Activists from NZ parliament arrested

GREENPEACE activists have been arrested in New Zealand after coming down from their protest perch on the country's parliament building.
THE four activists spent the day on a third floor ledge in Wellington, setting up solar panels and unfurling banners criticising the government's response to climate change.
Police took them and their gear away, and they're expected to appear in court on Friday. "This was an unlawful protest and we've arrested two males and two females," Inspector Tony Bernard told reporters. "Each will be charged with one count of trespass, the maximum penalty is three months in prison." He said police decided to wait it out rather than try to get up on the ledge and arrest the activists. "It would have been very dangerous and this was a peaceful protest," he said. The activists scaled the building to get on the roof in what Speaker David Carter said was a serious breach of security. Mr Carter understands they got up by climbing scaffolding that's in place for maintenance work. They were well-equipped and at the end of their demonstration they abseiled down the front of the building to the main steps. Police were waiting for them behind barriers set up on the forecourt, and there were peaceful interchanges before they were led to a paddy wagon. "It was clearly an orchestrated exercise by Greenpeace, but the fact that was security was breached is something I'm very concerned about," Mr Carter told reporters. "In hindsight I think we've got to be prepared for any of these sorts of attacks on parliament. "We facilitate lawful protest here every day, this is an unlawful protest." Security at parliament had been beefed up following last year's terrorist attack at Canada's parliament. Parliamentary Service general manager David Stevenson has ordered a full review of security. During the demonstration a large banner was unfurled with a picture of Prime Minister John Key and the words: Cut pollution, create jobs? Yeah Nah. Mr Key wasn't at parliament on Thursday. Greenpeace chief policy adviser Nathan Argent said the organisation was aware there could be consequences for breaching security at parliament, but that it was important for them to get their message across.