New Zealand First has announced a new mining policy that would see half of all royalties from resource extraction returned directly to the regions where mining takes place, rather than being retained by central government in Wellington.
The proposal forms part of a broader package aimed at expanding the mining sector, boosting regional economies, and simplifying regulatory processes. The party says the move is designed to ensure local communities benefit more directly from mining activity, with funds earmarked for infrastructure, services, and long-term development.
Under the policy, revenue generated from mining would be reinvested into regional priorities such as water services, flood protection, transport upgrades, energy projects, tourism, and housing in high-growth areas linked to the minerals sector.
The party argues mining is a highly productive industry that contributes billions of dollars to the economy, supports jobs, and drives growth without contributing significantly to inflation. It says New Zealand has untapped resource potential that could be better leveraged with clearer rules and stronger investment incentives.
The plan also includes streamlining what it describes as overly complex regulatory systems, with new designated mining zones and longer permit durations intended to provide greater certainty for investors. Changes would also limit the role of some government agencies, including the Department of Conservation, to focus on core responsibilities while allowing development to proceed.
Additional measures include funding for Mines Rescue services, investment in geological surveying and data analysis, and efforts to increase local processing of critical minerals rather than exporting raw materials offshore.
The policy also proposes reopening a School of Mines and expanding training programmes to rebuild the workforce needed for the sector, with a focus on creating high-paying jobs for New Zealanders.
New Zealand First says the package is aimed at balancing environmental protections with economic growth, positioning mining as a key driver of regional development and a central part of the country’s future economy.
If Seymour told the country what he knows about the Southerrn Basin & Canterbury Bight – he would be Prime Minister.
The yanks won’t let us drill there – and so we are gonna starve.
There is so much Oil in NZ – we have no problems except one….
The U.S.A. Greed.
So who is putting a gag on it?
Or do we need to elaborate?
There is more than enough Oil for NZ to become like the North Sea – ask the workers who went out on the test drills for the Canterbury Bight. It has been hushed up. The reports are all in https://geodata.nzpam.govt.nz/organization/nzpam
For Example here is one for Canterbury Basin: https://geodata.nzpam.govt.nz/report/pr3607
They give all sorts of excuses – but I have heard it is the Americans who have put pressure on to stop them drilling & extracting.
Sounds good in theory! The Greens will hate it but what have they ever done to our economy except try to f*** it up?
EFF OFF!
YOU have done enough dividing our People!
Godzone is for ALL who live here. YOU should feel so lucky!
Common sense thinking again 🥰🤗🥰
The good old ephemeral election “promise”.
So what are the mining capabilities in the Hawke’s Bay?
With the closure of frozen food processing and the loss of hundreds of jobs how will Hawkes bay benefit from this proposal?
There was a drilling expedition to Frasertown, near Wairoa several years ago. What came of it?
They needed 17ppg mud to stop HP water kicks and then blew the arse out of the hole and lost circulation when they got through the water zone.
You might be trying to dazzle us with your knowledge of the subject… BUT what does that mean in plain English?
What drilling opportunities does NZ have? Canterbury Bight? Southern Basin?
Why arn’t we drilling NOW?
Fifty percent of mining royalties to regions. To whom, exactly, in the regions? To Iwi? To Councils? Could you be more specific please. It looks to me as though royalties will be going to the Councils to pay for work we are already paying for through rates. Will rates go down?
If there is to be a School of Mining, does DEI apply? Will they have to learn Te Reo and Maori spirituality protocols because the land and water will be interfered with?
And what about the other 50% of the royalties?