Melanie - Campaigner | Home | Regine - Boat Driver

Hi, my name is Karli and I'm the expedition leader onboard the Esperanza for this campaign in the Southern Ocean.

I'm from a small place at the northernmost tip of New Zealand's South Island, called Golden Bay (someone told me recently that they thought everyone should be from a place with a name like that). At the entrance to the Bay is a sandspit, where sometimes whole pods of whales get stranded.

That was always a time when the whole community would get together with buckets, gumboots, wetsuits, whatever - and try to save the whales by re-floating them with the next high tide. I remember going by bus from our little country school to the windswept beach to help with the efforts. It was always sad when some of those whales could not be saved ­ but it's not as heartbreaking as when people go out to deliberately hunt whales in one of the most untouched parts of our planet.

Growing up so close to the ocean means it has always been my passion. I first worked on marine issues when I was in Tonga, and helped with public education about whales, and promoting whale watching. Tonga has a successful whale-watching industry, and the humpback whales that people go there to see may be the same whales that the Japanese Government intends to add to its hunting plans for the next whaling season.

There are so many threats facing our oceans, and I want to help make sure that hunting whales is no longer one of those threats.

And, make some more marine reserves.

See Karli's profile from the Mexico leg of the expedition »

Good Luck out there, sure you won't need it but keep it in a little bag under your pilow somewhere just in case. Amazing to see someone follow through with somehting their whole life. I used to run a project helping stray street dogs but I gave it away. So I really respect someone who sticks with it and goes to the coal face to confront the forces of darkness.

all the best,
be nice if more leaders in the world were as attractive as you ;)

"She's all right... stop perving... "

Good on you Karli, but why does it say Japan under your name?

Sorry Liz, my typo! Fixed now

Hey Karls, I'm glad u didnt decide to showcase any of your new bikinis in that photo - your appearance already seems to be a bit of a distraction for some of your readers!!

Anyway, I'm glad i did get to 'see you' before you took off on this expedition, even if it was via satellite! If it had been face to face then I could have given you huge hugs and told u how proud i am to see you there and read what you put in your weblog. All the best for the trip. see you when you're back safe and sound...
arohanui,
Nomesie+Flib xx

Good luck out there defending the whales. I will look after your (empty) chair here in the office and get annoyed by the automatic blinds for you.

SX

Hi Karli!! I was half asleep in front of the teli when your picture came up and I thought - I know her!!! I am so proud of you!!! I will be sending you lots of positive energy and thoughts for your very brave voyage!
I called Chana right away and Lei, Em, Nick & Lise - they missed the broad cast(Dami is up North in the wilds saving trees from the Pine Beetle). We are all so excited to hear of your endeavours. Not enough space to explain what everyone is up to - but we are all doing very well. Send my love to Sarah, Liz and Dai. Love always - Pat

As you defend the whales I'll be at home protesting, mailing letters, using the net for activism, and doing peaceful direct action civil disobedience campaigns with Greenpeace.

We're behind you all the way!

Webcam seems to be poorly for several days now.

Can you fix it?

Working on it! It's broken at the moment...

Hi Karli, hope things are going well out there and i will wish you a happy birthday for next week now because i always leave it too late. Lots of Hugs and cups of tea:)

Hey good luck and be careful! You're a legend! x

How are you coping on the roller coaster? Did you decide to go with the tablets or rough it out naturally?

I'm thoroughly enjoying following your antics through the blog. Look forward to hearing the behind the scenes stuff some other time.

Hope you are well and having a ball!

Hey there mateys,

Thanks your comments and early birthday wishes! All is well onboard, no seasickness to report yet, and nope I haven't taken anything. The past 24 hours have got somewhat rougher, and I wrote a wee blog about it yesterday.

Actually I am quite enjoying the assisted-stair-climbing, just don't quote that back to me when i (a) trip and fall and lose my front teeth on the stairs, or (b) get stricken with deathly seasickness.

PS hoping for a whaling fleet for my birthday...

xx Karli

Happy Birthday!!!! Thinking of you today. Hope you have a great time rocking and rolling around that boat..........Liz

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAR! I hope you have had/will have (not too sure about the time thung) a great day and enjoye(d) a few treats! I wonder how bubbly goes down when you're pitching and rolling?! I'm glad to hear you have seen (and photographed) your first iceberg for the album, and I hope you also find those darstedly whalers soon too. Love you lots sis, RESPECT (and cuddles) xxx saz

Thank you for your dedication and passion. I appreciate the time you have taken to help protect the whales. You are truly appreciated as well as the crew of the Esperanza. Definitely heros in my book.

Hi Karli,

I had your job in the early '90s, and my thoughts are with you guys. Have a great trip, whatever it may hold!

--Dana

Thanks for being out there & doing a great job. The situation with the stricken boat doesn't look good. Are we getting an true assessment of the danger of an oil spill from the whalers, do you think? Kia kaha

Hi Karli, have you made slushies yet? I'm still waiting for my photos!
xxxTTT

Hey Karli - Do they have any "head and shoulders" on the Espy? If so, I think you might want to give it a go! :-D

Hey Karli,
see you are approaching the Australian coast now. When will you be coming to NZ????? I am in Auckland till Tuesday evening, then back to Wellinton. Liz

We can stop the waling by making some wales lowe radio active so the wales can not be eating by the JAPPANESE. You shoot a small capsule into them and let this dissolve without harming them.

Just a thought if this can be done
Frank