An Oil Free Wellington banner on the City to Sea bridge. Photo / supplied
Anti-oil exploration protesters have put up banners in Wellington ahead of the National Party's Annual Conference in protest at deep sea oil drilling in a marine sanctuary.
Members of Oil Free Wellington hung banners across the City to Sea bridge in the capital that read: 'Hey Simon, Extinction is Forever'
and 'Stop Deep Sea Oil'.
The banners were hung across the City to Sea bridge, on the arrival route of Ministers entering the conference, including Prime Minister John Key.
The group's action was in response to Simon Bridges confirming the National Party's plans to allow oil and gas drilling in a marine sanctuary, home to the critically endangered Maui 's dolphin.
"The decision to explore for oil and gas in the Maui's habitat proves once again the reckless nature of this Government 's pursuit of unconventional fossil fuels and drive to put short-term profit over people and the environment." said Oil Free Wellington spokesperson James Barber.
"Not only could deep sea oil drilling be catastrophic to the Maui's dolphin population, but it also exacerbates climate change and risks a spill, which would be devastating to the region's wildlife and coastlines."
"This comes at a time when the International Whaling Commission has challenged the Government to do more to protect the Maui."
The Labour Party has confirmed that it also supports oil and gas exploration in the habitat of the world's most endangered cetacean.
"It is unfortunate that both the National Party and the Labour Party are ignoring the 60% of New Zealanders who say they are more likely to vote for a party that will protect the Maui 's dolphin, according to a Colmar Brunton poll released this week." said Barber.
-nzherald.co.nz
