25 Day Cycle Tour Arrives in Auckland

Eleven keen cyclists from across the country arrived in Auckland City Centre this afternoon, amidst one of the biggest storms we have seen all season.

The group of young people have cycled the length of New Zealand to attend an event on climate change.

The event is called Power Shift NZ-Pacific 2012, and will be attended by more than 700 young people, making it the biggest youth climate summit that has ever happened in New Zealand. The participants come from all reaches of the country, as well as about 40 participants from the Pacific Islands.

The eleven cyclists were greeted by 40 or more volunteers that have been working all year to ensure Power Shift NZ-Pacific 2012 is a success.

“Despite the rain, it was so exciting to welcome the cyclists to Power Shift”, says one of the organisors, Brittany Packer.

“On their journey, they have represented the desire of young New Zealanders for low carbon transport solutions in our country. Power Shift will go beyond that, it will show that the opportunities to move beyond fossil fuels are 100% possible."

Five of those heading to Power Shift left Dunedin on their bikes on the 16th November to begin a 1300 kilometre unsupported cycle ride to Auckland. The group’s ranks doubled as they passed through Wellington, and the numbers continued to swell as they traveled up the North Island.

Otago University student Lindsey Horne says her decision to bike to Power Shift was fueled by a desire to reduce individual carbon emissions in a fun and visible way.

“Cycling is an action that we can take today to address what is essentially the defining issue of our generation. It would be irresponsible to ignore the abundance of opportunities to move beyond fossil fuels."

"Having cycled for 25 days through New Zealand’s beautiful landscape we can see how much there is to lose if climate change isn’t addressed.”

Power Shift NZ-Pacific 2012 is a three day summit where young New Zealanders will come together to address solutions to climate change.

Power Shift is being driven by a grassroots network of youth organisers who have built a climate movement across every region of New Zealand, and every Pacific Island nation. It is a collaboration project between 350.org, a global movement for action on climate change, Generation Zero, a organisation of young New Zealanders calling for better climate policies, and other individuals.

ENDS

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