More cities sign on for Earth Hour

An extra 36 New Zealand cities, towns and regional bodies will join Earth Hour next month as the push to switch off gathers momentum.

Last year Christchurch was the sole New Zealand city to join the WWF initiative.

“We are really pleased to add Kapiti, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Wanaka, Nelson and Tasman to a comprehensive list of New Zealand cities, regions and towns that are now committed to taking part in Earth Hour 2009,” WWF New Zealand chief executive Chris Howe said.

New Zealand’s Earth Hour Project Director, Dairne Poole, felt the simplicity of the resonated with Kiwis.

“We are thrilled to have an array of high profile figures behind us, and with such support, are confident this year’s event will be a massive success. The response across the country has been nothing short of astonishing.

“We urge every New Zealander to sign up to the website, join the Earth Hour community, and turn off your lights and unnecessary appliances on 28 March at 8.30pm.”

The lights out initiative, which began in Sydney in 2007 as a one-city environmental statement, has evolved to include almost 500 cities across 74 countries, including London, Paris, Rio De Janiero, Athens and New York.

Howe will announce at the Earth Hour launch in Auckland tonight that fashioner designer Karen Walker will lead a “high-profile” line-up of personalities, sportspeople and business representatives.”

Those on that ‘high profile’ list include actor Robyn Malcom, TV3 presenters Samantha Hayes and Mike Hall, businesswomen Malcolm Rands and Rachel Brown, writer Emily Perkins, rower Rob Hamill and surfers Miles and Indie Ratima.