Minerals play an essential role in New Zealand’s economic growth through creation of high-paying jobs, delivering funding for the Crown through royalties, and has direct positive impact in the regions where mining takes place, and for New Zealand through export revenues. Minerals are also critical inputs into products that are necessary for other sectors to thrive, including the use of aggregates in construction and infrastructure and development of renewable energy infrastructure for a clean energy transition.

Despite this key function, the minerals sector is facing major challenges. These include lack of complete understanding about the minerals ecosystem, supply chain risks, and a regulatory system that needs to be improved to enable investment.

Developing a minerals strategy is a fundamental first step in ensuring that New Zealand has a strategic framework for resource production so that development and economic growth off the back of their minerals happens in a responsible manner.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is seeking stakeholder feedback on this draft strategy.

This consultation process closes 31 July 2024.