While National has paved the way for hugely increased fines against protesters at sea, the Green Party is rallying support for thousands to sign up to a new ''Kiwi Bid'' campaign to counter the tender process, highlighting the dangers of deepwater drilling.
Since 2002, the Government has held 15 block offers, where oil companies tender for exploration rights, with the 2013 block offer encompassing 189,000sq km offshore and more than 1500sq km onshore.
During the weekend, National forced through three Bills introduced during the Budget, including the Crown Minerals Amendment Act which increases fines for protesters at sea who get in the way of seismic vessels or oil rigs.
In response, on Sunday the Green Party launched its ''Kiwi Bid'' campaign to protect New Zealand's waters, ''rather than allow corporations to conduct risky deep-sea drilling'', Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said in a statement.
''There is no guarantee of safety with deep-sea drilling, so we shouldn't be doing it,'' Ms Turei said.
By submitting with the Kiwi Bid, the Government would be given a clear choice, she said.
''Pursue risky deep-sea oil drilling that profits the oil companies, or accept the bid from thousands of Kiwis who love our beaches and pristine ocean and want to protect them,'' Ms Turei said.
The successful oil company tenderers in the 2013 offer will have the protection of new Crown Minerals Amendment Act, which comes into force on May 24.
Mining sector lobby group Straterra rounded on the Green Party's Kiwi Bid yesterday, saying it would fail because proposals were judged on whether bidders could explore and extract resources responsibly.
Oil and gas and minerals companies spend millions of dollars in regulatory costs ''developing robust, high-quality proposals for regulators' consideration in New Zealand'', Straterra senior policy analyst Bernie Napp said in a statement.
Exploration and mining operators were cutting-edge, high-tech sectors demanding expertise in everything from business management, finance, economics, engineering, geology, chemistry, planning and law, to environmental management and more, Mr Napp said.
''Either New Zealand has to produce resources or import them, directly or indirectly, as a component of the manufacture of imported products. Even wind turbines, hydro dams, cars and bicycles are made from minerals, and oil and gas,'' he said.
When announcing the 2013 block offer in late April, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges said the offer presented ''a range of promising opportunities for investors and operators''.
''The New Zealand Government is committed to long-term responsible and safe management of our resources. This will create jobs, boost incomes and provide a solid investment for future generations of New Zealanders,'' Mr Bridges said in a statement.
Ms Turei countered that the Government was putting oil companies' economic interests before New Zealanders' environmental values.
''If there is a leak from a deep-sea oil rig there is no easy way to stop it. The consequence for New Zealand's environment, economy and reputation would be catastrophic,'' she said.
Oil and gas
Oil and gas 2013 exploration block offer, opens May 24.
• Three defined onshore Taranaki blocks.
• Two defined onshore blocks, North Island's East Coast.
• Three offshore blocks, the Reinga and Northland Basins, Taranaki Basin and combined Great South Basin and Canterbury Basin.
