New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is backing Te Whanau a Apanui's protest against oil exploration off the eastern Bay of Plenty coast.
A flotilla of boats, including one from Te Whanau a Apanui, is on its way to Cape Runaway to take a stand against the Brazilian oil giant Petrobras's plans.
Mr Peters told Waatea News New Zealanders have no confidence the Government has properly weighed the environmental and social risks.
"The key issue," he says, "is: have we been asked or consulted on this issue. And the answer is no. They just went ahead just like Gerry Brownlee tried to on the national parks."
Mr Peters says the royalty rates are so small that New Zealanders stand to make very little if Petrobras does discover oil.
