An East Coast iwi is reaching out to other Maori tribes and the wider New Zealand public to fight oil exploration off its shores.
Te Whanau a Apanui hosted a hui in Auckland at the weekend to discuss its response to the Government's invitation to Brazilian company Petrobras to prospect for oil and gas in the Raukumara basin.
Chairperson Riki Gage told Waatea News it found common interests with other iwi and with environmentalists.
He says in its drive to encourage onshore and offshore exploration, the Government is ignoring its duty to look after the environment.
Mr Gage says the iwi is concerned there is not a repeat of the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill in New Zealand waters and it is bracing itself for a long fight.
