Most New Zealanders back the Government’s plan to increase exploration for oil, gas and minerals, a Herald-DigiPoll survey suggests…

It has also been welcomed by Labour list MP Shane Jones, who sees mining as the best bet to stem the flow of Northland Maori leaving for better prospects in Australia.

27% supported the Government’s aim to increase oil gas and mineral exploration
40% (almost ) cautiously supported it.
30% strongly strongly opposed or leaned towards opposing increased exploration.

Mr Jones said the result was a rebuttal for those opposed to mining in his Northland home region.

“We in Maoridom must not buy uncritically into the hostile rhetoric from the Greenies.

“It’s about time they showed as much concern for the brown Kiwis disappearing to Aussie as for the habitat of the brown spotted kiwi.”

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/215776/key-buoyed-backing-more-mineral-searches

A big quandary, industry and jobs versus conservation. This balance will be challenging for a Labour/Green government to manage.