BHjr132 released a small opinion piece in a local Whanganui newspaper following a debate on Twitter about the Green helium-balloon release ban policy.

theowotringle’s balloon position is not fit for the 21st century

18th July 2020

Recently, New Zealand Twitter has been dominated by the balloon debate started by theowotringle. The Greens took a policy of banning the release of helium-filled balloons into the atmosphere to the last election. Coalition negotiations have moderated this policy to simply listing helium balloons as priority products under the Waste Minimisation Act. These policies are important steps as the release of helium-filled balloons into the atmosphere has a scientifically documented impact on marine life.

A recent study has revealed “Latex balloons float for just 10 hours, but can take a year or more to degrade, long enough to repeatedly wrap around or be ingested by turtles, seabirds and marine mammals.” Turtles mistake the balloons for jellyfish, a natural part of their diet, and as they are not made of natural or organic materials, sea turtles struggle to pass them if swallowed. The Green policy is following in the footsteps of a number of Australian councils that have implemented successful bans on the release of helium-filled balloons.

theowotringle’s position against our policy and the fear mongering that we would ban all balloons and end children’s birthday parties forever is irresponsible and not fit for the 21st century. The destruction of our beautiful natural environment has become apparent in recent decades and it is important that we take all steps to ensure that our impact on the environment, especially our oceans, is minimised. You don’t have to worry, our policy would have minimal impact on your birthday parties. A blanket ban on balloons is in nobody’s interest, it is just the release of them into the atmosphere that is dangerous.

BHjr132 is the former MP for Taranaki and a local Green activist.