Protecting the country's beaches is the aim of a campaign being launched by the Greens today.

The aim is to stop risky deep sea drilling and it's being supported by surfing champion Mischa Davis and rowing champ Rob Hamill.

A tender process for new permits to conduct exploratory deep sea drilling in waters off the west coast of Auckland kicks off this week.

Greens co-leader Metiria Turei wants people to sign up to what she's calling a Kiwi Bid, a petition that will be presented to the Government calling on it to protect the beaches, not exploit them.

"New Zealanders come out every year strongly in defense of their beaches from pollution and damage. And we love our beaches, they're part of our national identity.

"So we're asking people to again stand up for this heritage."

Ms Turei says you only need to see the damage caused by the Rena wreck to know why action is needed to stop the plans.

"Exploration wells are more dangerous than productive wells actually, because they don't know what the pressure is like, they don't know what they're digging into.

Excerpt from:

Campaign to protect NZ's beaches