Greenpeace NZ executive director Russel Norman changes mind and will plead guilty over protest
Friday, 27 April 2018
Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman and a fellow activist have changed their minds and will plead guilty to interfering in the operations of a oil industry survey ship.
Norman and Howell and a third man intercepted oil industry survey ship Amazon Warrior as it carried out work off the Wairarapa coast in April 2017 and swam in an exclusion zone near the ship.
The organisation issued a press release on Friday to say that Norman and Sara Howell 'will plead guilty and seek a discharge without conviction on the basis that their conduct was justified and necessary to bring about required change to government policy'.
When Norman and Howell plead guilty next week, it is understood that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will withdraw charges against Greenpeace.
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The third man, Gavin Mulvay, accepted the offer of diversion when the matter was called in Napier District Court in October.
Norman and Howell did not accept the offer of diversion. They pleaded not guilty to the charges and Norman said he would be using a greater good defence to fight the charges, bringing in climate change experts, and would argue it was critical people stand up to prevent climate change.
Greenpeace's press release said Norman and Howell 'have always admitted their conduct but say they should not face conviction'.
When the matter is called in Napier District Court on Monday the pair will plead guilty and seek a discharge without conviction on the basis that their conduct was justified and necessary to bring about required change to government policy.
'We have never denied the facts, that we defied the ban on protest at sea. We see the best course of action now is to plead guilty while making a plea in mitigation in court on the grounds that our actions were reasonable and honourable given the threat of climate change. We remain hopeful that the court will agree, given the importance of this issue,' Norman said.
Howell said she was 'proud and humbled that I had the opportunity to contribute to an incredible, people-powered movement that's resulted in an end to new offshore oil and gas exploration permits'.
'While I will take responsibility for what I did in the court, I believe it was necessary because all of the life on this planet - in its oceans, mountains, rivers, forests, and cities - is marvellous and brilliant. It is delicately balanced and too special to destroy,' she said.