Activists plan blockade of annual oil industry conference in Wellington

The activists are calling for all oil and gas exploration to end and a "just" transition for workers in the industry. File photo

About 200 people are expected to set up a blockade to disrupt an oil industry conference in Wellington tomorrow.

Activist groups from around the country are gathering in the capital this week to protest the New Zealand Petroleum Conference.

"We need to take bold, collective action now to prevent catastrophic climate change and as such we'll be getting in the way of the oil and gas industry by blockading their annual summit in Wellington," said Oil Free Wellington spokesman James Barber.

"The reason why people are putting themselves in the way is because it's a really important issue. The idea is that by getting in the way of business as usual for oil companies and their exploration conference where they plan to grow their business, we're sending a strong message about the determination and the steadfastness of our opposition."

A number of different groups have travelled to Wellington to hold a rally for climate justice outside the conference at the TSB Arena on Tuesday.

"The science is clear, to prevent catastrophic climate change we cannot burn all the fossil fuels which we've already found, let alone explore for more," Barber said.

"The world is already struggling to adapt to a changing climate. The Government needs to stop handing out exploration permits, stop all existing exploration and drilling, and provide for a just transition for workers in the industry."

Barber said a "just" transition meant the Government would provide support for anyone who would be affected by the end of the oil and gas industry, so it would not "destroy these communities".

"The solutions to climate change must include and benefit the people most affected by it - indigenous peoples, people of colour and those struggling on low incomes. Those most affected by climate change are the least responsible for it."

Barber said the activists wanted to see change not only for the environment, but for people living in poverty and dealing with the effects of colonisation.

"We want to see a world where these problems are solved holistically."

Barber said organisers of the protest were preparing to provide support for anyone arrested or "treated roughly" by police at the rally, but hoped it would not be necessary.

The blockade would be "completely non violent".

Other groups joining the protest include Climate Justice Taranaki, Te Ara Whatu, Pacific Panthers, 350 Aotearoa, Pacific Climate Warriors, Auckland Peace Action, Peace Action Wellington, People Against Prisons Aotearoa, Unions Wellington, Oil Free Otago, Catholic Workers, Indigenous Peoples Uprising and Te Ikaroa.

"We're shocked that the summit is being held in a council-owned venue, particularly since Mayor Justin Lester has previously committed to ethical guidelines for events taking place in council venues," Barber said.

The rally calls for the Government to not commit to any new permits and to stop all drilling and prospecting for oil and gas as part of a just transition for workers and communities.

It also calls for the oil and gas industry to stop drilling and prospecting and "clean up the damage you have caused and make amends to the communities you've harmed".

Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand, which holds the conference, has been contacted for comment.