Kiwi protester on oil rig 'for the long haul'

New Zealander Johno Smith on board the Polar Pioneer oil platform in the Pacific Ocean. Photo / supplied

An Auckland Greenpeace activist who boarded an oil rig in the middle of the Pacific Ocean today says he is determined to stay there to protest Shell's plan to drill for oil in the Arctic.

Johno Smith scaled the 38,000 tonne Arctic-bound oil rig around 7am Honolulu time with five other Greenpeace climbers.

Speaking via satellite phone tonight on board the Polar Pioneer - located 720 miles north-west of Hawaii - he said he planned to be there "for the long haul".

"We can stay up here for as long as possible to get a message through to Shell and make more people aware of what is currently happening.

"They've decided to go and start drilling for oil in the Arctic and we believe that it is one of the most pristine, and one of last pristine spots in the world and it can't afford to have an oil spill."

The 32-year-old said apart from cold weather conditions, he and the other climbers were coping well.

The multi-national team had set up camp on the underside of the main deck and had enough supplies to last several days.

Smith said they also had the potential to re-supply if needed.

The Polar Pioneer was one of two drilling vessels heading towards the Arctic for Shell this year - according to Greenpeace - and is being transported on a 217 metre heavy-lift vessel called Blue Marlin.

The Greenpeace ship Esperanza followed the rig for 5000 nautical miles since it left Brunei Bay in Malaysia.

Tonight the Esperanza and its 35 person crew were stationed approximately one nautical mile from the rig.

Smith, who is based in South Auckland and has been climbing for 13 years, travels around New Zealand working as a contract climber.

He started volunteering with Greenpeace two years ago but said this was his first time climbing aboard a ship.

"I decided I had to take a stand because I don't think Shell have the right to go into the Arctic and cause the potential damage that may happen up there."

"I just hope that other people are inspired to stand up for what they believe in...stand up for what's morally right and have a voice."

Shell's drilling lease for the Chukchi Sea in the Alaskan Arctic was approved last week in the United States.

Both of its drilling vessels are crossing the Pacific and were expected to arrive in Seattle around the middle of April before heading to the Chukchi Sea.

Shell spokeswoman Kayla Macke confirmed protestors had "illegally boarded the Polar Pioneer, under contract to Shell, jeopardizing not only the safety of the crew on board, but the protestors themselves".

She added: "Shell has met with organizations and individuals who oppose energy exploration offshore Alaska. We respect their views and value the dialogue. We will not, however, condone the illegal tactics employed by Greenpeace. Nor will we allow these stunts to distract from preparations underway to execute a safe and responsible exploration program."