Greenpeace campaigners arrested after rooftop protest

Three Greenpeace campaigners were arrested today after a nine-day occupation on the roof of the Marsden B Power Station in Whangarei.

Greenpeace spokesman Steve Abel said the three had been charged with trespass and being unlawfully on a building.

The campaigners were protesting a move to open the plant -- built in the late 1970s but never used -- and convert it to operate on coal.

Mr Abel said there was no trouble as the campaigners were arrested this morning.

"There was never any issue of them resisting arrest. They knew the consequences of the protest action they have taken."

Police were notified that they were coming down, he said.

Mr Abel said the campaigners felt "incredibly privileged" to support the community in opposing the opening of Marsden B.

- NZPA