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Norwegian government representatives are avoiding Maori campaigners who have turned up at the United Nations Oceans conference in New York to present a petition opposing oil exploration off the East Coast.
Tere Harrison from Te Ikaroa, which represents 80 Tairawhiti hapu and iwi, says the ship hired by Norwegian state oil company Statoil to do seismic testing has stayed out of port so it doesn't have to engage with Maori.
That's why Te Ikaroa sent boats out to confront the Amazon Warrior, as well as a delegation to New York.
She says the Norwegians have rejected requests for a meeting.
"We went knowing the Norwegian Government, Statoil would not welcome these messages from our people because they have received such a negative response from indigenous peoples, from Maori from the north, from Aotearoa. It's not surprising to us and we will continue regardless," Ms Harrison says.
Te Ikaroa has had help from other indigenous groups around the world to get to New York and put their message.
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