-9886 or Dean Baigent-Mercer, national spokesperson, Native Forest Action 04-383-5168

NB Artists will be adding finishing touches to the mural along Evans' Bay at 8:30am which is attached to the side of a boatshed.

ENDS

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