Navy intervention in oil protest "disgusting" - Maori MPs

Maori MPs have condemned naval help with police intervention against Petrobras protestors off the East Cape, calling it "bloody disgusting" and similar to Libyan tactics.

The Orient Explorer, owned by Brazilian state-owned oil company Petrobras, is carrying out Government-sanctioned seismic testing in the Raukumara Basin and at the weekend was the target of protest -- swimmers from a Greenpeace protest flotilla forced the ship off course.

Police this afternoon visited the protest fleet in navy rigid-hull inflatable boats and served notices under the Maritime Transport Act that they should stay at least 200m away from the ship or face a fine of up to $10,000 or 12 months in prison.

The Maori Party condemned the presence of the navy and reiterated its disappointed that two East Coast iwi, Te Whanau A Apanui and Ngati Porou, were left out of the Petrobras permit consultation process in June last year.

But Acting Minister of Energy and Resources Hekia Parata said "that was simply untrue" as iwi were invited to contribute to the process.

Independent MP Hone Harawira said it was "bloody disgusting" police were now mobilising the Royal New Zealand Navy.

He compared the action to Bastion Point and Parihaka -- two historic movements in Maori activism.

"What's happening there is exactly the same, it's the Crown moving against Maori for daring to defend their rights.

"This is a major historical event."

Maori Party MP for Waiariki, Te Ururoa Flavell, said sending the navy was similar to Libya using the military against its own people.

"It is totally over the for the Government to be using Navy resources in this way."

He said the Government must put the permit on hold until consultation with iwi has taken place.

Petrobras held one meeting last weekend, but he said it was not enough.

Police earlier defended the use of the naval inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Pukaki to monitor the protests, saying their own boats could not operate so far out. The priority was to ensure the protests were conducted safely without interrupting Petrobras' right to conduct testing.

Petrobras asset manager Marco Toledo told reporters in Wellington today the company had met East Cape iwi Te Whanau a Apanui and would continue to engage with it.

"They haven't given us the permission to drill, but they give us the opportunity to be friends," Mr Toledo said.

He denied claims the company was ignoring Maori.

The Orient Explorer had collected some data but was now in "standby" and would resume testing when it was safe to do so.

The research phase would take three and a half years and the protest would not disrupt the long-term plan.

Prime Minister John Key said he had not taken advice on whether it was illegal to sabotage New Zealand's economic interests.

"What I can say is, quite clearly, we are a Government that believes there are opportunities in the oil and gas exploration field."

Labour leader Phil Goff said there needed to be better consultation with local people, and the Government needed to give more reassurance about oil and gas exploration.