The high risk and low reward was the topic of conversation at a Green Party organised talk this week.

Green MP Gareth Hughes spoke to about 60 people at the meeting in Papamoa on Thursday about how the relatively minor Rena oil spill is the third most expensive shipping accident.

Tauranga residents have voiced their concerns about deep sea oil drilling in the past.

He talked about how he felt the country's response was inadequate and yet the government has introduced no significant changes to the regulation of coastal shipping.

'Worse, current proposals to drill offshore are sailing in uncharted waters,” says Gareth. 'Drilling at water depths of up to 3000m requires highly specialised technology that has only recently been developed. Few people have the appropriate knowledge or experience, and they certainly won't be sourced locally.

'The government will receive five per cent of net revenues in royalties from any deep sea oil, one of the lowest royalty levels in the world.”

Forest and Bird officer Al Fleming spoke about the overlap between sea bird foraging areas and proposed areas for oil drilling.

He says the number of seabirds killed during the Rena spill ranges from at least 2000 to possibly 20,000.

Bay Mining Watch co-ordinator Julian Fitter was at the meeting as supporting speaker and spoke about how mining operations on land have many issues in common with deep sea oil exploration.

The meeting pitted economic benefits; jobs, boosting local economies, government revenue, against the economic, environmental and social risks posed by deep sea oil drilling.

The meeting was funded and organised by Parliamentary Services, Wellington, and in accordance with their strict funding rules, the meeting was completely unrelated to local government elections, apart from the fact that all sitting local government councillors were invited.