US oil and gas giant Anadarko has invoked new regulations restricting protesters at sea.
The company's drill ship Noble Bob Douglas will soon be drilling 100 nautical miles off the coast of Taranaki and Raglan in waters 1.5 kilometres deep.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says it has agreed to Anadarko's request for a non-interference zone of 500 metres around the ship.
Such a zone is permitted under an amendment to the Crown Minerals Act earlier this year and will be in place from Friday until February 2014.
At least four boats have set sail for the drilling area in the past few days as part of an anti-oil flotilla. Several more from Wellington are due to leave in the next two days.
Police say they are working with the ministry and other agencies to ensure a co-ordinated and appropriate response should there be any illegal activity.
Anadarko's corporate affairs manager Alan Seay says safety is their main concern.
"If we see that the zone is being breached, if we become concerned for the safety of people entering that zone, and indeed the people on our own vessel, then yes it's up to us to notify the appropriate authorities."
A spokesperson for Oil Free Sea Flotilla, Anna Horne, says the crews will work out what they are doing when they get to the area. The group says it is very aware of the regulations and wants a peaceful and safe protest.
