Comments on: An Orwellian Visit To Lyttelton

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:34:18 +0000

So Greenpeace has the right to complain about the security of the Lyttelton Port and then bolt themselves to a coal ship?

Certainly this in itself is a breach of security, I’ve never known Greenpeace to be so hypocritical.

By: Ken Maynard

Ken Maynard — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:30:04 +0000

Friends and family visiting crew on ships in Lyttelton have to have their names at the gate and produce photo Id. NZ’s Maritime Security Act owes rather more to George W’s war on terrorism than most of us would like. I think LPC did what they could to ease the security issues. You could even park at their place to catch the bus to the ship. It’s clear though, that Lyttelton port needs both open and secure areas to make visits like that of the Rainbow Warrior more welcoming; let’s hope that happens soon.

It was great to visit RW II on Good Friday. The work done by the frontline Greenpeace people is amazing, not to mention terrifying.

The guys on board confirmed that Lyttelton was no worse than other ports around the world for razor wire and such. Just a thought - what if the defences at Auckland Harbour had been better in 1985? Might that have stopped the French Government causing the death of Mr Pereira? Certainly catching the miscreant after the event did no good. He served a laughably short sentence in NZ, showed no remorse, and returned to France to get a medal. Nice one.

Hats off to Greenpeace for doing their stuff in the face of all the adversity.

By: liss

liss — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:38:33 +0000

hi mel here thats so great you and your wife and neice where able to go see the rainbow warrior i wish i could of gone to the open day just to go see it how lucky i get what yol say with about secrity reasons which is apart of life true! all good not a non rights issue sweet i sometims jump to conclusions and bite to soon lol.

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:57:09 +0000

Hi there,
Today, Good Friday, I visited the Rainbow Warrior with my wife and niece and two young children. We are Greenpeace Supporters and today we even upped our contributions. Some of the above comments must be from people who never visited the Warrior. I and my family never felt anything else but satisfied with the way the tour was handled today. Security is part of everything we do as people today - you know, I even locked my car in Lyttelton today - for security - even wore a hat to keep the sun off me - personal security.
The security checks were to enter the Port Company premises - nothing to do with loss of rights, George Bush, Sept 11th or anything. You people who think of a conspiracy, step back, give yourself an uppercut or two and take your pills. You need them.
The tour was excellent, personable and well done - meeting these young people who are doing this great work is a treat. I am proud of them.

By: liss

liss — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:09:30 +0000

hi what up first time supporter i just read that oh man what a rat shat deal such a cool boat sitting there ah sitting floating money making attraction im from palmerston north i would totally dig going for a blat around in such a funky looking boat why so paranoid about it man! yous the town could make a fee or dontaion tour guide group go onto the boat every so often like afew times a week at certain times its a attraction Hello! how cool is that! the money should go back into the community to help with any issues the people might have! maybe like environmental issues wild life concerns recyling the sallys any one in need of being heard the needy the down n outs get what im saying hehehe! word! YEAH SO SPEAK UP TOWNS PEOPLE livin there! u have my support on yol boat come on its the rainbow warrior how cool is that!

from
melissa

By: Wayne

Wayne — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:05:25 +0000

It does come across as extreme. Gives power brokers, something to broker. Anyway it’s Easter, so do what you have to do and get the most out of Greenpeace’s visit. They’re the ones that count, not the port authorities.

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:20:09 +0000

You would think that, after loosing the first Rainbow Warrior to terrorism, that of all the societies Greenpeace would recognize the need for such necessary security.

By: Rien

Rien — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:39:48 +0000

Why oh why does our government and Port authorities follow in the footsteps of other paranoid countries Maritime organisations…. Do we really need to buy into this stuff? Paranoia feeds paranoia - fear feeds fear…. Although the rules have been temporarily relaxed this time for the “Rainbow Warrior” open boat days, will they be the next time as well? Will they be in Dunedin and Wellington, or when an other Greenpeace ship visits NZ in the future? Are we all potential terrorists?

By: Chris Twemlow

Chris Twemlow — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:10:48 +0000

I live in Lyttelton, and most residents are dissatisfied with Lyttelton Port of Christchurch - a ratepayer owned company, not being able to professionally organise the port security for both public and private enterprise.

It is time to extend the port along the eastern channel, open the centre of the harbour wharves to public transport and access and develop an adquate ferry terminal that connects with central lyttelton. Industrial traffic, including trains should be directed to the tunnel without using Norwich Quay.

By: nick

nick — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:10:14 +0000

There is an update on this situation here.