In a dramatic demonstration, climate change activists have doused themselves in red paint outside electorate officers across the country this morning in a bid to get Government ministers to listen to their demands.
The group, called Restore Passenger Rail, is calling for more inter-regional passenger rail and has been at the centre of elaborate protest displays over the past few months.
Newshub footage from outside Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson's office in Wellington on Thursday shows protesters in shirts stating "delay=death" and wearing eye covers as three protesters are sprayed with red paint to symbolise blood.
The group said the Government has "blood on their hands" for not doing enough to stop climate change.
Similar protest action also occurred in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin.
A protester outside Labour Minister Megan Woods' office in Christchurch told a Newshub reporter at the scene they believe the Government isn't doing enough to stop the climate emergency.
In a statement, Restore Passenger Rail said the action follows a December 6 meeting with Transport Minister Michael Wood, who they claim said restoring passenger rail is "not even in his top ten priorities".
"Government Ministers have the power to future-proof our transport system at this time of climate and ecological emergency by restoring passenger rail, yet they choose delay," spokesperson James Cockle said.
"Delay on climate action equals death. Millions around the world are already dying from drought, famine and floods because of climate breakdown. While governments neglect their duty of care to their citizens they have blood on their hands.
"Every day of delay worsens both the climate and cost of living crises. It doesn't have to be this way.
"This Christmas we would rather see real action and celebrate a government decision to restore nationwide affordable and accessible passenger rail."
The group has also planned to support action taken by Extinction Rebellion in Whakatū who are holding a silent vigil at their local Labour party office.
In October, Restore Passenger Rail members disrupted Wellington traffic by blocking major routes across the city with banners supporting their movement. They called for Government to commit to restoring passenger rail to the extent it was in 2000.
At the time, Transport Minister Michael Wood said the group's actions were "unacceptable" and "undermining their cause".
"It's up to the police to determine whether it's criminal, but I'll clearly call it idiotic, extremely dangerous and totally counterproductive," he said.
He said the Government is "really interested" in the potential for more passenger rail in New Zealand, but "this sort of activity will not build support for it, it'll do exactly the opposite".
