The sector’s role in our economy is important, now and into the future

The production of our minerals resources currently benefits New Zealanders in a range of ways. The sector creates high paying jobs training and education opportunities, community investment, and momentum for local service businesses.

This helps to diversify regional economies – especially in areas that rely heavily on agriculture, dairy, forestry or fishing – making
them less vulnerable to external economic factors. The minerals sector can continue to yield these economic benefits to
New Zealand now and into the future as part of a holistic economic and resource ecosystem.

Around half of mining activity involves production of Crown-owned minerals where royalties are generated. This substantial revenue stream contributes to funding our roads, healthcare, and education.

Growth will be underpinned by scaling up our existing exports and by realising new mineral opportunities

Our existing exports are mainly gold and coal for steelmaking. These will remain relevant and the backbone of our sector,
but we also have the opportunity to unlock potential from our wide and varied mineral endowment. This includes
opportunities for extraction, alongside the production of minerals in other ways, such as through recycling efforts.

< The strategy at a glance | Why do we need a minerals strategy? >