14 Jan 2014

Govt denies opposition to deep sea drilling is growing

7:06 am on 14 January 2014

Energy Minister Simon Bridges, is rubbishing a claim by the Green Party that opposition is growing in New Zealand to deep-sea oil drilling.

The Greens have launched a campaign calling for Anadarko, an oil-exploration company from Texas, to get out of New Zealand.

The company is drilling test wells off the coast of Taranaki, and is due to drill in the Canterbury Basin off Otago early next month.

Mr Bridges says all the polls he's seen clearly show most New Zealanders are at least moderately in favour of exploring petroleum opportunities.

He says National is taking a more balanced approach than the Greens.