'Leave our lands and seas alone'

SECOND LEG: The anti-oil exploration hikoi preparing to make its way through Kaitaia yesterday.

Protests against Statoil's seismic oil exploration off western Northland and the "dubious" way the government had "bulldozed" the granting of deep sea oil exploration permits continue this week with a hikoi to Waitangi, timed to coincide with the arrival of government politicians there on Thursday.

Those taking part include tribal representatives from the Far North, the Hokianga, Kaipara, Auckland and Whangarei, veteran activist Mike Smith saying anyone who supported the kaupapa would be welcome.

"It's pretty clear the consultation over Statoil's deep sea oil permits was fake from start to finish," Mr Smith said.

"What we have witnessed comes out of a corporate handbook on how to screw over the natives.

"We have a responsibility to look after the land and sea for current and future generations. Important questions from elders continue to be unanswered."

Ngati Hine tribal leader Pita Tipene was also critical of the government consultation process.

"The government has had minimal consultation, comprising a letter to iwi runanga and some presentations at hui that were patronising and evasive. We also know that the broader public have been entirely locked out of the decision making processes," he said.

"All this is disrespectful and deceitful when we are talking about the impacts of some of the biggest issues facing the people of this country, and indeed the world."

He noted that the Waitangi Tribunal had last year found that Ngpuhi never ceded sovereignty to the British Crown.

Meanwhile, since the Foreshore and Seabed Act took effect, rights to explore and drill for oil reserves that lie beneath massive areas of seabed and continental shelf had been handed to corporations.

"So why does the government think they control the entire decision-making over deep sea oil exploration and drilling? Our customary authority has been recognised, and therefore the affected coastal hap are the decision-makers," he added

That position was been endorsed by Sonny Tau, who said iwi did not have the ability to make binding decisions on hap in regard to deep sea oil drilling.