Musos band together for Stopstatoil festival

House of Shem singer/guitarist Carl Perkins performs at Raggamuffin in 2010. Photo / Ben Fraser

A band that led musical opposition to French nuclear testing three decades ago is now headlining a music festival aimed to bolster opposition to Norwegian firm Statoil's plan to search for oil off Northland's west coast.

Iconic reggae band Herbs, plus 16 other bands and artists, are due to play at Stopstatoil, a one-day festival at Ahipara's Kohanga/Shipwreck Bay on December 6.

As well as music, the event will include guest speakers, an art exhibition and a tamariki area.

The festival will coincide with the planned start to a seismic testing programme about 100km offshore by the Statoil, which last year won a government tender to explore 9800sq km of the Reinga Basin off Ninety Mile Beach. If the results of seismic testing are promising, the company could start drilling for oil in 2020.

The Government said the Reinga Basin shares many of the characteristics of the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand's main supplier of oil and gas, and could transform the Northland economy. Opponents say the risks of deep-water drilling are too great, as demonstrated by the Gulf of Mexico disaster in 2010. They are also worried about the effects of seismic testing on marine mammals.

Organiser Reuben Taipari Porter said deep-sea drilling opponents had decided to switch from fighting Statoil's plans with submissions and paperwork to raising awareness among the public, many of whom still knew little about what was happening off Northland's coast.

It was not by chance that nuclear protest veterans Herbs had been asked to headline the festival.

"It was a deliberate choice. It's still about the Pacific and looking after the oceans for future generations. It's the same kaupapa today."

The band did not hesitate when invited to take part, Mr Porter said.

Like all bands taking part, they would perform at cost, "just enough to pay for their petrol and a feed of paua". It was a non-profit event with the entry fee covering expenses only.

Other bands/performers will include NRG Rising, House of Shem, Ahurangi, Acoustic Activists, Muriwhenua senior kapa haka group, Tu Ake Crew, Jah Sito, Tribal Connexionz, One Tribe, Kaipara Hip Hop, Matiu Te Huki, The Diggers, Johnny Pedro and Whekau the Owl.

Speakers will include marine scientists, anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune, former MP Hone Harawira and traditional whale flensing experts.

The festival starts with a powhiri, shared kai and a forum from 6-10pm on December 5. The drug and alcohol-free festival runs from 10am-8pm on December 6.

-Entry is $25 for adults and $10 children (under-10s free) with $10 for camping. Tickets available from eventfinder.co.nz and Bidz Takeaways in Ahipara.