Maori, indigenous New Zealanders, use the country’s national day to protest against Norwegian petroleum company Statoil, which is currently carrying out seismic testing to search for deep sea oil off the country’s coast. Hundreds of New Zealanders took part in the protest march against Statoil on Waitangi Day, February 6, which marks the day Maori signed a controversial treaty of sovereignty with Britain 175 years ago. Maori have often used Waitangi Day to protest against the treatment and ownership of the land, sea, foreshore and seabed. This year the target was deep sea oil exploration, which the protesters say is environmentally and economically risky and could have serious impacts on marine mammals including the endangered native Maui’s dolphin.