Ngati Ruanui Iwi Supports Government Decision to End Offshore Oil Exploration

Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui Trust (Ngati Ruanui) supports the government’s announcement to end the granting of new offshore oil exploration in New Zealand.

Ngati Ruanui has experienced the largest number of both onshore and offshore oil well development in South Taranaki over the last 50 years. Ngati Ruanui has for a long time signalled the need for a long term sustainable direction for oil and gas permitting and this announcement is a step in the right direction.

No new exploration offshore sends a clear signal about moving to a carbon neutral economy and at the same time providing long term protection of the most vulnerable environment, said Haimona Maruera Jnr, Chairman of Ngati Ruanui.

Oil and gas drilling offshore has far greater risks than onshore mining and we have been saying this for a long time. We have been vocal and proactive in making sure our ocean environments are protected. The recent decision to grant offshore iron sand mining operation off the coast of Taranaki has been one we have fought hard against, said Debbie Ngarewa-Packer Kaiarataki of Ngati Ruanui.

Ngati Ruanui is also looking for more changes in the legislation that control the oil industry and mining, and in particular more scrutiny over approval being granted. Debbie said there is a lot more work to be done.

There are lots of offshore permits already granted and most of them are in our backyard so this won’t be an immediate end to offshore drilling. We will keep working with industry to ensure best practice and environmental protection said Debbie.

Ngati Ruanui is looking forward to meaningful discussions with Ministers being the most impacted iwi in the country.

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