Being cut from the Dunedin Santa Parade has caused ''monstrous'' disappointment among members of Oil Free Otago.
Spokesman Nathan Parker said the group had received verbal confirmation last month that its float of bicycles, penguins and albatross could be involved with the parade.
Earlier this week it was told the float had been cut.
Dunedin Santa Parade Trust chairman Mark Laughton said the trust had declined the application of Oil Free Otago because it wanted to keep the parade apolitical.
''It's about Christmas messages; it's not political,'' he said.
''They are not the only people who have been declined.''
Mr Parker said the group had agreed to not present political messages in its display.
The group had organised for penguin costumes to form part of its performance to entertain children.
''I'm a conservationist at heart. I love local flora and fauna and we just saw a beautiful opportunity to share the yellow-eyed penguins, Hector's dolphins and albatross and promote these things as iconic Dunedin images and promote cycling.''
Mr Laughton said the trust had made the decision to withdraw the group's float after deciding it would be inappropriate for a politically motivated group to be part of the parade.
''This is a Christmas parade for children of Dunedin. It's not a vehicle to get messages like that across,'' he said.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull had approached him over the concerns of the group, he said.
Mr Cull said he spoke to the organisers of the parade after Oil Free Otago had raised its concerns with him.
''I have talked to the organisers of the Sunday parade and my understanding is they don't accept politically motivated groups,'' he said.
''I accept that's their policy and I accept their ability to enact it.
