Tamati Coffey leads protest to save dolphins

Protesters march through Tauranga streets on Saturday. Photo/Andrew Warner

After leading more than 300 people in a protest aimed at helping to save the Maui dolphins, Rotorua Labour candidate Tamati Coffey believes he's proved he's more than "just a smiley weather man".

Mr Coffey took just three days to organise Saturday's march, protesting the decision to allow oil and gas exploration in New Zealand's West Coast Marine Mammal Sanctuary, home to the critically endangered Maui dolphin. The group marched to the Tauranga office of Ministry of Energy and Resources Simon Bridges.

Mr Coffey said that while he organised the protest as a "concerned citizen" it showed those who criticised him as "just a smiley weather man" he was more than that.

"It has shown them that I am listening to the people and gauging the temperature of issues," Mr Coffey said. He added that the success of the march had left him feeling invigorated.

"It was just breathtaking seeing all of the people fighting for the animals that they've never seen."

He said he believed the success came down to a new generation of people who were passionate about protecting the environment.

"We are doing a terrible job if there are only 55 [Maui dolphins] left. I think it really strikes at the heart."

Mr Coffey said he wasn't sure immediately what his next step was with the issue but "it's still something I'm passionate about".

He labelled Mr Bridges "arrogant and out of touch" after the Tauranga MP failed to show at the protest. "As a taxpayer, you expect the MP to front up. It was really, really disappointing."

Mr Bridges said that he was still the same good guy people voted into Parliament three years ago.

"Obviously we are close to an election and we had this last election where things often get a bit silly," Mr Bridges said.

"I have a significant portfolio with controversial issues, I hope that I'm still a nice guy." Additional reporting Bay of Plenty Times