Groups opposed to deep-sea drilling off the coast of the North Island say they will be monitoring a marine seismic survey of the drilling area.
Protest groups and iwi gathered at Whangaparoa Bay in the eastern Bay of Plenty this weekend.
They were joined by crews from a flotilla of yachts that had sailed from Auckland at a hui to discuss future protest strategies.
The Government last year sold the rights to explore for oil in the Raukumara basin to Brazilian oil company Petrobras.
While the survey will take place some distance offshore, Ahi-Ka spokesperson Ani Pahuru-Huruwai says they will be watching.
