Dunedin North MP David Clark has presented his Invermay petition to parliament, with more than 12,000 signatures.

Dr Clark is the economic development spokesperson for the Labour Party, and he says he's overwhelmed by the level of support for the petition.

It asks the government to save the Invermay agricultural research campus near Dunedin, rather than shift staff north.

All up 12,450 signatures were added to the petition.

Supporters include farmers, business owners and Otago residents, as well as those throughout the country.

Dr Clark says the retention of Invermay in Otago is important for New Zealand's export earnings.