Sixty Wanganui locals turned out at Castlecliff Beach on Saturday to join thousands along New Zealand's coastline for "Banners on the Beach" action against Anadarko deep sea oil drilling.
One of the event co-ordinators, Rachel Rose, said it was a colourful, peaceful protest that drew a real cross-section of Wanganui people and lots of families.
"People were wonderfully creative with the signs they made to express their concern at the risk posed by deep-sea oil drilling."
Ms Rose said their immediate focus was Texas-owned oil company Anadarko's drill ship off the coast of Raglan, preparing for exploratory drilling at 1500 metres.
"This is more than 10 times deeper than the deepest well currently producing in New Zealand.
"Information released under the Official Information Act last week was frightening," she said.
"It showed expert advice given to the environment minister and kept secret until now. The risks soar as drilling goes deeper."
Ms Rose told the Saturday group about the equipment Anadarko's drill ship was carrying on board to respond to a spill: "Some socks, pads and pillows; 20 pounds of an oil absorbent, 15 disposable bags plus gloves, goggles and overalls for four people - but only one shovel between them. And an emergency response guidebook."
She quoted environment peak body ECO's assessment of Anadarko's preparedness: "There appears to be no provisions for spills at sea or for a well blowout or other spill from the drill vessel."
Ms Rose's wry response was; "This seems to be enough only for a spill on deck, not for anything from the drilling itself".
Another action co-ordinator, Raewyn Roberts, said it was incredible that Anadarko was allowed to proceed to drill to that depth without a safety plan.
However, Anadarko was relying on Maritime NZ to respond to more serious spills, Ms Rose said.
"Maritime NZ has three 8.2m motor-dinghies but these are not offshore-capable vessels, according to ECO."
Ms Rose added that it was obvious that those gathered shared a number of overlapping concerns about the environment and the government's actions.
"This includes asset sales, climate change, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) being negotiated in secret and the lack of commitment to developing new forms of renewable energy.
"There was talk of how these operations by multi-national corporations are in breach of the Treaty of Waitangi. We were also joined by several people from the Hawke's Bay who are active in the anti-fracking movement there.
"In particular, there is deep concern about the immediate prospect of seabed mining. The entire coast from Wanganui to Cape Reinga is covered by prospecting or exploration licenses; nearly a quarter of NZ's mainland territorial sea is threatened by mining."
People were encouraged to make a submission on Trans Tasman Resource's application to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) for the first Marine Consent to mine 65sq km of the seabed off the coast of Patea in the South Taranaki Bight for 20 years.
"What we're seeing is a groundswell of opposition to such exploitation. The event's Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/oilfreeseasWhanganui will remain active as a hub for further local activities."
A public meeting about the TPP has been called for Thursday, 5.30pm at Stellar, 2 Victoria Ave.