Greenpeace New Zealand Weblog

Open boat talks (C) GREENPEACE / Sharomov

I take it all back! Gisborne is a meteorological chocolate box. I woke at 4:30am to pouring rain, an open cabin hatch and a developing puddle on the floor. And the rain pretty much didn’t stop.

Over breakfast we all cursed the weather gods and crossed our fingers that the Gisborne community would still brave our open day.

Luckily a team of volunteers had come down from Auckland to help set up for it. In howling wind we erected tarpaulins and ploughed on. Also, it was unseasonably cold. Hats off to our open boat coordinator Sheena, who was a picture of determination throughout (even when the awnings almost blew off into the Harbour). But the people came! Read more »

The great pumpkin caper (C) GRENPEACE / Sharomov

Gisborne really is everything they say it is – hot, sunny and very friendly! Friendly incident 1: After a gallant entry into the Harbour, we were welcomed by members of a local iwi with a powhiri. We then retired to the mess for biscuits, a cup of tea and a chat. (The poor chef, Babu, had been a bit confused when the campaign director asked him if we had any “bikkies” on board. Being not familiar with this term, he was sure she had said something pertaining to the assistant chef. Confusion ensued, but all’s well that ends well and we had a very nice morning tea.) Read more »

Today we cast off the mooring lines and set sail for Gisborne. As we left port, the non sea-faring section of the Auckland Greenpeace office lined the wharf to wave us off. The 13-month old son of the ship’s bosun was even dressed for the occasion with a little t-shirt bearing the words “good bye”. There were hugs and farewell words whispered. As we cast off, everyone cheered and laughed. Spirits were high. I can’t say mine stayed that way for long. In fact I have little to report of the transit so far. I began to feel queasy while we were still in the Hauraki Gulf (fortunately I had already had my safety briefing, so I knew, among other things, that if I was pregnant I should not be on the ship, and that in the event of an emergency I was to save myself before even thinking of others). Through necessity I took to my bunk for a few hours and have only just surfaced. Read more »