Petition to ban plastic bags reaches the steps of Parliament

Campaigners have taken their call for a ban on plastic bags to the steps of Parliament.

More than 65,000 New Zealanders, including high-profile supporters Helen Clark and Sam Neill, have signed a petition calling for a regulatory ban on single-use plastic bags.

The petition has been marched through the streets of Wellington to reach the Beehive.

Here's the petition to sign on banning single-use plastic bags in #NewZealand 🇳🇿. Many countries already have taken this step because of the damage those bags do to the natural environment. @JGI_NZ @GreenpeaceNZ @EugenieSage https://t.co/3cE3lwhJ2W

— Helen Clark (@HelenClarkNZ) February 26, 2018

Supporters holding banners and dressed as plastic bags and penguins have joined the hikoi, chanting "Ban the bag Jacinda".

Green Peace plastics campaigner Elena Di Palma said the effects on the environment had gone too far and it is clear a ban is what New Zealanders want.

She said it had gotten to the point where the Government needs to step in and intervene.

"They have a devastating impact on our marine life. One-in-three turtles that have washed up on New Zealand beaches have swallowed plastic bags."

The petition is being handed to Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage.