First application for an offshore oil and gas exploration permit has been lodged since the repeal of the 2018 ban on offshore drilling in New Zealand.

The permit, sought by an Australian firm registered two months ago, would cover 546 square kilometres off the coast of South Taranaki and be the third largest petroleum drilling zone if granted.

Under the new process for granting permits established by the August amendments to the Crown Minerals Act, applicants can specify a zone they are interested in mining in. That then launches a three-month open market window in which other companies can apply for permits that cover some or all of the same area.

Full article available here > https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/21/first-offshore-oil-and-gas-permit-sought-after-repeal-of-ban/