Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is being told she must be clear about exactly what her plans are for oil and gas exploration.
The government is considering the annual block offer - where explorers compete for the right to search for oil and gas in New Zealand waters - and has confirmed one option is that no permits are offered at all.
Watch Jacinda Ardern speak to Kim Hill on Morning Report:
Ms Ardern yesterday accepted a Greenpeace petition signed by 45,000 people wanting an end to oil exploration, telling protestors she was "actively considering" the issue.
Asked about her comments later, she said she was referring to the assessment of block offers.
National Party leader Simon Bridges said he believed Prime Minister supports a careful transition to a lower carbon economy "rather than this false impression of actively considering the end of oil and gas".
Mr Bridges said the government was talking tough, but it was all just a publicity stunt.
