Environmental group Greenpeace owns three sea-faring vessels but it is the Rainbow Warrior II that draws New Zealanders like a magnet to her decks when the regal boat sails into Kiwi harbours.
Greenpeace and New Zealand’s history began in the early seventies, the young days of the organisation and the relationship goes beyond financial backing, but what makes the relationship so special?
The Bond of Greenpeace, New Zealand and the Rainbow Warrior
Greenpeace’s Campaign Manager Carmen Gravatt says sailing into New Zealand shores is always a popular event.
“New Zealand has an affinity with the environment, we are generally an outdoor people with a really strong connection to the sea just like Greenpeace and likewise New Zealand has a special place within Greenpeace so it makes for a really nice relationship,” says Carmen.
“Most people have an empathy with the environment, a belief that things should be going better and the Rainbow Warrior is a great way to get people on board to talk to them about environmental issues like climate change, what they can do to in their private lives and also what they should expect from politicians.”
The Captain of the Warrior, Welshman turned Kiwi, Derek Nicholls agrees.
“I doubt there is a household in New Zealand where you could say ‘Greenpeace’ and people wouldn’t know what you’re talking about. In Amsterdam a million people would not know Greenpeace. There are places we go that people haven’t a clue who we are and what we stand for.”
Hard to believe, though New Zealand’s connection with Greenpeace has a distinct quality. The bombing of the first Warrior in Auckland harbour in July 1985 showed that the group’s actions had been perceived enough of a threat for France to plot an extreme terrorist attack. The assault raised the organisation’s international profile and strengthened New Zealand’s bond with Greenpeace and was perhaps partly responsible for the common misconception that the famous vessel was a product of New Zealand.
History and Life of Rainbow Warrior II
Both of the Rainbow Warrior’s roots however, lie in Scotland. They originally were stock-standard trawlers, used for fishing in the Aberdeen waters in the late 1950’s.
Ironically, the second Warrior was involved in two environmental disasters before joining the Greenpeace crew. In the early sixties she was part of the fleet that over-fished herring, bringing the fishing industry to a collapse. The Warrior then served as a support vessel in the North Sea oil fields, where she witnessed a massive oil rig explosion which polluted the surrounding environment. Greenpeace rescued her from an early retirement; she was modified and re-launched in 1989.
The Rainbow Warrior II now stands tall with her outfitted three masts, proudly displaying the Greenpeace flag and the famous white dove on her port side. She is impressive to stand on, is awe inspiring and invokes pride.
Her home is in Amsterdam but she is a worldly boat. Her universal appeal is reflected in the variety of her crew and currently she holds sailors from Spain, Brazil, United Kingdom, Russia, Finland, Netherlands, Argentina and of course New Zealand with the Captain being one of two Kiwis on board.
While there is a stable crew of fifteen, the vessel can house a maximum of thirty, made up of campaigners, journalists, biologists, photographers, marine biologists and activists of various descriptions.
Depending on the campaign, the Warrior spends up to six weeks at sea with no land in sight. A large chunk of this time is used solely to track targeted vessels, a search Carmen describes as ‘like looking for an informed needle in a haystack!’
Greenpeace’s strict global policy regarding financial backing means the organisation is funded purely by the millions of members worldwide. The refusal to accept money from governments or the corporate sector gives the organisation transparency from any incriminations of undue influence or conflict of interest.
“Our money comes from individuals giving $20 or so a month, it’s an amazing privilege to work this way because we are free to choose the campaigns that are best for the environment. When you are out in the middle of the ocean on a campaign, feels like you have a whole lot of people behind you, not only supporting you financially but with the inspiring messages they send. It feels very special and a real privilege,” states Carmen.
Source
Greenpeace’s Campaign Manager, Carmen Gravatt.
Captain of the Rainbow Warrior II, Derek Nicholls.
Julia Wade - Julia lives in the North Island of New Zealand. She is a Freelance Journalist, writing when she can while taking care of and spending time ...
