Climate activists in Dunedin and Wānaka turned out in support of a coordinated national and international protest calling for action on climate change.
Thousands of people attended climate strikes in 10 locations throughout New Zealand this afternoon, including about 200 in Dunedin.
A mix of young and old climate activists gathered in the city's Octagon to listen to music and speeches.
Extinction Rebellion member and protest co-ordinator Jen Olsen said the five demands issued by Global Climate Strike in Aotearoa focused on reducing emissions, rather than learning to live with effects of climate change.
“When we think of the terrible impact of the weather events in the North Island, it’s not as if we need to be reminded, but politicians are already talking about adaption to climate change and they are totally missing out on discussion of the causes," she said.
"We must play our part in reducing global emissions of greenhouses gases or these climate catastrophes will continue to get worse."
Today's protesters called for no new fossil fuel mining or exploration, lowering the voting age to 16, a 30% increase in New Zealand's marine reserves by 2025, rebates on ebikes for low income households, and support for farmers to transition to regenerative agriculture.
