Climate Activist Attempts to Pay Levy with Hand-Drawn Note

A climate activist made headlines after attempting to pay a court-imposed levy using a hand-drawn $50 note. The protest, led by Bruce Mahalski, 62, also known as Nye, was staged outside the Dunedin Courthouse on March 15, 2024. Mahalski’s actions stemmed from a previous conviction for trespass, which he received after displaying a sign reading “it’s a climate emergency” at Dunedin Airport in July 2022.

On that occasion, Mahalski was served a trespass notice but returned to the terminal in August 2022, defying the order. His recent stunt was a response to the wording of the offender levy notice he received, which stated that the fee was “to help address the harm that their crimes cause.” He expressed his discontent by creating a note that featured a portrait of Shane Jones, along with a vulture and cannabis leaves, rather than the traditional imagery.

Mahalski emphasized the urgency of the climate crisis, stating, “This is an ever worsening existential threat to all humanity.” Despite the creative protest, his attempt to use the drawn note as payment was unsuccessful. Instead, an associate purchased the artwork with a legitimate $50 note, which Mahalski then utilized to settle the levy.

This isn’t the first time Mahalski has used unconventional methods to pay legal fees. In a previous instance, he paid the same fee with an actual $50 note placed inside a bag of coal, symbolizing his views on environmental issues.

The hand-drawn note is now set to be auctioned on Trade Me, with half of the proceeds designated for victims of violent crime. Mahalski hopes to raise around $1,000 from the auction. As of 17:00 on March 15, 2024, the highest bid stood at $250. The auction listing also noted that the highest bidder would receive the payment receipt along with an “it’s a climate emergency” T-shirt, adding a personal touch to the campaign.

Mahalski’s actions highlight the intersection of art, activism, and legal proceedings, reflecting a growing trend of using creative expressions to draw attention to pressing social issues.