Warnings New Zealand may get left behind

The Government's warning New Zealand will get left behind if it doesn't seize economic opportunities.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce had delivered a speech to party members at National's annual conference in Auckland.

He says Asia's growth will be met with job creation, it's just a matter of where that'll happen.

"It's a geographic plight, right? We either make it happen here, or we wave goodbye and let it happen somewhere else, and frankly we've done too much of the waving goodbye and letting it happen somewhere else."

Meanwhile there's a concerted push is being made by the National Party in favour of the oil and gas industry.

Minister of Energy Phil Heatley's made a special point of promoting the industry's benefits.

He's hit out at safety criticisms made by opponents saying oil tankers have been going in and our of Marsden Point for decades with no problems.

"It's stunning when you think about it. Can I tell you their worst environmental incident last year was this - a can of paint fell off the wharf."

Mr Heatley's talked up the extra billions the country could earn if exploration was increased by 50 percent.

Hone Harawira's getting a swipe from the National Party for his opposition to oil and mineral exploration in Northland.

Mr Heatley says with one hand Mr Harawira is waving goodbye to his whanau as they head to work in similar industries in Australia.

"And he waves hello with his right hand to the other half of the whanau who are forced into the queues out of Work and Income New Zealand."

Mr Heatley says that's the attitude his party is fighting at the moment.

Photo: Steven Joyce (Getty Images)