Protesters Dig Coal Company’s Lawn

OTAUTAHI/CHRISTCHURCH: On Friday 10th December demonstrators dug up Solid Energy's front lawn in protest against the planned Happy Valley coal mine. Other protesters, dressed as kiwi, served Solid Energy staff relocation notices.

OTAUTAHI/CHRISTCHURCH: On Friday 10th December demonstrators dug up Solid Energy's front lawn in protest against the planned Happy Valley coal mine. Other protesters, dressed as kiwi, served Solid Energy staff relocation notices.

In a parody of Solid Energy's plans to mine the West Coast's Happy Valley and relocate threatened indigenous species, kiwi attempted to move Solid Energy staff after "discovering" coal on the premises.

More than 25 people participated in the action.

A spokesperson for the group said, “Solid Energy plans to destroy over 250 hectares of native habitat and poison the surrounding ecosystem. This is ecoterrorism.”

“This is not just a West Coast issue; it's a national and international issue. Climate change is already happening; coal mining must stop now.”

A kiwi spokesperson (translated) stated, "You dig our home, we'll dig yours!"

TV3 filmed the event and seemed concerned by the actions of the group. The reporter was heard to remark, “I think that’s illegal, isn’t it?”

There was also a strange emotionless Solid Energy woman who, with hands on hips, repeatedly asked us to stop digging.

One policeman, who arrived rather late in proceedings, asked several people if they were in charge, and was confused by the lack of a clear authority figure. He grabbed one person who asked him to stop assaulting her and when asked her name she questioned if she was under arrest, at which point she pulled free and jovially sauntered off.

Police were heard to remark, “they are running like chickens”, when it was quite clearly the case that the protesters were kiwi.

All involved considered the action a success, and enjoyed the opportunity to mock Solid Energy in full daylight.