Protestors show oil opposition

Traffic had to be diverted down 2nd and 3rd Ave today as hundreds of protestors gathered outside Tauranga MP and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges' office.

The protest, organised by Labour candidate, Tamati Coffey, was against the Government's decision to allow oil exploration in the habitat of the endangered Maui's dolphin.

Protestors marching along Devonport Road.

The Government has revealed that it will open more than 3000km of the Maui dolphin's habitat, the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary, up for oil and gas exploration.

Read more here.

Tamati told SunLive after the protest he is one of many concerned New Zealanders that have come to protest and stand up for the 55 Maui dolphins that are left in New Zealand.

'I'm overwhelmed by the turnout today. Sometimes when you plan these events who don't know who is going to show up but fortunately this morning we had hundreds of people show up.

'I'm more heartened by the messages of support we got through Facebook and twitter. We received lots of encouragement from people saying we were doing the right thing and that while they couldn't be here with us in Tauranga, there were here in spirit.”

He says the protest isn't a Labour specific event.

'Everything is always political. I am a candidate for Labour but I am doing this as a concerned member of New Zealand. There just happen to be other people from other parties here who are just as passionate.

'I would like to see some sort of action, some sort of acknowledgement from Simon Bridges that there actually a problem and that he is going to do everything he can to protect these species.”

Tamati says digging for oil and gas in their habit is the opposite of that.

'We would like him to acknowledge and implement the International Whaling Commissions findings. They have found for three years now that our Government need to do something to protect these species and we're not doing anything.

'The whole reason we are here today is for the Maui dolphins.”




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31 comments

Well oiled hypocrisy?

Posted on 21-06-2014 13:14 | By Annalist

Maybe well fed too? People seem quite happy to use oil from other places, where it's still a threat as based on their sensationalism nothing is 100% safe. But they stir up a political protest when it's in our own backyard. How moral is that? Not. I wonder how many travelled to the protest using oil, including Tamati?


@annalist

Posted on 21-06-2014 13:50 | By nerak

Not for the first time, I note you disparage the use of transport/oil. One therefore would assume you walk absolutely everywhere? Have never, ever, left Tauranga, other than on foot, or horse, or bicycle? Because of course anything else would be hypocritical.


It doesn't matter...

Posted on 21-06-2014 14:09 | By morepork

...whether you support oil or not. Transport, in our society, at this time is impossible without it (even electric cars need oil). That may change, but right now oil is needed and it is silly to debate that. What IS important here are the dolphin. All of us need to decide what we will tolerate as far as damaging our environment, and the habitat of the life which inhabits it (including ourselves and our future generations), we can accept. Given that there are other ways to get oil, and given that Maui dolphin are on the brink of extinction, it seems to be a no-brainer. We are not yet so morally or financially bankrupt that we need to pillage our National Parks, and it is right that people should take a stand against doing so. I support the protesters wholeheartedly.


dolphins can swim?

Posted on 21-06-2014 14:17 | By Calm Gully

Surely the dolphins will swim to safety?? Like annalist and nerak, I wonder how Tamati got to Tauranga today?? Yes we need to protect the dolphins, but we also use oil & gas, so at least companies working off shore in NZ comply with as many safe practices as possible. Stay safe everyone!


@annalist ...2

Posted on 21-06-2014 14:43 | By Paul Melhuish

Can't seem to win with you. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Personally, I can see this is an obviously well intentioned cause. Attempting to sabotage it, by aiming at the protesters traveling by car, is trivial.


55 and counting down to zero

Posted on 21-06-2014 14:48 | By The Beaten Generation

Thanks to the Government and Simon Bridges.


That kind of attitude

Posted on 21-06-2014 14:53 | By freedomkiwis

It's just that kind of attitude of the previous 2 comments that will eventually destroy everything we have. Sure we use oil from elsewhere......but boy do we pay for it!!!!!. There's no need to put our endangered species at risk just for financial gain that the everyday person won't even benefit from. NZ had a massive oil field in the Great South Basin that they capped, sold internationally, then tried to make out there was nothing there.


Hypocracy?

Posted on 21-06-2014 14:54 | By Bobby

Hey analist, the whole point of a marine sanctuary is that it is a safe area for marine life. ANY risk, no matter how small is unacceptable. I normally wouldn't attend a protest like this, but this last decision by National was the straw that broke the camels' back for me. I am sick and tired of this govt, their corrupt behaviour, and their contempt for the will of the people. Roll on election day, lets boot the buggers out


Not oil!

Posted on 21-06-2014 15:04 | By Baystyle

We need to draw a line and say no more drilling. Oil is on the decline and small pockets of oil discovered will not change that. Elon Musk has proved electric cars are a viable option. If our extremely generous government stopped giving millions to mining corporations and rather invested in a network of charging stations we could be one of the world leaders in the inevitable change to electric cars. If you had the choice of filling your car with petrol for $150.00 or recharging it with water generated grid power for say $15.00 which would you choose? See: http://www.teslamotors.com/


mob

Posted on 21-06-2014 15:16 | By dumbkof2

Same old rent a rabble/mob/protester


Where is the coward?

Posted on 21-06-2014 15:53 | By dgk

Typical of Mr Bridges to not bother to show up. We pay him a six figure benefit (aka salary) and he doesn't bother to show. Typical uncaring politician.


Not on a TV Show Now Tamati

Posted on 21-06-2014 15:54 | By carpedeum

Blatant Electioneering stunt. Agree with dumbkof2 about the same old rent a crowd mob !! No credibility with me Im sorry


Rastus

Posted on 21-06-2014 15:55 | By rastus

I do not think any sane person would want to deliberately harm any of natures creatures but there must be a balance so what we really need are some facts - not a load of emotional twaddle . First off I have been wanting to know just how exactly did you greenies decide that there were just 50 something of the mammals left on earth. Secondly I thought you claimed it was fishermen who were killing them. What evidence have you got that shows that oil prospecting has ever killed any dolphins. The point is that the gulf between your emotional claims and reality is actually very wide and until you can come to the table with some facts - not emotion or opinion, then how do you expect any intelligent person to take the slightest bit of notice of your antics. (especially the politician)


Sad

Posted on 21-06-2014 16:03 | By tonya

Sad how these people fall for a political stunt like this. Do they realise that Tamati is using them unmercifully and have any of them checked out the actual risk to the dolphins? Pigs flying overhead!


Lillie

Posted on 21-06-2014 16:17 | By jono76

Lillie is my daughter, she was the little girl in the purple jersey holding the sign that said "save the dolphins" because she loves them as we all do. If you dont there is something wrong with you! All I would say is that unfortunately her generation is going to be left to pick up the pieces after small minded and short sighted decisions such as mining for oil within Marine Sanctuary's.


Closing down discussion

Posted on 21-06-2014 16:27 | By ronillian

@annalist. I'm very tired of that oft-trotted out, old cliched argument that if you use petrol you cannot comment on these issues. It is childish in the extreme. And nothing but an attempt to close down mature discussion on how we, collectively, move forward to transition ourselves away from oil dependency. The fact that we still use oil: does that mean we cannot discuss drawing a line in the sand as to where we stop extracting increasingly difficult-to-get-at oil and deciding collectively where the environmental risks exceed the benefits? Annalist and dumbkof2 are obviously prepared to watch Maui dolphins driven to extinction by avoidable human activity. Very sad!


OIL GOES OVERSEAS

Posted on 21-06-2014 17:00 | By Colleen Spiro

The oil that NZ produces goes primarily to Australia and Asia.....what makes you think it would be cheaper for the average NZ'er if we produce more. It is a misnomer, bit like going to Oz and eating a crayfish from NZ and paying $20 a meal, and cannot afford to eat it here....Don't fool yourselves.


@Paul Melhuish!!!

Posted on 21-06-2014 17:37 | By Sambo Returns

Thats all wonderful Paul!!!!, but what gives them the idea that impeding me lawfully going about my Saturday morning chores is a good one, protest all you bloody want, but do it somewhere that does not impede others, the arrogance is unbelievable...I could not get to the petrol station before heading to the rugby.


Well Oiled Machine.

Posted on 21-06-2014 18:51 | By kiwiasauras

Good will take over for the love of life will enlighten us all .Look out your window and open the curtains its beautiful who are wee?


There must be something else...

Posted on 21-06-2014 20:48 | By groutby

....to be concerned about, the "Maui's" dolphin has only recently been invented,oil exploration as it is today has a level of importance, in future years maybe alternative technology will be relevant. Tamati, seriously mate, you look as though you are on the gravy train already...that in itself says a lot about the floundering Labour Party.....


Hundreds?

Posted on 22-06-2014 11:25 | By YOGI BEAR

I don't think so, more likely be lucky to be a hundred ... they occupied an area about three car parks in total once they stopped wandering all over the road and blocking law abiding citizens from doing their daily business.


The Pieces fit

Posted on 22-06-2014 20:25 | By yikes61

The proper use of science is not to conquer nature, but to live with it. Barry Commoner.


Same old Sambo.

Posted on 23-06-2014 13:19 | By Paul Melhuish

I must be right under your skin Sambo...plenty of other comments on here you could take aim at, yet you chose me. Excellent, bring it on, with you over the top exclamation marks and all.


Hypocrisy is not a trivial matter

Posted on 23-06-2014 14:07 | By Annalist

I simply expect protesters to practice what they preach. I feel that there are safeguards to avoid damaging the wildlife, but I also know nothing is 100% safe. I expect those who are so concerned about these dolphins (nothing to do with politicking of course!) to practice what they preach in relation to all oil extraction. Just some species threatened in areas where our oil comes from include the migratory mockingbird, North Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Sea Turtles, Tiger sharks, generic dolphins, brown pelicans etc etc. So the only moral and non hypocritical way forward is to not use oil. Yes it is possible if you stay in the one town or city, use solar energy and use a bike to get around. But forget holidays and other pleasures.


@Paul Melhuish!!!

Posted on 23-06-2014 15:45 | By Sambo Returns

because you are so easy to wind up, so how did the National Party candidate election go?, sorry I have been out of town so have not heard.


I wonder....

Posted on 23-06-2014 15:59 | By penguin

...how Bridges will deal with a question from his child if it asks.."Daddy why are there no Maui's dolphins left in the world?" Bridges should be man enough to say..."well Daddy made a decision that helped to wipe them out in favour of oil."


Before I reply...

Posted on 24-06-2014 07:27 | By Paul Melhuish

show me that you have the guts to come out of the shadows and from behind your pseudonym. If you are going to sling your hyped up, inaccurate, personal muck around I need a real person to retort to. Put up or shut up 'Sambo'.


Overit

Posted on 24-06-2014 18:44 | By overit

The bottom line here is-there are only 55 left.


@Paul Melhuish!!!

Posted on 24-06-2014 19:02 | By Sambo Returns

have you stopped taking your medication??, is it beyond your comprehension that I am only asking a polite question, as I thought you may have the answer, and as I have also said before, its Mr Returns to you.


Thought so....

Posted on 28-06-2014 14:40 | By Paul Melhuish

no guts....just wind.


@Paul Melhuish!!!

Posted on 29-06-2014 12:20 | By Sambo Returns

more than enough to blow you away sonny!!!!!.


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