Hundreds of students, some as young as 10, are marching to Parliament today as part of the school strike for climate. Protests are also being held in Auckland and Christchurch.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has fired back at David Seymour’s criticism of students protesting against the climate crisis during school time today.
Associate Education Minister Seymour said it was “unacceptable” for students to protest during school hours and they should be marked absent by schools.
His comments were “a little bit embarrassing”, Swarbrick said in a video posted to her Instagram showing her being interviewed among young protesters this afternoon.
“The world doesn’t stop where the classroom door stops, and as you can see here in the energy from our young people, they want a healthy planet.”
Swarbrick appeared to be speaking from outside an Auckland school, as her social media post also included a thank you to local school students.
“Chur Richmond Rd School tamariki for inviting me to your real world classroom.”
Hundreds of students, some as young as 10, are marching to Parliament today as part of the School Strike 4 Climate campaign. Protests are also being held in other towns and cities, including Auckland and Christchurch.
But Seymour said students shouldn’t be protesting during school time.
“If students feel strongly about sending a message, they could have marched on Tuesday when there was a nationwide teacher-only day, or during the upcoming school holidays.
“My expectation is that schools will treat students protesting today as explained but unjustified absences.”
Image 1 of 5: Hundreds of students march to Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
School Strike 4 Climate Pōneke member Frankie Huthnance said students were taking to the streets to highlight the lack of action by the National-led Government to tackle climate change,
“The Government is all talk and no action. The Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, keeps saying he is committed to meeting our climate change targets such as net zero carbon by 2050, but he has no plan on how he is going to do it.
“We are facing a climate crisis right now.”
Hundreds of students calling for climate action by the Government march to Parliament today. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“This is part of the reason School Strike is also demanding an increase in climate education, not just inside schools, but for all.
“Without this education, rangatahi are left unaware of the severity of the continued environmental destruction and what they can do to combat this climate crisis to build a more sustainable Aotearoa.”
School Strike 4 Climate participants gathering in Wellington's Civic Square before a lunchtime march to Parliament. Photo / Ethan Manera
Traffic disruption
Auckland Transport (AT) said the protest would probably cause disruption in Auckland’s city centre.
The march will take place today between Parnell and Albert Park.
Delays in traffic and public transport services in the city centre should be expected from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
“It will be a rolling closure, with closures uplifted behind the march as it progresses,” an AT spokesperson said.
