The Green party is claiming success from the ‘Hands across the Sand' event held nationwide at the weekend – and drawing participation from 79 people at Mount Maunganui.

Tauranga organiser Daniel Hancock says the event was held to send a message to the government saying there are people opposed to offshore oil drilling.

The Hands across the Sand event involved 79 people at Mount Maunganui. Photo: Deanne Hancock.

It was an international cause with people standing on beaches in 25 different countries, each at midday in their respective countries on Saturday.

'In New Zealand, the threat of spills is growing – we have gas or oil prospecting off Taranaki, Southland and East Cape, and a proposal in place for Canterbury,” says Daniel.

'It is a Brazilian oil company, Petrobras that is prospecting off East Cape.

'Their safety record is abysmal, with 27 rig or refinery accidents and 282 fatalities since 1980.

Tauranga electorate Green party candidate Dr Ian McLean supports the movement.

'It's not just about deep sea drilling accidents,” says Ian.

'Our economic dependence on oil is resulting in significant changes to the world's climate, and is not sustainable.

'The time to make the shift to renewable energy sources for all of our economic activities is now.

'Deep sea drilling threatens our environment in two ways.

'First, due to the direct and acknowledged risk of industry accidents, and second, because continued oil use threatens our wellbeing.”