New Rainbow Warrior to visit Northland

The brand-new successor to the Rainbow Warrior will make its first visit to New Zealand early next year - and its first stop will be in Northland.

The original Rainbow Warrior, a converted trawler, was bombed by French agents in Auckland in 1985 as it was about to lead a protest mission to Moruroa, killing crewman Fernando Pereira. The Greenpeace flagship was laid to rest in a watery grave 25 years ago next month at the Cavalli Islands, off Matauri Bay.

Its replacement was retired last year when the organisation's first purpose-built ship was launched, a 58-metre steel-hulled sailing ship also called Rainbow Warrior. It was built in Poland and paid for by donations.

Greenpeace New Zealand executive director Bunny McDiarmid, who was in Northland last weekend to help upgrade the track to the Rainbow Warrior monument at Matauri Bay, told the Advocate the new ship was due in New Zealand early in the new year.

It would clear customs in Whangarei but its first public visit would be to Matauri Bay in memory of the original Rainbow Warrior.

Ms McDiarmid said the organisation was excited about its innovative, purpose-built ship.

"It will do the same things we've always done, but in a clean, environmentally sound, brand spanking new way."

Its would head to Matauri Bay first because it was a place of great significance in the organisation's history.

"The ship will pay its respects to Ngati Kura, who are the guardians of this land and of our old girl. It's also about passing the baton on from one Warrior to the next," she said.

The timing of the new ship's visit was significant because it came as New Zealand was opening its seas up to oil exploration, including off the Northland coast. The country had little to gain from deep-sea oil drilling but risked a great deal, including its marine resources, way of life and clean, green reputation.

"It puts at risk the things New Zealanders really value," she said.

The visit would take place in early January but the date had yet to be finalised. The ship would then dock in Auckland, Oban, Bluff, Dunedin and Wellington for free public tours. It will also visit East Coast iwi Te Whanau a Apanui and help kick off a national oil-free seas festival at Te Kaha.

Last weekend, 120 volunteers upgraded the track up to the Rainbow Warrior monument, a sculpture by Kerikeri's Chris Booth.