Greenpeace has welcomed Auckland Council's new stance against further oil exploration off the North Island's west coast.
Photo: 123RF
The council used to conditionally supported exploration but at a meeting today it decided the risks outweighed the benefit, particularly in the case of the Māui dolphin, which is at risk of extinction.
Greenpeace's executive director, Russel Norman, said it was a significant move.
"Really the government needs to listen. The tide is turning on climate change, people want real action on climate change and it is absolutely ludicrous for the government to say they want to cut greenhouse emissions and do oil exploration at the same time."