Crown Minerals (Prohibition on Mining on Conservation Land) Amendment Bill
This bill would stop any new permits being issued for mining, drilling, or exploring for minerals on conservation land — places like national parks and reserves that make up about a third of New Zealand. People and companies who already hold permits would keep them, but no new ones could be applied for or approved. If a rare or protected animal is found on land covered by an existing permit, that permit must be handed back. Small activities like gold panning by hand and gathering minerals for Māori customary use would not be affected.
What this affects
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New mining, drilling, or mineral exploration would no longer be allowed on conservation land like national parks and reserves.
a person must not apply for a prospecting permit, an exploration permit, or a mining permit under this Act in respect of any land described in Schedule 4
The Minister must not grant a prospecting permit, an exploration permit, or a mining permit under this Act in respect of any land described in Schedule 4
This Bill prohibits new exploration, prospecting and mining activity on conservation lands and waters. This will better protect landscapes, natural features, indigenous plants and wildlife scientific, cultural and recreational values on public conservation land.
Progress through Parliament
Have your say
Submissions open once a bill reaches the select committee stage and the committee calls for them. In the meantime, you can write to your local MP about it.
Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.