Pop sensation Taylor Swift caused a stir in New Zealand this week with her surprise visit to film a music video. It said the film crew adhered to the dotterel protocol at all times, following guidelines provided about the bird’s nesting sites.
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The singer was filming on Bethells Beach in Auckland this week which is home to endangered dotterels.
But local campaigners say she turned up with a dozen vans and four-wheel drive cars, which could have crushed hidden nests.
She was apparently also at Auckland’s picturesque Bethell’s Beach with Swift in the water wearing a blue dress.
Cherokee Films released a statement tonight saying it accepted responsibility, but stressing that “no dotterel was harmed” during filming.
Snubbing the ceremony despite being awarded three gongs, fans were concerned about Taylor’s whereabouts before reports emerged to say she was in New Zealand.
“Taylor’s lot did not show any respect for the environment or the conditions of their consent”.
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed) confirmed to the New Zealand Herald that a permit to film on the beach was issued for use on Monday, November 23 for between 9am to 7pm.
The production crew were also warned to “stay alert for baby dotterels”, he said.
“Dear those amongst the production crew who knew the limits of the consent but made a decision to ignore them, May a giant bird s– on each of your heads every day until you are so covered in sticky mess that you can’t function physically as a human being”, he wrote on Facebook.
ATEED said they did not have power to take any punitive action against production companies that breached their permits, however they don’t “shake it off”.
“F– off and stop using our west to inflate your egos”.
The area has a protected zone for the nationally vulnerable dotterels, which nest in September and incubate their eggs for about a month, according to the Department of Conservation.
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However, a representative for Universal Music, Taylor Swift’s record label, have reportedly said they wouldn’t comment on the rumours.
