Charles Chauvel, Labour’s environment spokesperson attended today's Forest & Bird’s Save the Mackenzie Country campaign launch which is part of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts exhibition, Artists as Activists.

Artists including Jane Zusters, Grahame Sydney and Brian Turner contributed work to the exhibit and campaign.

In addition, Canterbury artist Sam Mahon has produced a mechanical bust of Environment Minister Nick Smith made from cow dung, as a protest over the impact of pollution of waterways by intensive dairy farming and the current Government’s inaction.