New Zealand Reopens Oil and Gas Exploration With Open-Market Permits

Overview

• Companies can now apply to explore anywhere onshore or offshore, ending restrictions in place since the 2018 ban.
• An open‑market pathway lets firms lodge applications at any time, triggering a three‑month window for rival bids before officials select the strongest plan.
• The existing annual block offer tender continues, and the government has signalled details are still to come for a NZ$200 million co‑investment fund for new gas projects.
• Industry leaders welcomed the changes as a confidence boost and report interest from overseas explorers, though actual applications are yet to be seen.
• The Green Party condemned the move and pledged to reinstate the ban and revoke any new permits, and the package also introduces a streamlined permit for small‑scale gold mining.