Source: Radio New Zealand
Winston Peters has announced new NZ First plans to help expand mining earnings in New Zealand, to curb the Department of Conservation, and to invest in the regions (file photo). RNZ/Paris Ibell
New Zealand First says ahead of expansions in the mining industry it wants more efficient approvals, to rein in the Department of Conservation, and to return half of mining royalties to local communities as targeted investment.
Leader Winston Peters has been campaigning in Westport on Sunday, and says the party’s policy restores common sense, paves the way for new mining zones and longer-term permits and will ensure funds go to the regions the mining takes place in, and “not Wellington”.
Peters also announced former Buller mayor Jamie Cleine as the party’s candidate for the West Coast-Tasman electorate, in the November general election.
“New Zealand’s mining industry is burgeoning, and we need to get ahead of its expansion to ensure we are building up our regions’ wealth, infrastructure, and future potential,” a policy statement from Peters’ office said.
“Mining is one of our most productive sectors. It contributes billions to our economy, supports thousands of jobs, and drives real growth without fuelling inflation.”
Stockton coal mine, north of Westport, is one of New Zealand’s largest mines, and the largest that is opencast (file photo). Supplied/ Bathurst Resources
New mining rules to ‘further unlock New Zealand’s resource potential’
The current approval system for mining was overly complex and inefficient, with “rules that don’t improve environmental outcomes but do a very good job of stopping investment and costing jobs”. We will put a stop to that,” NZ First said.
If elected it would work on making mining approvals more efficient, quicker and simpler. This meant changes to where mining can occur, issuing longer-term mining permits, and changes to rules about geological surveying technologies.
“The policy package will also rein in the role of government agencies, including the Department of Conservation,” it said.
This would be achieved through changes to the Conservation and Wildlife Acts. It would curb DOC’s ability to intervene by prioritising protection for areas of high conservation only, ensuring protection for “genuinely endangered species”.
DOC would instead “need to stay focused on their core priorities”.
“Regional prosperity cannot continue to be sidelined by processes that have lost all sense of proportion. Mining in the right places, with the right rules, will give businesses the confidence to invest for the long term and continue creating jobs in regions that rely on mining.
“And to complement this, the duration of mining permits needs to reflect the maturity of the sector. We will do that by providing longer permits that creates more certainty. More confidence. And more investment.
“The length of permits need to reflect that mining is a long-term business, giving investors certainty and ensuring permits cover the full life of the mine, including rehabilitation.”
Targeted investment in the regions
Half of the funds from mining royalties would go to local services and long term development in the region the mining was being done in. And sunk into things like water services, flood protection, energy generation, tourism and transport, to “enable housing development in areas of high minerals industry growth, and critical infrastructure projects,” the party statement said.
“We will back that up with targeted, regional investment to allow these projects to succeed.”
It would also ensure mines rescue capabilities are “properly funded”.
“The New Zealand First mining policy package is ultimately about creating growth and opportunity for everyday Kiwis and building on major policies we’ve already announced like Fast-track.”
Better understanding of New Zealand’s untapped mining potential
One of the first moves would be to commission a thorough geological survey.
“Right now, we don’t even have a modern understanding of what we’ve got beneath our feet. Other countries do and that’s simply not good enough,” the party said.
“So we will deliver a modern geological survey and unlock existing data through investment in advanced core-scanning technology. Because if you don’t know what you have, you can’t make smart decisions about unlocking its full potential.”
Opportunities would be sought to add value here before shipping offshore.
“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.”
So there would be more focused investment in science and innovation to support the sector, as well as upskilling New Zealanders to take advantage of high paying mining jobs, by opening a new School of Mines.
Mining was “a vital part of [the West Coast] region’s economy, and a key part of New Zealand’s future,” the party said.
“You can protect the environment and grow the economy at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive,” it said.
“New Zealand First’s mining plan will help to further unlock New Zealand’s resource potential.”
“The policy package recognises the vital role mining plays in New Zealand’s economy and regional communities.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
