Actors Lucy Lawless and Robyn Malcolm have launched Greenpeace's campaign against mining in national parks.
The Government plans to open up 3,000ha of previously protected land, for mining.
Ms Lawless and Ms Malcolm condemn coal mining as a Dark Ages practice that will threaten the tourist industry.
Ms Lawless launched the campaign at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, 50km southwest of the proposed mining sites. She asked tourists what they thought of coal mining in the Paparoa National Park – one said it would "ruin" New Zealand's legacy.