Police continue to monitor flotilla protest fleet

Police are continuing to monitor the oil exploration flotilla protest off the East Cape to ensure that the safety and lawful rights to protest and conduct business for all parties are respected.

Superintendent Barry Taylor, Operations Group, Police National Headquarters, said several police officers are on board the HMNZS Pukaki which is assisting police in the on-going monitoring role.

“We asked for Defence assistance purely because the distance is such that it is beyond our own maritime units’ capability. The Royal New Zealand Navy is simply providing transport assistance for us.”

Police have been in contact with Greenpeace at various times since the protest was announced late last month, and will continue to do so. “All parties have been assured by us that safety and the lawful right to protest and to conduct the lawfully permitted survey work is paramount.”

Police will continue to talk with Greenpeace and hope, in consultation with the Ocean Explorer master, to identify a safe protest zone. This would enable the protest flotilla to maintain their presence, without impeding the Petrobras right to continue its seismic survey.

“Our legal advice is that we can take action under New Zealand law, including Maritime Law, should circumstances require us to do so,” Superintendent Taylor said. “Our priority is however on ensuring that protests are conducted in a safe and responsible way, and that the exploration company can also conduct its lawful business without interruption.”