Protesters Are Chasing Down an Oil Exploration Ship in an Ocean-Going Waka
Protesters have set out to sea on a double-hulled waka to tell the world's largest seismic survey vessel to scram. The Amazon Warrior is currently seismic blasting along New Zealand's east coast, looking for oil on behalf of energy giants Chevron and Statoil. Te Matau a Māui departed Napier on Saturday and were due to intersect the ship this morning. A spokesperson for the crew told RNZ the waka was there in peaceful resistance and would not breach the restricted zone around the ship, but it was there to deliver a very clear message."Te Matau a Māui is taking a stand, as representing the people of Te Ikaroa Rawhiti, to face-to-face tell the Amazon Warrior that they need to leave our waters."Thieves Make Off With Valuable Lindauer Paintings in Old-Fashioned Ram Raid
Two of New Zealand's more famous artworks have been stolen in a ram-raid art heist this weekend. The two paintings, entitled Chieftainess Ngatai-Raure and Chief Ngatai-Raure, are by Gottfried Lindauer and date back to 1884.Police told Morning Report they believed there were three people involved in the robbery.There's been much speculation about the motivation of the thieves, given New Zealand's small market makes blackmarket sales difficult, and there's not a strong market for Lindauer paintings overseas. The owner of the International Art Centre in Parnell told RNZ it was "heartbreaking" to see the gallery so damaged. "What I was hoping is that these paintings have been stolen by perhaps an iwi member who was upset that their ancestors were being sold for a lot of money."Unfortunately, I think it's probably worse than that. I think it's just an opportunistic thief who will have damaged the paintings quite considerably to get them out of that window," he said.Baby Elephant Gift to John Key on Hold
The journey of a toddler elephant gifted to ex-Prime Minister John Key has been halted by animal rights activists. Nandi, a 6-year-old, was gifted to Key by the Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena as a gesture of goodwill. She was destined for Auckland Zoo. But RNZ is reporting that a Sri Lankan court has put the transfer on hold, after animal activists said it would be cruel to separate the baby elephant from its family. There should be a decision later in the month.Would-Be Skinny Dipper Falls Off Cliff, Found Alive in a Bush
An intoxicated woman seeking to freshen up with a post-wedding nude swim has narrowly avoided death in Queenstown. Emergency services told the New Zealand Herald the would-be skinny dipper is "lucky to be alive" after she fell around 20 metres off a sheer cliff. The woman, wearing a formal dress, was noticed missing from the wedding venue at around 10.15 PM. After a three-hour search, she was found "lying in prickly bushes in steep terrain". The venue's owner told the Herald that the woman had ''had too much to drink''.''[In the] 42 years I've been here, nobody's ever done anything as stupid as that.'' The woman was taken to hospital with a suspected broken pelvis.Greens Bump Millennial Candidates Up the Party List
The Green Party have released their draft list for September's general election, highlighting their dedication to ignite stronger interest in politics for young people nationally. Kapiti Coast based candidate Jack McDonald, 23, and former Auckland mayoral candidate Chlöe Swarbrick, 22, have both been given placings that would see them elected to parliament in September, based on current polling.McDonald who placed ninth overall says the Green Party's draft listing shows the Greens are "fundamentally committed to youth representation". "But I would also say, in both Chlöe's case and my case, we bring a lot more than our youth."In at number 15 is refugee and human rights lawyer from Iran, Golriz Ghahraman who hopes to be the first ever refugee to enter Parliament. The Green's list is yet to be voted on by party members.Top image: On board Te Matau a Māui. Image via Raihania Tipoki Facebook