One of the two New Zealand Greenpeace protesters charged with hooliganism by Russian authorities has walked out of jail on bail today.

Official advice that appeared to show the risk of an oil spill off Kaikoura was far greater than first thought is deeply misleading, Environment Minister Amy Adams says.

Labour claims the Government has kept secret the real risk of a major oil spill at Anadarko's proposed Kaikoura drilling site.

The first of 30 Greenpeace activists arrested by Russia in an Arctic protest two months ago has been freed on bail, in a case that has drawn attention both to Russia's ambitions in the region and its hard line against dissent.

Greenpeace has aid the oil drilling ship Noble Bob Douglas and its support vessel breached maritime protocols.

One of the two New Zealand Greenpeace protesters jailed in Russia on hooliganism charges has been told he will be released on bail.

A small boat is refusing to move from the site where Texan oil giant Anadarko intends to drill off the coast of Raglan, as a large drilling ship bears down upon it.

Simon Bridges' "uncontrolled blowout" on TV's 'Campbell Live' while discussing deep sea oil drilling was probably due to personal animosity with the host.

A tweet that appeared to suggest Israel had attacked Syria sent US oil prices soaring - until traders realised the post referred to the 40th anniversary of a war.

A report into the oil and gas sector says the "rubber's finally hitting the road" with $2.2 billion about to be spent exploring around New Zealand.

Forecast airline profits around the world have been revised down as a result of the oil price spike stemming from the Syrian crisis.

The Government has kicked off moves towards oil and gas exploration across huge areas of New Zealand and the surrounding oceans by consulting with iwi and local authorities in affected areas.

A Government report shows oil and gold production has slipped sharply, bucking a decade-old trend in which exports from the petroleum and minerals sector have tripled.

New Zealand Oil & Gas says it should have been developing new oil fields by now as reserves at its producing assets dwindle.

More Auckland drivers are calling for help after unsuccessfully trying to squeeze the last kilometre from an empty fuel tank.

Despite modern vehicles being more fuel efficient, drivers still run out of gas and Aucklanders are the worst offenders, the Automobile Association says.

Oil drilling began yesterday in Balcombe, West Sussex, where anti-fracking campaigners have been protesting for 10 days.

Rising oil and gas prices will make solar, wind and tidal energy, some types of biofuels, and even nuclear generation more attractive, writes Wayne Cartwright.

'I've always wanted my name in lights in the big city.' Minister Simon Bridges laughs off a Greenpeace billboard accusing him of misleading Parliament.

Drivers across Auckland today voiced their contempt for "ridiculous" rising fuel costs.

Hikes in fuel prices have forced the cost of petrol to a record high - with two large chains upping the cost of 91-octane to $2.27 per litre today.

Herein lies the opportunity for NZ, writes Frank Duffield. Its resource base is largely underexplored, and world-scale natural gas discoveries are quite possible.

Petrol prices are equalling a record high at 222.9c a litre for 91-octane at non-discounting service stations, after 'unjustified' price rises by the main oil companies.

Sam Judd presents a scathing case against the "Not In My Back Yard" phenomenon, which causes inequality, exploitation of developing countries and horrific environmental destruction.

Motorists face petrol price rises today, after a 3c-a-litre government excise tax increase.