Warrior arrives in New Zealand

The Rainbow Warrior sailed into Auckland's Waitemata Harbour today with anti-GE banners a-flying. The crew were welcomed with a traditional Maori powhiri performed by the kapa haka group from Hoani Waititi School.

"I've been to New Zealand before but have never had such a wonderful welcome," said the Dutch Captain of the Rainbow Warrior Frans van Dijk. "We had a tough trip across the Tasman, so we're very happy to be in New Zealand and we're looking forward to getting on with the campaign."

The Warrior is intrinsically linked to New Zealand through the tragic bombing of her predecessor in Auckland on 10 July 1985 by the French Secret Service.

"The Rainbow Warrior is a powerful symbol and a true workhorse for the good of the planet," said Steve Abel our GE campaigner in New Zealand. "Her presence here links our GE free campaign in New Zealand with recent successes in Australia and the historic nuclear free pacific campaign in which the first Warrior was lost."

Greenpeace New Zealand is running a public campaign against Australian poultry company Inghams that imports around 50,000 tonnes of GE contaminated soya into New Zealand each year. So far they have successfully targeted McDonald's that buys its poultry from Inghams.

"GE crops are bad for the environment. Production of GE soya has lead to increased chemical use, herbicide resistant weeds, lower yields and contamination of conventional and organic crops," said Abel. "Inghams GE soya feed is the biggest source of GE contamination in the New Zealand food chain and people don't want to eat GE fed chicken."

The Warrior will be berthed at the Princess Wharf over the weekend and free public open boats will be held on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May. Her inspiring history and ongoing work will be told to the public by crewmembers and local campaigners. Tours are from 10am until 4pm on each day. There will also be school group tours of the Rainbow Warrior over the coming week.

Take Action:

- Tell McDonalds to stop using GE soy fed chicken

- Get involved in our Trolley Watch: Click here to see how you can help.

- Check out what is happening in your country

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