Offshore oil & gas exploration ban

What happened

Banned new offshore petroleum exploration permits (announced April 2018; enacted via Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Act 2018). Existing permits continued; onshore Taranaki exploration still permitted.

Why it matters

Reduced risk of new offshore fossil lock-in and signalled transition away from new offshore oil & gas.

Impact assessment

Material permit restriction and signal; scope incomplete (onshore/existing fields continue).

Limitations: No immediate production cut; onshore Taranaki gap remains significant.

Attribution

shared (high confidence) -Labour, Greens

PM announcement; coalition agreement item with Greens; legislated later in 2018.

Coalition period: Labour-led coalition (with NZ First) (26 October 2017 - 16 October 2020)

Categories

Sources

• Beehive - no new offshore oil and gas exploration permits
• Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Act 2018