Kaikoura Whaling Response
Kaikoura Electorate Green Party candidate, Steffan Browning, has launched an initiative for every household in Kaikoura
township to protest Japans intention to include Humpback whaling in its so called scientific harvest.
As the annual June – July Humpback whale migration along the Kaikoura coast begins, the International Whaling Commission
meets on June 20, with Japan trying to include a 50 Humpback whale cull. Whale watching, including the seasonal Humpback
migration, is a major component of the Kaikoura district’s economy.
An information leaflet that includes a call to write to the Ambassador of Japan asking for his government to stop
whaling, is being delivered to all homes in Kaikoura.
The initiative was endorsed by Whale Watch Executive Assistant Thomas Kahu and Kaikoura Mayor Kevin Heays at meetings on
Tuesday.
Most Kaikoura businesses approached are promoting the ‘write in campaign’.
“There has been fantastic support”, said Steffan Browning after meeting numerous business operators. “ People are
scathing of the Japanese government’s farcical “scientific” culling of whales for the Japanese supermarkets.”
“Japanese claims of cultural or customary necessity don’t stack up when their whaling fleets operate outside their own
territorial waters, particularly when targeting an endangered species such as the Humpback. It appears that the Japanese
Government doesn’t understand the word sustainability’, said the Green Party candidate. “ New Zealands tangata whenua
are making a far better use of the resource through tourism while encouraging regeneration of the worlds whale
populations.”
“I am encouraging the ‘write in’ to the Ambassador of Japan as part of an initiative that the Green Party has taken to
the New Zealand Parliament, with a call to MPs from all parties to sign a joint letter to the Japanese Prime Minister
opposing his government's recent decision to expand its whaling programme. The Green’s have encouraged Green Parties
internationally to follow suit”, said Steffan Browning.
The address for letters or notes of concern is
Ambassador of Japan
Embassy of Japan,
PO Box 6340,
Wellington.
ENDS