Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

Best news of last week was that the Brazilian company, Petrobras, has given up its exploration licence for the Raukumara Basin, off East Cape. This company has a poor environmental record and the prospect of it conducting deep-water drilling on our shores is, put simply, terrifying.

Problem solved? We wish! Petrobras will put its seismic data up for sale, and the government is still pushing its exploration agenda. The permit offer going out this week is for 40,285 sq km of seabed off our coast. No doubt the Raukumara Basin will be back on the table pronto.

The government is also offering land-based exploration licences covering 5794 sq km over much of the West Coast of both islands. For these areas, expect fracking if extraction occurs.

There is simply no need to take those environmental risks. We have enough clean green energy to service our needs. It is the will to change that is missing.