A Northland mayor says we need to look to the future when it comes to energy generation

The National Party says the Government should explore ways to keep Marsden Point oil refinery in a state where it can be turned back on, in case international oil supply lines are impacted.

Shareholders have voted to turn the refining plant into an import-only terminal.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai says oil is a dying energy source and we need to look ahead.

She says ideally the refinery workers, who have technical skills, need to be employed to work with fuels of the future.