Four environmental protesters breached security at New Zealand’s parliament by scaling the roof and perching on a ledge above the main entrance.
The Greenpeace protesters hauled up solar panels and unfurled a banner to protest what they say is the government’s lack of action in promoting renewal energy and dealing with climate change.
The four secured themselves on the ledge to the building in the capital Wellington with climbing harnesses and ropes.
The protest began at dawn local time and continued throughout the morning. Police issued the four with trespass notices but authorities said they planned to allow the protesters to come down on their own.
The breach will come as an embarrassment to the parliament’s security services.
David Stevenson, the general manager of Parliamentary Service, said he had ordered a full review of security procedures as a result of the breach.
“Trespassing in or on the buildings is totally inappropriate, regardless of the motivations of those involved,” he said.
“We are therefore taking this incident very seriously and will be looking for any lessons we can draw from it.”
The forecourt in front of the main entrance is frequently used for sanctioned protests.
Speaking from a mobile phone, protester Johno Smith told The Associated Press the four were experienced climbers and they planned to come down once they had got their message out and “before it gets too cold”.
He said he hoped the protest would inspire people to act.
“We need to take clean-energy action,” he said. “Our society is based around fossil fuels.”
About 77% of New Zealand’s electricity generation comes from renewable sources, including hydroelectric, geothermal and wind. The country’s vehicle fleet, on the other hand, primarily uses gasoline and diesel.