Ardern urged to clarify oil, gas plans

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is being told she must be honest about exactly what her plans are for oil and gas exploration. On Monday, in a surprise move, she personally accepted a Greenpeace petition demanding an end to oil exploration. Standing in front of a protest sign asking if 2018 was the year the oil and gas exploration would end, Ardern told protestors she was "actively considering" the issue. She asked the crowd to give the government a bit more time in making the decision. The National Party leader, Simon Bridges, says the Prime Minister should be honest about exactly what her plans are for the industry. The Petroleum Exploration and Production Association New Zealand says exploration needs to continue. Its executive director Cameron Madgwick wants direct talks with the government, given the number of jobs at stake and the impact on the entire country, he says.