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National | Gisborne

Oil exploration in Gisborne sparks protest

Ngā Ariki Kaiputahi and supporters are concerned about the environmental effects of oil exploration in their area.

Tag Oil first met with iwi in 2011, but since then iwi say they have only met on one other occasion. Citing the lack of consultation on such an important issue has been pretty much non-existent.

The oil well has been granted permission to drill to the depth of just over 3000m, on Kanakanaia Rd, which is about 50km out of Gisborne.

The Gisborne District Council say that the applications were processed on the basis that the adverse effects would be less than minor.  Therefore it by-passed the public consultation process in this instance.

Last year an Iwi Management Plan was handed to the council, in the hopes that the council will heed their concerns on the environmental impact.