Media release 18 February 2010

New Zealand a leading light in the global Earth Hour switch off 
 
Plans have been unveiled to plunge New Zealand into darkness at 8.30pm on Saturday 27 March – the first of more than 70 countries taking part in this year’s Earth Hour™. WWF-New Zealand last night announced that all of the major cities, including Auckland, Manukau, North Shore, Waitakere, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Hamilton, will be participating in the global ‘lights out’ event, to send a powerful message about the urgent need for action on climate change.
 
The official countdown to the event was launched at a high-profile event hosted by the Langham Hotel in Auckland. TV, radio and sports personalities joined WWF staff and Earth Hour 2010 national sponsors (TV3, More FM, Toyota, Trade Me and Powershop) to show their support for Earth Hour, which will see millions of people around the world turn off their lights and unnecessary appliances for one hour.
 
The campaign graphically demonstrates how a simple energy-saving act repeated by many can make a huge difference, and crucially has come to symbolise the massive public support for personal and international action on climate change.
 
Rod Oram, financial journalist and media commentator, spoke at the launch: “Earth Hour sends a hugely important message to the world: it shows that when enough individuals act, the compound impact is enormous. Such a demonstration of people power around the world has never been more urgent given the weakness of domestic policies here and in almost all other countries.”
 
Sixteen year old Rick Zwaan, Earth Hour ambassador who travelled to Copenhagen as a UNICEF climate kiwi, said: "Earth hour is a perfect opportunity to symbolise the interconnectedness of our world. Turning off our lights for an hour won’t solve climate change, but it will show how committed we all are to solving these serious issues. It’s now very clear that our world ‘leaders’ can’t manage to overcome there personal greed, so now we must show them how.”
 
Chris Howe, Executive Director of WWF-New Zealand, said: “Earth Hour is an important event that unites individuals and communities, encouraging them to take small, collective steps towards living more sustainably. Individually we are all small contributors, but Earth Hour illustrates how the power to change really is in our own hands.”
 
The details of many events planned around the country came to light last night. In Auckland city, the Sky Tower will be disappearing from the city’s skyline, and a free community concert with music will be hosted at Britomart Square. In Dunedin, fire dancers, African drummers and a children’s choir will celebrate as the Octagon’s lights go out for Earth Hour. In Hamilton, the city centre will run all day Earth Hour celebrations, starting with an organic farmers market and ending with live bands playing at stage in Garden Place. And in Hastings, the Hawke’s Bay Opera House will be the focal point for a series of events, with festival stalls and live entertainment including Kapa Haka, fire poi, star-gazing, music and story telling.
 
Many more community events are being planned by district and regional councils.
 
Chris Howe said: “Special thanks goes to our national sponsors -  TV3, More FM, Toyota, Trade Me and Powershop - who are helping us spread the Earth Hour message to every corner of the country. Together we can show the world that New Zealanders have “seen the light” and are prepared to do their bit to protect our natural environment for future generations.”
 
Individuals and businesses can sign up to participate in Earth Hour at www.earthhour.org.nz
 
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