Auckland's pristine west coast beaches will be at risk if international companies take up the government's latest oil exploration offer, the Green Party says.

Energy Minister Simon Bridges announced yesterday vast areas of the Northland and South Canterbury basins were being opened up for oil and gas exploration as well as new onshore blocks in Taranaki.

He says the offer represents "a range of promising opportunities" for exploration companies and puts New Zealand on the international stage.

Prime Minister John Key says the government is looking for "significant expansion" and the industry could be a game changer for New Zealand.

Green's co-leader Metiria Turei says the upper west coast of the North Island is a postcard for New Zealand.

"It is where Kiwis go to swim, fish and holiday, there should be no risky deep sea drilling in these much-loved waters," she says.

"Pristine west coast beaches are at risk of an oil spill... even the industry admits there is no guarantee of safety with deep sea drilling."

Ms Turei says the government's "game changer" argument is rubbish.

"There is little evidence that there would be many jobs from these deep sea rigs and they put local economies at risk if there is a spill."

The offer covers 189,000sq km offshore and more than 1500sq km onshore including:

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Auckland beaches at risk - Greens