Statoil was given a 15-year exploration permit to search and drill for oil off the west coast of Northland, In December 2013. This permit covers just under 10,000 square kilometres of seabed. Statoil intends using sonar explosions to penetrate the seabed and bounce back to see what is below. These seismic surveys have been strongly tied to fatal whale, dolphin and giant squid strandings and deaths at sea. Then they’ll analyse the information and apply to drill for oil in the most promising places. The drilling phase would target the seabed between 1,000 and 2,000 metres below the waves. The Gulf of Mexico spill happened by drilling in 1,500 metres of water.

Opponents claim that government regulations over deep sea oil drilling are completely inadequate and if things go wrong, the Government requires these companies only to pay a small amount towards cleaning up an oil spill while the cost to our livelihoods, economy and international reputation would be devastating and would amount to billions of dollars.

Further while politicians have been claiming that there will be thousands of jobs for the north in deep sea oil drilling. Yet according to meetings with Statoil, there will be no jobs for the north and any servicing would happen out of Taranaki (1).

Māori organizations call on the Government to Honour the Crown guarantees made to Te Rarawa under Te Tiriti; and comply with its international obligations under such instruments as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007 (endorsed by the Government in 2010). More particularly, "they seek a more meaningful dialogue with the Crown regarding implementation of its obligations to Māori concerning the protection of our moana and associated taonga.”

They state that "in the petroleum context, Te Rarawa maintains our preexisting responsibilities and rights, affirmed by Te Tiriti, to exercise our customary authority over our lands, territories and associated resources." Impacts they highlight include those to their cultural resources and historical fishing routes, the environmental impact on sealife and the need to leave oil under the soil (and sea) to prevent global warming. (2) The issue can be traced back to 1840 when the British crown entered into a treaty (Te Tiriti O Waitangi) offering sovereignty to Māori people, they have used the english translation and assumed 'governorship', which was a made-up word. No Māori ever would give up sovereignty, least likely chiefs, unless coerced to sign (which indeed happened).

In 2004, after decades of protest against land theft and confiscation (raupatu), the government turned its sights on the foreshore and seabed. A new law was pushed through parliament called the Foreshore & Seabed Act which saw the largest land grab/theft in the history of Aotearoa. The crown assumed ownership of the entire EEZ (the largest in the country). 50,000 people marched against the bill, politicians crossed the floor and denounced their parties, started the new Māori Party, and still the bill passed. It was obvious the crown had plans to sell off and profit from the foreshore and seabed, and Māori and non-Māori are still fighting today for justice, Tino Rangatiratanga (sovereignty), and for the crown to HONOUR THE TREATY.