‘It’s who we are’: eco-nationalism and place in contesting deep-sea oil in Aotearoa New Zealand

Figures & data

Table 1. Summary of key narratives used by government and supporters presented in mainstream media.

Discourses	Representative example quote(s)	No. of items/total no.^1
Vital for economic development.	‘Oil and gas exploration could contribute significantly to our economy’. (Donnell & Cheng 2011)	149/351
Best practice will ensure environmental risks are minimised and managed. Emphasis on ‘balance and efficiency’.	‘The companies active in New Zealand already operate to the highest standards when it comes to safety and environmental protection and the regulatory regime is well on its way to matching that commitment’. (Dominion Post 2011)	116/351
Research to ascertain the extent of assets.	‘The immediate focus is on increasing exploration activity and on improving the knowledge of our petroleum basins’. (Kay 2011)	95/351
Oil and gas sector is currently under-developed.	‘For too long now we have not made the most of the wealth hidden in our hills, under the ground, and in our oceans. It is a priority of this Government to responsibly develop those resources’. (Kay 2011)	40/351

¹This column indicates the relative significance of the identified discourse. A total of 351 individual media items were identified and analysed using keyword searches through Index New Zealand.

Table 2. Summary of key discourses in response to debate about offshore oil drilling presented in mainstream media.

Discourses of closure	Representative example quote(s)	No of items/ total no.
Opponents are uninformed about the risks.	‘Leaders from New Zealand’s $2.8 billion oil and gas sector say the country needs better education about the value of the sector as a “vocal minority” continue to oppose the industry’. (McNicol 2013)	33/351
Protestors are interfering with legal activities and overstepping their democratic rights.	‘It was disappointing protesters had disrupted the research and Ms Parata urged them to take a calm and reasoned approach towards the company’s rights. “Democracy protects the right to protest but not the the extent of interfering with others’ rights,” she said’. (Otago Daily Times 2011)	21/351
Protesters at sea are a danger to themselves and others.	‘There’s always a risk of something going wrong if somebody walks into a safety zone—it’s like having an unauthorised person walking into a construction site’. (Theunissen 2013)	21/351
Greenies/hippies are hypocrites.	‘The ignorance of these oil protestors never ceases to amaze me. Yet another plot of these people holding plastic banners, wearing life jackets and inflatable rings all made out of the substance they’re protesting against’. (Godfrey 2014)	15/351
Public concern and opposition downplayed. The ‘silent majority’ support government decisions on this issue.	‘Key denied there was a large number of people in New Zealand worried about the safety of deep sea oil drilling’. (Stuff 2013) ‘Most New Zealanders back the Government’s plan to increase exploration for oil, gas and minerals, a Herald DigiPoll survey suggests’. (Bennett 2012)	8/351

Donnell H, Cheng D. 2011. Oil giant should be free to carry out seismic work—Key [Internet]. [cited 2014 Sept 23]. Available from: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10718560

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Dominion Post. 2011. Head to head: greenies v oil industry [Internet]. [cited 2015 Mar 3]. Available from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/5844714/Head-to-head-Greenies-v-oil-industry

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Kay M. 2011. Government’s energy strategy released mistakenly [Internet]. [cited 2014 Nov 4]. Available from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4843586/Governments-energy-strategy-released-mistakenly

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McNicol H. 2013. Oil search steps up as sector fights ‘misconceptions’ [Internet]. [cited 2015 Mar 4]. Available from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9182390/Oil-search-steps-up-as-sector-fights-misconceptions

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Otago Daily Times. 2011. Govt calls for calm after oil protest [Internet]. [cited 2015 Sept 22]. Available from: http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/155570/govt-calls-calm-after-oil-protest

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Theunissen M. 2013. Anadarko protest: small boat stays in exclusion zone [Internet]. [cited 2014 Feb 14]. Available from: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11162353

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Godfrey H. 2014. Letter: Anti-oil protesters are nimby naysayers [Internet]. [cited 2014 Oct 21]. Available from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/letters-to-the-editor/9652661/Letter-Anti-oil-protesters-are-nimby-naysayers

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Stuff. 2013. Government can handle oil protestors—Key [Internet]. [cited 2014 Jun 24]. Available from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9437337/Government-can-handle-oil-protesters-Key

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Bennett A. 2012. Poll backing for more mineral searches cheers Key [Internet]. New Zealand Herald. [cited 2014 Jul 17]. Available from: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10817498

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