Save Happy Valley coalition began an ongoing occupation near the proposed Cypress open cast coal mine, currently Department of Conservation land. The site proposed by State-owned Solid Energy is in the Upper Waimangaroa Valley in the Ngakawau Ecological District, near Westport on the South Island's west coast. The current occupation follows on from two previous protest camps. Solid Energy told RadioNZ news that they had no problem with the sit-in although they still sent in security guards to film occupiers who responded by blocking with a banner and photographing the guards.

The SHV coalition has groups in Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North, Wellington and on the west coast, as well as support from members of coast-based conservation groups including Buller Conservation Group, Forest and Bird, Ngakawau Riverwatch and Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae. The Greens and Greenpeace have also expressed support for the occupation and Gregor Sieboeck is taking a detour from his planned route down the South Island to walk from Greymouth to Happy Valley as part of his around the world walk for sustainability.

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