Simon Bridges hits back at accusations

Simon Bridges

Labour candidate Tamati Coffey is "trying to dig himself out of a hole" by backing oil exploration if companies prove there is no harm to the dolphins, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

Labour leader David Cunliffe was accused by Prime Minister John Key of hypocrisy on 3 News on Tuesday after Mr Cunliffe said the party approved of oil exploration in the marine sanctuary only if it was done responsibly.

This follows a protest staged by Labour candidate and former TV presenter Mr Coffey at Simon Bridges' Tauranga office on Saturday asking for immediate action to ban oil and gas exploration in the West Coast Marine Mammal Sanctuary.

When asked if he was still backing his protest, Mr Coffey responded, "100 per cent".

In fact, Mr Coffey would be part of another protest in front of John Key's office in mid July.

Mr Coffey said he and Mr Cunliffe were "on the same page" in regard to oil exploration in the sanctuary - requiring the industry to have to prove it would cause no harm to the Maui's dolphin before any new consents would be granted.

"How is anyone going to prove it is safe? That's a rule that will ensure that we will work towards protecting the critically endangered Maui's dolphin," he said.

"Put the onus back on the petroleum companies to prove there's no harm to Maui's dolphins, like the new regulations around legal highs."

Mr Bridges said Mr Coffey was "trying to dig himself out of the hole he's got himself into".

"On the weekend, he was calling for me to be sacked and for an absolute ban on drilling.

"Now it's clear David Cunliffe supports continued petroleum activity, will Tamati Coffey be seeking a resignation from his leader?

"Or does he accept that he's had a complete about-face in his position?

"I wonder what his position will be tomorrow?"

Mr Bridges said Mr Coffey's stance was still different to that of Mr Cunliffe.

"David Cunliffe has accepted there is no proof of harm for petroleum activity so it should continue."

A man involved in Saturday's protest, who did not want his name used, said he was "lost for words" about Mr Cunliffe's stance.

"I just don't get it. But one thing I do know is that our politicians of New Zealand need an overhaul.

"We need a fresh change in this country."

Dr Grant Duncan, an associate professor in the politics programme at Massey University, said within Labour there were differing values in terms of economic growth and the "extractive industries" - fishing and oil exploration.

"There's growth on one hand and conservation of endangered species on the other.

A spokesman for Conservation Minister Nick Smith said there had not been a single sighting of the Maui's dolphin in the Block Offer area, based on 809 official observer trips.

"There is a historic record of Maui's dolphin sightings - 975 since 1970.

"The minister has been advised that about a dozen of these could be in the Block Offer area.

"However, the exact location of these cannot be verified."

Mr Cunliffe could not be contacted for comment.