Mayor Brown indicates opposition to oil exploration in wake of 15,000-strong campaign

Almost 6,500 emails have been sent by the public directly to the mayor and an additional 8,500 have been sent to Auckland City councillors, imploring them to take a stand against deep oil surveying and drilling at a vote on the issue this Thursday.

Over the weekend, Brown indicated to media that he will be among those opposing oil exploration at the vote.

More than 185,000 square kilometres of sea in the Northland/Reinga Basin off Auckland’s west coast are currently at stake.  In the event of a deep sea blowout, modelling shows oil could inundate our beaches and harbours.

"In the area proposed in this block offer, off the west coast of Auckland, the risks of exploration appear to outweigh the benefits," Brown told the Herald on Sunday.

"In particular, I'm concerned for the protection of the remaining Maui's dolphin population, for Kaipara Harbour, which is nursery to an estimated 95 per cent of West Coast snapper stock, for the shellfish gathering, shorebird habitats and the recreational assets of our beaches."

Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Steve Abel, who will be making a formal presentation at the meeting on Thursday, welcomes Brown’s strong stance and says he could make or break the vote.

“The mayor made a powerful statement over the weekend that really encapsulates what we hold near and dear to us in this beach and harbour city. It’s promising to see him acknowledging what’s at stake,” Abel says.

Last time oil exploration was put to a vote in Auckland, council members were split 50/50 for and against. A final casting vote by chair George Wood sided with the oil drillers.

But this time, and for the first time since the issue has been put before council, the mayor will be chairing the meeting.

“Crucially, this means if it comes to it, the deciding vote will come down to Brown,” Abel says.

“Auckland Council has a real chance to show leadership, in the same way Christchurch and Kaikoura have, by opposing all oil exploration and drilling off our coasts.”

Both Christchurch and Kaikoura Councils have already come out in strong opposition to deep sea oil drilling. Dunedin Council will vote on the issue this afternoon.  

Over the past two months, 25 campaign groups around the country have been rallying their local councils to say “no” to oil exploration. Councils have until the end of this week to make a submission to government.

Abel expects a good public turnout at Thursday’s meeting in Auckland, and Greenpeace has started a Facebook page calling for Aucklanders to attend.

“Opposing deep sea oil exploration and drilling is a no-brainer for three reasons,” says Abel.  “The risk of an oil spill would be catastrophic for us and would completely destroy our beaches, the seismic blasting used to survey for oil harms our marine mammals like the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin, and then there’s the simple reality that if we want a chance against climate change, we can’t afford to take any more oil out of the ground.”

Abel says the New Zealand Government has created a misperception that the exploration is “safe” and doesn’t involve drilling, when that’s not the case.

“Once the Minister of Energy and Resources issues an oil exploration permit, it lasts 12-15 years and requires companies to undertake the riskiest kind of drilling - deep sea exploratory drilling - the very same that led to the world’s worst offshore oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico,” says Abel.

“Despite this, there is no point in the process for public to have a say other than at the council level.”   

The Auckland City Council vote on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's annual Block Offer takes place in the reception lounge of the Auckland Town Hall at 9:30am, October 29. 


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For more info:

Sophie Schroder, Greenpeace NZ Media & Communications, 021 086 47450
Steve Abel, Greenpeace NZ Campaigner, 021 927 301