A strategy to support growth

It’s a plan to coalesce around

Minerals are essential for our way of life. They are the foundation for the technologies, infrastructure, and industries we use and rely on. From roads and houses to smartphones, batteries, medical equipment and renewable energy solutions, minerals are integral. They are essential inputs that enable innovation, manufacturing and economic growth, and support the sustainable development of societies.

However, we lack a clear guiding vision or plan to direct mineral development in New Zealand. By not defining our mineral future we put at risk security of supply of minerals needed to function and thrive, as well as our ability to derive economic benefit for New Zealanders. Developing a strategy allows us to determine our own minerals future, in a way that accounts for the domestic and geostrategic context and embeds Te Tiriti o Waitangi and responsible practices in its design.

This strategy will help groups think through the future of mineral development in New Zealand. It communicates the Government’s vision for the sector and the actions we will take to get there, which will give certainty to industry and the public.

Minerals production benefits New Zealanders

The production of minerals benefits New Zealanders in a range of ways. The sector supports individuals by providing high-paying jobs in the regions, with training and education opportunities. It supports community investments, community sponsorships, momentum for local service businesses, and regional infrastructure and housing. It also supports us nationally. Developments generate corporate taxes and GST, which in turn contribute to funding our roads, healthcare, and education services. Around half of mining involves the production of Crown-owned minerals where royalties are also generated and paid into the Government’s account.

Aggregate production is strategically important, and scaling up gold and coking coal will drive our export revenues

We have the potential to scale up production of existing minerals. Our quarries produce aggregates, industrial rocks and building stone, gravels, and sands throughout New Zealand. These are the building blocks for our infrastructure and housing needs. Gold mining is projected to continue to contribute significantly to New Zealand’s long-term earnings. Our high-grade metallurgical/coking coal will continue to be sought after for international steel making, and thermal coal also plays a role in keeping the lights on and businesses running.

New Zealand can contribute critical minerals for a clean energy transition

Minerals are critical inputs into products that are necessary for modern life, such as within rapidly growing clean energy technology - from wind turbines and electricity networks to electric vehicles. They are also contained within medical products and as inputs into our key sectors. While New Zealand utilises these products, our critical mineral contributions are limited. However, we have critical mineral potential and our first developments are coming online now. There is an opportunity for New Zealand to position itself as a reliable supplier of minerals to our partners. We can strengthen critical supply chains and leverage our relationships and international partnerships to drive economic benefits for New Zealanders.

New Zealand’s existing mineral production and potential

Industrial rock and building stone, aggregate, limestone, gravel, sand and clay are extracted around New Zealand.

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