Solid Energy caught spying again
20th April 2008
State-owned coal mining company Solid Energy's continued use of spies is a symptom of the lack of public scrutiny and accountability in security industries, says Save Happy Valley Coalition spokesperson Alan Liefting.
SHVC challenges Labour on poor environmental record
12th April 2008
Members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition will be joining various other groups' protests outside the Labour party's election year congress today, dubbed 'Crash the Labour Party's Party'.
Save Happy Valley Coalition Saddened by Snail Deaths
24th February 2008
The news that the critically endangered snail, Powelliphanta augustus, has suffered death rates of up to 30% in their first year since release has dismayed the Save Happy Valley Coalition.
Suppression lifted on spy case
24th February 2008
Previously suppressed proceedings against Thompson and Clark Investigations Ltd have today been made public. Three activist organisations had complained to the Registrar of Private Investigators and Security Guards.
Rising tides and rising emissions: time to end coal mining!
7th December 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is taking the opportunity of this Saturday's International Day of Action on Climate Change to call for an end of coal mining in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Save Happy Valley demands reduction in coal production
20th September 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is calling for immediate steps to decrease coal exports, in light of the Government's failure to adequately address coal in yesterday's climate change policy announcements.
Activists blockaded train tracks due to imminent environmental threat
13th September 2007
Three Save Happy Valley activists will appear in the Christchurch District Court on Friday morning at 10am to face trial for blockading a coal train on Sunday 29th April.
Environmentalists horrified by proposed coal to diesel plant
15th August 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition has expressed its horror at Solid Energy's proposal of a coal to diesel plant in Southland.
Public forum: A future without coal? Christchurch, Tuesday 14th August
14th August 2007
Save Happy Valley Christchurch, in conjunction with Coal Action Network, are hosting a public forum tonight featuring Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons, renowned Antarctic and climate change scientist Professor Peter Barrett and a speaker on the local impacts of coal mining. The forum will be held in the William Sutton Room, Arts Centre, Christchurch, and starts at 7pm.
Freedom of Speech preserved: Save Happy Valley Coalition free to publish with own logo
26th July 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is about to re-launch the Environment Report on their website with a slightly altered front page, following the interim court proceedings brought by Solid Energy against Frances Mountier, over the publication of the 2006 mock Environment Report.
Interim hearing on publication of mock Solid Energy Environment Report
24th July 2007
A member of the Save Happy Valley Coalition will be arguing the right to use parody as a means of criticising corporate behaviour in court on Wednesday. The activist is being sued by state-owned coal miner Solid Energy for publishing a mock report on the company's environmental performance.
Save Happy Valley "End of the Line for Coal" Activists in Court
9th July 2007
Three Save Happy Valley activists will appear in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday morning at 10am, in relation to the blockade of a coal train on Sunday 29th April. Members and supporters of the anti-coal mining group will hold a vigil in their support from 9:45am.
Solid Energy board
7th July 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is appalled at the irresponsible arrogance shown by the board of Solid Energy, who have publicly expressed their faith in CEO Don Elder despite revelations of extensive use of a spy by the company against activists opposed to their environmentally destructive practices.
Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
2nd July 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is expressing its solidarity with over 800 miners currently engaged in industrial action after negotiations for their MECA (multi-employer contract agreement) have thus far failed to achieve their demands of a 5 - 5.5% pay rise.
Activist groups lay complaint about spies
26th June 2007
Three groups laid a complaint today with the Private Investigators Registrar, asking that the matter of the spies employed by private investigators Thompson and Clark be referred to the Police for a criminal investigation.
Carbon Credits against Coal Mining
12th June 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition will launch new carbon credits into the market today, after Solid Energy blamed the group for a reduction in coal production from its opencast Stockton Mine.
Latest Revelations in SOE Spy Scandal Deeply Disturbing
3rd June 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is deeply disturbed by the latest revelations in the SOE spy scandal. In today's Sunday Star Times, Andrew Gibson, owner of Gibson Security, is quoted as saying his firm stopped providing their services to Solid Energy in late 2006 over concerns about the unethical behaviour being engaged in, including the placing of a spy in the Christchurch Save Happy Valley group.
Spied on group demands resignation at tear filled meeting
30th May 2007
The Christchurch Save Happy Valley group met Tuesday night with Ryan, the infiltrator hired by Thompson & Clark Investigations to gather information for state owned enterprise Solid Energy. The Save Happy Valley Coalition is today reiterating its demand for the resignation of CEO Don Elder for engaging in devious, underhanded and illegal practices.
Solid Energy neither legal, moral or ethical
28th May 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is rubbishing the claim of Solid Energy CEO Don Elder that his company only acts in "legal, moral and ethical" ways after a spy was found to have infiltrated the Christchurch Save Happy Valley group, employed by private investigation firm Thompson & Clark who were in turn hired by Solid Energy.
"Don Elder must resign - spying unacceptable"
27th May 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is calling for the immediate resignation of CEO Don Elder following a Sunday Star Times expose of Solid Energy's use of an infiltrator into the Christchurch Save Happy Valley group.
Coal Miner lies about snail status
24th May 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition has laid a complaint with the Commerce Commission about deceptive and misleading conduct under section 9 of the Fair Trading Act after government-owned company Solid Energy claimed that the conservation status of the carnivorous Powelliphanta "Augustus" snails had been downgraded.
Coal miner's environment report laughable
10th May 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition has slammed the publication of an Environment Report by Solid Energy. The Coalition released its own report on Solid Energy in February this year.
Coal blockaders in court
3rd May 2007
Three Save Happy Valley Christchurch activists appeared this morning (Thursday May 3rd) in the Christchurch District Court and to plead not guilty to "interferes with a rail line" (Simon Riddell and Gregory Curline) and "communicating with a prisoner" (Anna-Claire Hunter, for passing a bottle of water to Riddell and Curline) in relation to a blockade of a coal train on Sunday April 29th.
End of the line for coal – three activists in court
2nd May 2007
Three members of Save Happy Valley Christchurch will appear in the Christchurch District Court at 10am on Thursday May 3rd over charges stemming from the blockade of a coal train in Templeton on Sunday April 29th in protest against state-owned miner Solid Energy's planned open-cast coal mine in Happy Valley on the West Coast.
Coal miner pursues gagging order
2nd May 2007
Solid Energy is continuing with a defamation lawsuit against members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition, despite being told off by the National Party's Gerry Brownlee for "wasting taxpayers' money."
State fails biodiversity: High Court decision on snails
30th April 2007
Powelliphanta Augustus Incorporated is highlighting the inadequacy of New Zealand's law after the High Court today found against their appeal.
End of the line for coal: Protestors blockade coal trains
29th April 2007
Save Happy Valley members have locked onto the train tracks near Christchurch to call for an end to new coal mines in New Zealand. Other members have hung a twenty-two metre banner – 'Solid Energy: Govt Sponsored Climate Chaos – along two of the coal wagons.
Coal Company Pays For Environmental Destruction
26th April 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is calling for Solid Energy to cut its losses and stop its destruction of the last remaining habitat the critically-endangered native land snail Powelliphanta augustus. The state-owned coal miner has spent millions to move the snails, but all the available science indicates this won't help.
Solid Energy Stake-Out Illegal
4th April 2007
Save Happy Valley activists tramping up Mt Augustus yesterday were appalled to find Solid Energy security guards preventing access to public conservation land. The two security guards continued to break the law by escorting the two activists back down the mountain.
Snails head to the High Court
6th March 2007
Powelliphanta Augustus Incorporated's appeal to the High Court regarding the habitat of Powelliphanta "Augustus" will be heard today in the Christchurch High Court.
Solid Energy files injunction against Save Happy Valley Coalition
1st March 2007
Save Happy Valley Coalition says bring it on! The Save Happy Valley Coalition is refusing to remove a satirical document from their website after Solid Energy filed an injunction application for defamation. The State-owned coal company filed the injunction at the High Court in Christchurch against the climate justice group yesterday afternoon after the group posted the satirical Solid Energy Environmental Report.
Save Happy Valley Wellington activists target Conservation Minister Chris Carter
26th February 2007
Dressed as kiwi, kakariki & geckos, activists from Save Happy Valley Coalition (SHVC) Wellington targeted Conservation Minister Chris Carter as he visited the Department of Conservation (DoC)’s new offices on Manners Street this afternoon.
Solid Energy Continues to Endanger Lives
21st February 2007
At around 6pm this evening, Save Happy Valley Coalition members were shocked to once again hear an explosion from the ridge line just above them, within 500m of their position.
Solid Energy endangers lives on mountaintop
19th February 2007
State-owned coal miner Solid Energy has blasted on the Mt Augustus mountain top near Westport, despite protestors maintaining their camp in the area.
Protesters cling to steep mountain; evade security
16th February 2007
Save Happy Valley Coalition activists have today remained hidden in the thick alpine forest of Mt Augustus near Westport, using their presence to block blasting on the ridgeline of the Stockton opencast coal mine.
Save Happy Valley Coalition committed to saving species, despite DOC bending to mining company’s pressure
12th February 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition are determined to maintain their occupation at Mt Augustus despite the Department of Conservation closing the land to help Solid Energy drive Powelliphanta “Augustus” to extinction.
Occupation of Mt Augustus
5th February 2007
Save Happy Valley Coalition members are currently occupying Mt Augustus, halting the mining that is destroying the last remaining habitat of Powelliphanta Augustus. The campaigners are camped inside Solid Energy's blasting exclusion zone, on public Conservation land.
Occupation celebrates first birthday, Happy Valley still safe
23rd January 2007
The Save Happy Valley Coalition will celebrate the first birthday of its occupation of the proposed Cypress open-cast coal mine site on January 28th, 2007.
Solid Energy tries to deflect attention from court decision
19th December 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition says Solid Energy's claim that a single predated snail disproves careful work by Department of Conservation experts is spurious and unscientific.
Solid Energy seeks to silence opposition
16th December 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition Incorporated will vigorously defend Solid Energy's threat to seek costs of many hundreds of thousands of dollars in the Environment Court.
Court finds Solid Energy noxious, but snails fall through legal loophole
15th December 2006
The Environment Court today ruled that mining the habitat of critically-endangered land snail Powelliphanta "Augustus" is "an action which is noxious, dangerous, offensive or objectionable [51]" and that there is a high risk to the snail's survival in destroying its only known habitat.
Environmentalists slam government hypocrisy
31st October 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition has slammed the Government for not only failing to take action on climate change but misleading the public with claims of 'clean coal.'
Environmentalists apply for immediate protection of habitat
13th October 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition Incorporated today applied for interim enforcement orders which, if granted, will immediately protect the habitat of critically-endangered land snail Powelliphanta "Augustus" from government-owned coal company Solid Energy.
Hidden Camera Found At Protest Site
10th October 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition has discovered several thousand dollars worth of spying equipment on public land, camouflaged near the start of the track into their occupation.
State-owned enterprise killing kiwi
24th September 2006
Despite findings that kiwi could be extinct on the mainland within twenty years, state-owned coal miner Solid Energy continues to hunt, kill and possess kiwi in one of their natural strongholds, the Stockton plateau.
Snaily vows to continue to fight for species protection
16th September 2006
Snaily has been forcibly removed from the West Coast Conservancy office in Hokitika. Graham Jury, 22, an ecology student, was chained in a 1.5m snail suit to the Department of Conservation offices.
Giant snail chains itself to DOC doors
14th September 2006
A giant Powelliphanta "Augustus" snail, with a Save Happy Valley Coalition member inside, locked itself to the Department of Conservation West Coast conservancy office in Sewell St, Hokitika, at 10.20am this morning, blocking the entrance.
Snails lose in High Court
9th September 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition Inc says its loss in the High Court on Friday is a blow for conservation, but that the battle to save a critically-endangered snail is by no means over.
Snail death belittles transfer plan
8th September 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is appalled by the first death of a captive Powelliphanta "Augustus" snail – living in a fridge because of state-owned coal company Solid Energy's mining operations.
Coal to send Christchurch under waves
3rd September 2006
Save Happy Valley are holding a beach party outside state-owned coal miner Solid Energy's headquarters, to highlight the new coastline that coal companies may commit the world to by the end of the century.
Happy Valley Activists to Appear in Court
25th August 2006
Three Save Happy Valley activists will appear in the Christchurch District Court at 10am this morning to defend their choice to take action to save a pristine ecosystem from destruction.
Elder's Greenwash Not Sustainable
23rd August 2006
Members of Save Happy Valley Christchurch called Solid Energy CEO Don Elder to account last night at the annual Hopkins lecture where he had the arrogance to speak on "The Economy and Energy: are both sustainable?"
Climate Polluter's Bogus Sustainability
21st August 2006
In using a Chief Executive from one of the most polluting and unsustainable industries to present the annual Hopkins Lecture, the University of Canterbury and IPENZ, the professional engineers' body, are being socially irresponsible, says Save Happy Valley Christchurch.
Coal miner breaches permit in rush to extinction
15th August 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is horrified that Solid Energy is rushing the critically endangered native land snail Powelliphanta "Augustus" out of its wild habitat and into the fridge in Hokitika – with the blessing of the Department of Conservation and in breach of its Wildlife Permit.
Environmental Groups Takes NZ Coal Company to Court
14th July 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition (SHVC) Incorporated is filing proceedings for two court cases, a case in the Environment Court (today) and a judicial review (Monday 17th July), aimed at stopping the Government-sponsored extinction of a species of native land snail.
Snails Go Back to Court
30th June 2006
Save Happy Valley Coalition Incorporated announced today that it will go to the Environment Court to save the last remaining 5 hectares of habitat of the critically endangered giant land snail Powelliphanta "Augustus" from Solid Energy's Stockton mine.
Land Occupation Reaches 6 Months: Happy Valley Declared an Autonomous Zone
28th June 2006
The occupation of Happy Valley, on the West Coast, turns six months today. The Save Happy Valley Coalition, which has been blocking Solid Energy's attempts to turn the Valley into an open-cast coal mine, has commemorated the anniversary by declaring the entire Waimangaroa Valley an 'Autonomous zone.'
Save Happy Valley Coalition supports Commissioners call
25th June 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition supports the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's call for no more coal or gas-powered electricity stations in New Zealand.
High school students say NO to species extinction
6th June 2006
High school students in Christchurch are marching to demand the protection of an endangered snail species, presently facing extinction if state owned coal company Solid Energy goes ahead with mining its habitat in the coming weeks.
Environment Court Decision
26th May 2006
The Environment Court has granted permission to state-owned coal company Solid Energy to go ahead with its proposed opencast coal mine at Happy Valley, near Westport.
Biodiversity Day actions to save Powelliphanta snails from extinction
22nd May 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition will today take action across the country to mark International Day for Biodiversity, and launch a petition to demand that Powelliphanta "augustus," an endangered snail species, be protected from extinction.
Solid Energy Misleading Public
13th April 2006
Solid Energy is continuing to mislead the public and the Government, simply to make a few extra dollars of profit at the expense of the extinction of one of New Zealand's ancient taonga, the native land snail Powelliphanta augustus.
Carter signs off on species extinction
12th April 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is appalled at Chris Carter’s decision to allow Solid Energy to move almost the entire population of Powelliphanta “Augustus” snails from their home on Mt Augustus.
Green Supporters of Save Happy Valley Join Occupation
14th March 2006
Twenty-two members of the Green Party, of various ages, walked into Happy Valley for the weekend to show their support to members of the indefinite occupation.
Kiwi population under threat of decline
8th March 2006
Members and supporters of the Save Happy Valley Coalition last night filled in their census forms at the site of Solid Energy's planned coal mine, 25km north-east of Westport on the West Coast.
Save Happy Valley to Confront Don Elder
1st March 2006
At 11:40am on the 1st of March, Save Happy Valley Auckland will give CEO of Solid Energy Don Elder, a surprise “welcome” at the National Power Conference held at the Hyatt, where Don Elder will be delivering a speech about “The Future of Coal”.
Call on Conservation Minister to protect species and save Happy Valley
28th February 2006
Save Happy Valley is calling on the Minister of Conservation not to succumb to any further misleading claims from Solid Energy regarding lost revenue and jobs.
Environmentalists Call on Conservation Minister to Protect Snail
24th February 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition has strengthened its call to the Minister of Conservation to save an endangered carnivorous land snail from extinction. A live snail was recently found during mining operations on a part of the Mt Augustus ridgeline where state owned coal miner Solid Energy was not aware they existed.
Save Happy Valley Members In Court
21st February 2006
Four members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition appear in the Christchurch District Court this Wednesday. Two face sentencing at 9.15am for their train blockade action against Solid Energy's proposed Cypress Mine.
Rooftop Demonstration at Solid Energy Headquarters
15th February 2006
Three Save Happy Valley Coalition members have been hanging from the roof of Solid Energy's headquarters in Christchurch since 9am today. They are hanging from the 15 metre front facade of the Christchurch offices holding banners.
Save Happy Valley Members Arrested for Rooftop Demo at Solid Energy
15th February 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition members who were protesting on Solid Energy's rooftop this morning have been removed and arrested by about twelve members of the Team Policing Unit.
Solid Energy Deliberately Misleading or Dishonest About Reparation Claims
13th February 2006
In a press release dated Friday 10th (Media Release 10/02/06 "Happy Valley Activists make false claim"), Solid Energy stated that they had not applied for reparations of US$150 000.
Kiwi Spotted In Midland Park
10th February 2006
Over 100 inflatable kiwi were released in Midland Park at 12noon on Friday, February 10th by members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition (Wellington). The kiwi were then dragged away and moved by "Solid Energy miners".
Save Happy Valley members in court
9th February 2006
Three members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition have returned from the indefinite occupation of the planned Cypress mine site on the West Coast in order to defend themselves on charges relating to the coal train blockade in August 2005.
Solid Energy to seek costs of US$150 000 from Happy Valley Activists
9th February 2006
State Owned Enterprise Solid Energy plans to claim reparations of US$150 000 from three Save Happy Valley activists facing charges in the Christchurch District Court tomorrow at 10.00am.
Solid Energys green audit is a sham and a PR stunt
7th February 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition have questioned whether Solid Energy's environmental audit has any validity, after the company claimed that it almost had a net positive impact on the environment in the 2004-05 year.
Happy Valley Occupation Day Seven: Save the Wetlands
4th February 2006
The occupation of Happy Valley to protect it from Solid Energy's proposed opencast coal mine has today been going for one week. On Thursday, the Save Happy Valley Coalition celebrated World Wetland Day in the valley.
Indefinite Occupation of Happy Valley begins
29th January 2006
Over 75 people began the indefinite occupation of Happy Valley on Saturday 28th January. Happy Valley, 25km northeast of Westport, is the site of SOE Solid Energy's planned opencast coal mine.
Occupation of Happy Valley
25th January 2006
From Saturday 28th January Save Happy Valley Coalition members and supporters will be indefinitely occupying the site of Solid Energy's planned opencast coal mine in Happy Valley near Westport on the West Coast.
Escalation of Protest Action Promised After Happy Valley Court Ruling
22nd December 2005
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is planning an escalation of action to stop the Happy Valley mine in response to today's High Court ruling against a Forest and Bird appeal.
Snail Extinction Could See Top Miners in Jail
13th December 2005
The Save Happy Valley Coalition has put the board of Solid Energy New Zealand on notice that the group will consider them personally liable for the extinction of a rare carnivorous land snail.
Protesters Climb Mountain, Confront Security, in bid to Save Snail
11th December 2005
Environmentalists clambered 1000 metres up a steep untracked bush ridge near Westport this weekend, to camp and protest the imminent extinction of an absolutely-protected species of carnivorous land snail.
DOC May Ban Public From Conservation Land
27th November 2005
The general public may be banned from a section of public conservation land, and environmentalists fear they will be arrested for attempting to save a critically-endangered species from extinction.
Solid Energy Continues Campaign of Intimidation
21st November 2005
A tramping group, comprised of Save Happy Valley campaigners and interested members of the public, were startled when security guards invaded their camp site this weekend. The guards filmed the group against their expressed wishes and demanded personal details for the purposes of issuing 'pre-emptive' trespass notices.
Kiwi Threatened by Solid Energy Despite Nationwide Concern
10th October 2005
Despite a survey showing nationwide concern for kiwis disappearance from the wild, kiwis remain threatened by a proposed Solid Energy coal mine on the Westcoast.
Happy Valley Activists to Fight Solid Energy's Plan to Sue
14th August 2005
The three activists arrested yesterday for blockading Solid Energy coal trains in Christchurch are unanimous in their commitment to fight Solid Energy's plan to sue them for costs of two hundred thousand dollars.
Stopping Climate Change in its Tracks
13th August 2005
The Save Happy Valley Campaign has taken the fight against Solid Energy to a new level. In a carefully planned protest, three activists ‘locked on’ to train tracks preventing Solid Energy’s coal trains reaching Lyttelton port.
Protesters Stop Solid Energy Coal Trains
13th August 2005
At least three Solid Energy coal trains have been stopped from reaching Lyttelton Port by protesters who have locked themselves onto railway tracks.
Christchurch Group Opposes Environmental Destruction
27th May 2005
The Environment Court has today permitted Solid Energy to go ahead and develop an open cast mine in Happy Valley, West Coast.
New Coal Mine Despite Growing Climate Change Concerns
26th May 2005
Climate change is the biggest threat to the planet and its people and we need action to stop it now. Creating new coal mines is not the way to do this.
New Coal Mine to Add Fuel to Burning Planet
26th May 2005
State-owned coal company, Solid Energy, is now able to proceed with its plans to mine Happy Valley, ultimately resulting in the creation of 13 million tonnes of climate changing carbon dioxide (CO2)
Protesters Dig Coal Company's Lawn
10th December 2004
Demonstrators dug up Solid Energy's front lawn today in protest against the planned Happy Valley coal mine. Other protesters, dressed as kiwi, served Solid Energy staff relocation notices.
Hunger Strike Protesters Update
3rd November 2004
A long week is coming to an end for Fiona Gibson and Rob Cadmus. Since last Sunday night, they have been sitting 25 metres up a pine tree overlooking the West Coast, braving the winter weather, and eating nothing.
Councils Agree to Solid Energy's Destruction of Happy Valley
22nd June 2004
State-owned Solid Energy has been granted resource consents by the West Coast Regional and Buller District Councils for its proposed opencast coal mine at Happy Valley near Westport, despite strong opposition by local and national environmental groups.
Solid Opposition Expressed Over Proposed Coal Mine at Happy Valley
10th June 2004
State-owned Solid Energy's proposed opencast coal mine at Happy Valley near Westport has met solid resistance from local and national environmental groups.
An occasional newsletter produced by Pete Lusk about the general state of coal mining on the West Coast.
