A group supporting gas exploration off the coast of Otago is aiming to educate the general public about the benefits that future mining could bring to the South Island region.
The newly-formed Pro Oil and Gas Otago initiated Friday's meeting with Anadarko, the Texan oil company wanting to explore several sites off the New Zealand coast. It was created to counter so-called scaremongering by protest group Oil Free Otago.
Spokesperson Robyn Broughton says there is a groundswell of support in Dunedin for the exploration to go ahead, but most of the media coverage goes towards those against it.
"People have said that all they see is negative headlines in the media, that Dunedin needs to grow and businesses are moving away from Dunedin.
"But when new businesses want to establish in Dunedin, you get the nimby (not in my backyard) brigade. Something has to change."
Ms Broughton says the meeting with Anadarko was to communicate support for its activities.
Shell has permits for areas designated in yellow in the Great South Basin. It intends to drill the test well in the left part. Photo: SHELL GSB
