28 Nov 2013

Hikoi raises awareness about drilling plan

7:12 pm on 28 November 2013

The organiser of a four-day day hikoi in Taranaki says the march has succeeded in making more people aware about drilling for oil and gas within 300 metres of Egmont National Park.

Up to 50 people took part in a walk from the settlement of Parihaka to Opunake to protest against Tag Oil's plans to drill eight wells at the base of Mount Taranaki.

Ngaruahine Action Group organiser Missy Spooner is nursing blisters from the 67km walk which finished on Thursday, but says it's been worth it.

Ms Spooner says the Canadian company's plan to drill so close to the sacred mountain is a desecration and there has been a lack of robust consultation involving iwi.

A hapu of Ngaruahine iwi, Ngati Haua, plans to appeal against a Stratford District Council hearing decision allowing drilling to proceed.