Tribal councils at Karitane and Otakou, respectively, Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki and Te Runanga o Otakou, have created the 36-page publication, which was launched at the Puketeraki Marae, Karitane.
The runanga (tribal councils) published the combined guidelines to deal with successive petroleum block offer processes in recent years in which oil and gas companies had bid for exploration licences within the Canterbury/Great South Basin area that crosses the territory of both councils.
The guideline sets out the conditions where runanga were likely to oppose oil and gas activities, and the conditions where runanga may deem activity possible.
Co-ordinator of a combined oil and gas working group for both councils Katharina Ruckstuhl said the document showed explorers ''we have a strong position on oil and gas exploration in our region''.
The councils were likely to oppose oil and gas activities if there were treasured, sacred or restricted places involved, or where treasured marine species could be affected or the community intended to protect an area, such as the Southeast Marine Protection area.
Over the past decade, the two runanga have had to respond to government, business and community group inquiries about their stance on oil and gas.
New Zealand Oil and Gas is one of several companies with permits off the Otago coast and its exploration and production vice-president Chris McKeown attended the launch.
He welcomed the publication, which he said could help exploration companies understand runanga values and priorities.
