Anti fracking group in hurried protest

Anti-fracking protesters were yesterday unsuccessful in handing John Key a protest letter as he left the National Party's Lower North Island Conference in Napier.

A group of about 20 Frack-free Hawke's Bay protesters gathered outside the Napier Sailing Club just after midday following the Prime Minister's address.

Protester Pauline Doyle said the group heard Mr Key was to make his address only that day, so were unable to get "bigger numbers" to the protest.

"This isn't about politics," Mrs Doyle said. "It's not a Left or Right issue, it's a right and wrong issue."

A member of the public, who had just attended Mr Key's address, approached the group and suggested all protesters should exclude themselves from any revenue fracking may add to their future pensions. "Then we'll see where your integrity is."

Mrs Doyle, who described the protest as a "silent vigil", was unsuccessful in her attempt to hand the PM a letter as his car left the club.