Ngai Tahu leader Mark Solomon questions why there are limited, if any, policy guidelines for oil and gas drilling in New Zealand waters.
Shell is partnering with the New Zealand subsidiary of the Austrian exploration and production company OMV, which has announced it will start seismic surveying off Southland in December.
OMV says it will be talking to Ngai Tahu about the environmental effects of its operation.
Mr Solomon says his biggest concern is not so much with the oil companies, but the Government's lack of policy.
He says the main issue for him is there seems to be little if any, procedures by the Government when it comes to drilling for oil, gas and minerals in the exclusive economic zone.
Mr Solomon says it is important to know what kinds of conditions mining companies will be working under first, before any work is done.
He says his iwi takes a case by case approach to mining and mineral exploration in New Zealand and adheres to some fundamental bottom lines in terms of practise and environmental protection.
Mr Solomon says as mana whenua their regional papatipu runanga will be closely involved in this process.
