Solomon Islanders to Launch Ecotimber at Ecotimber at Exhibition

["Greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

SOLOMON ISLANDERS TO LAUNCH ECOTIMBER AT THE LOGGING FIELDS
PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION TOMORROW
 
Auckland, 16th February 1997 -- Two Solomon Islanders have
come to New Zealand to launch ecotimber on to the Kiwi market,
as an alternative to destructively logged tropical rainforest
timbers. The first shipment recently arrived in New Zealand and
will be showcased at The Logging Fields Exhibition at the Aotea
Centre tomorrow night, 17th February.
 
Ecotimber is the result of many years joint work by Solomon
Island organisations Komuniboli Training Centre and Solomon
Islands Development Trust, Greenpeace, and the joint trade
group the New Zealand Imported Tropical Timber Group (ITTG). It
has been funded by Greenpeace, NZ Timber Importers Assn, the New
Zealand Government, and the Pacific Development and Conservation
Trust.
  
"Todays launch is a milestone in Solomon Islanders struggle to
find an ecological alternative to logging. Ecotimber from
small village operations gives New Zealanders the chance to be
part of the solution to the destructive logging problem in the
Solomon Islands," said Greenpeace Solomon Islands Ecotimber 
Programme Director Philip Pupuka.
 
Ecotimber pioneer, Komuniboli Training Centre Director Sosimo
Kuki said: "The photos in The Logging Fields exhibition tell the
tragic story of logging by Asian companies in Solomon
Islands and Papua New Guinea. We're here to ask New Zealanders
to support village people in our country by buying Ecotimber." 

Speakers at The Logging Fields exhibition opening will include
a representative of tangata whenua to bless the timber, Philip
Pupuka and Sosimo Kuki, and ITTG Chairman Colin Perris. The
stunning black and white pictures show in graphic profile the
peoples and communities of Papua New Guinea and the Solomons,
whose environment and culture have been harshly impacted by
powerful foreign logging companies.
 
"Solomons ecotimber is unique in the world. For the first time
non-governmental organisations and the timber trade have
worked together to produce a sustainable source of tropical
timber," said Grant Rosoman of Greenpeace New Zealand, and the
ITTG Ecotimber coordinator.
 Melanesia contains the world's third largest tropical
rainforest. As the South-east Asian rainforests have been
cleared,
Melanesia has attracted aggressive foreign logging
conglomerates into its traditional communities, causing major
social and environmental upheaval.
 
WHAT: THE LOGGING FIELDS Photographic Exhibition
WHEN: 17 February to 7 March, 8.30am to 8.30pm, Mon-Sun
   OPENING NIGHT: Mon 17 February, 5.30-7.30pm
WHERE: AOTEA CENTRE, AUCKLAND, 1st Floor Foyer, FREE ADMISSION 

 
For further details or to arrange interviews with Sosimo,
Philip or Grant, please contact:
 Grant Rosoman on (649) 630 6317 or (649) 372 5655 (evenings), 
or Glyn Walters on 025 931 363.