Half the royalties from any mine would stay in the region it came from rather than going to Wellington, earmarked for local infrastructure and services. Around that sits a wider mining package: new zones with clearer rules on where mining may happen, longer permits covering the full life of a mine, a reined-in role for DOC and other agencies, a modern geological survey of what is underground, and the reopening of the School of Mines.
Where mining happens in a region, 50 percent of the royalties would remain there to support local infrastructure, services and long-term development, backed by targeted regional investment to help those projects succeed. The document’s framing is that the benefits of mining should flow back to the communities the mining happens in rather than to Wellington.
The stated problem is duplication, delay and rules that the document says do not improve environmental outcomes but do stop investment and cost jobs. New mining zones would set clearer rules about where mining can occur, recognising regions where it is already a key part of the economy.
Permit duration would be changed to reflect that mining is a long-term business, with permits covering the full life of a mine including rehabilitation. The argument is investor certainty: more confidence, more investment.
The package would limit the role of government agencies including the Department of Conservation, on the basis that they should stay focused on core priorities and that regional prosperity should not be sidelined by processes the document says have lost all sense of proportion.
A modern geological survey, plus investment in advanced core-scanning technology to unlock existing data. The document’s case is that New Zealand does not currently have a modern understanding of what lies underground while other countries do.
The concern raised is that New Zealand risks exporting critical minerals raw and letting others capture the value. The response is continued investment in science and innovation, and rebuilding the sector workforce — including reopening the School of Mines so New Zealanders can take the high-paying jobs.
“If mining happens in a region, a 50% share of the royalties will stay in that region, supporting local infrastructure, services, and long-term development.”
“You can protect the environment and grow the economy at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive.”
“Right now, we don’t even have a modern understanding of what we’ve got beneath our feet.”
“At the moment, we risk being stuck in a ‘dig and ship’ model for key future industries, sending our resources offshore and letting others make the real money.”
Points the document defers or leaves undefined. These are gaps in the document, not criticisms of the policy.
Which party holds a published position on which topic.
Swipe across to see all 11 topics — the party column stays put.
| Party | Economy | Housing | Health | Education | Climate | Environment | Crime & Justice | Treaty & Māori Affairs | Immigration | Foreign Policy | Democracy & Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National |
| ∅ |
| Labour | ∅ | ∅ | ∅ | ∅ | ∅ | ∅ |
| Green |
| ACT |
| NZ First |
| Te Pāti Māori |
| TOP |
| Also contesting, without seats in Parliament | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Rights | |||||||||||
| Animal Justice | |||||||||||
| ALCP | |||||||||||
| Conservative | |||||||||||
| Outdoors & Freedom | |||||||||||
| Vision NZ | |||||||||||
| Alliance | |||||||||||
| Free Palestine | |||||||||||
| NZ Loyal | ∅ | ||||||||||
| Te Tai Tokerau | ∅ | ||||||||||