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The Climate Change Iwi Leaders Group is warning overseas oil giant OMV is about to start drilling the seabed despite the Government ban on new oil and gas permits.
Spokesperson Mike Smith says it's rig is arriving at a time iwi leaders have declared a national climate emergency and councils around the country are following suit.
OMV holds most of the existing permits and plans to drill 12 new wells off the Taranaki coast and 10 wells in the Great South Basin.
Mr Smith says the iwi leaders group want to work constructively with government to transition society away from a fossil fuel based economy but exploration must be halted.
He warned Māori action to protect the foreshore and seabed in 2004 and led to Labour government losing most of the Māori seats.
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