Resources Minister Shane Jones said a trip to Australia next week to meet mining sector operators and investors will signal that New Zealand is again open for business.
The visit is an opportunity for New Zealand to learn from Australian experiences and for Australian state and federal counterparts to strengthen their relationships with New Zealand, a mutually beneficial exchange.
“This Coalition Government is committed to utilising our mineral reserves to boost regional opportunities and jobs, increase our self-sufficiency, improve energy security and resilience, and drive our export-led focus on economic recovery,” said Jones.
“We have made significant progress, through the draft Minerals Strategy for New Zealand and an upcoming Amendment Bill to the Crown Minerals Act, to get the right direction and settings to unlock New Zealand’s natural resource opportunities. Creating a Critical Minerals List and stocktake of our resources are underway, but we also need to be proactive and visible to rebuild international investor confidence.”
He added that he would meet with current and potential mining operators and investors about New Zealand resources market opportunities. He is keen to hear industry perspectives on what they might consider barriers to entry.
“My message to Australia is that New Zealand is once again open for business to responsible operators that want to join us in realising the potential of our minerals and petroleum estate while enhancing prosperity for New Zealanders.”
In addition to engaging with the minerals and petroleum industries, Jones will meet federal, Victorian, and Western Australian government representatives.
