Explosives set by a seismic survey team for petroleum prospectors in Taranaki have been interfered with, and protesters are being blamed.
Todd Energy and is leading a joint effort to find petroleum between Mt Taranaki and the western coast.
Its seismic survey contractor buried a chain of explosive charges 20 metres deep but returned to find detonator wires cut and reburied.
Contracting company BTW says lives were put at risk and it suspects the group Climate Justice Taranaki, which last year promised direct action against drilling.
However Climate Justice Taranaki spokesperson Urs Signer says campaigners are encouraging landowners to deny access to would-be drillers, and are not disarming explosives.
