My question to Tauranga MP Simon Bridges asks how he became an expert in marine biology and marine geology?

How can he say with absolute truth and knowledge the 55 Maui's dolphins won't be harmed or stressed by their peaceful environment when it's plainly evident he's no expert in those fields.

Ditto the Rena. How does he know what will be let loose with the drilling? Even real experts don't know and we're in an unstable part of the planet.

The people of Tauranga made their feelings clear, a turnout of about 400 is fairly representative. He ignores people at his peril - people who contribute to his salary for representing us. Is he in danger of becoming a John Key clone?

A charming smile and nice suit, slipping away unable to face the public, when something important comes up? It doesn't cut the mustard, he's lost my vote.

A Taylor, Avenues.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges responds:

The Government takes public concerns about Maui's dolphins seriously. In 2012, we established a collaborative forum of experts to review potential risks to Maui's dolphins and what more could be done to ensure their survival.

The forum found the threat to Maui's dolphins from oil and gas development is very small.

Fishing-related activities, specifically set nets, were identified as the biggest threat (95 per cent).

In response we've roughly doubled the set net ban area to more than 100km2.
The Government is also establishing an expert advisory group - comprising of researchers from the Department of Conservation and Ministry of Primary Industries who hold advanced degrees and doctorates in marine mammal studies and have many decades of research and experience collectively - to provide ongoing advice and to ensure we take every practical measure to protect the dolphins.

You can be assured this Government is totally committed to ensuring survival of Maui and Hector's dolphins.

It must be remembered conservation efforts and exploration have coexisted in Taranaki since the 1960s.

Exploration isn't new - 23 wells have been drilled in the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary over the past 40 years without a single incident involving Maui's dolphins.