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Regional | Waitangi

Anti-oil exploration hīkoi arrives at Waitangi

The hīkoi protesting against oil giant Statoil's continued exploration of the seabed arrived at Te Tii Marae in Waitangi today.

Around 100 people gathered outside the marae while the Prime Minister was still inside the whare of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, carrying with them a strong message of not wanting oil company exploration in their rohe.

They also hold strong concerns about the potential impacts oil exploratory drilling could have on water quality and sea life.

While they didn't get a chance to speak or express their concerns directly to the Prime Minister, they stood outside the marae while he was there singing and chanting the message they carried with them.

Statoil has its eyes set on the Te Reinga Basin and has a six-year term to explore the seabed for oil in the region.  This protest follows a similar protest held in Ahipara last month carrying the same message.