Outcome 3: Resilient

Critical minerals are generally defined as mineral resources that are essential to the economy and whose supply may be disrupted. Critical minerals serve important functions. New Zealand relies on critical minerals as raw materials (such as phosphate for fertilisers) and within products (such as clean energy technology, microprocessors and medical products).

Currently, the extraction and processing of many minerals is concentrated in a limited number of countries. This high geographical concentration makes global critical minerals supply chains vulnerable to disruptions. New Zealand is exposed to international supply risks due to our reliance on some raw mineral and manufactured goods imports. But New Zealand can play a role in the domestic and international critical mineral economy, to increase resilience and contribute our fair share.

We will develop New Zealand’s critical minerals list. Once we have a critical minerals list we will then undertake actions to reduce the supply risk of those particular minerals.

The first action is to look at how we can better enable developments to boost supply. This will build New Zealand's self-resilience for some minerals and allow us to supply international markets for other minerals, becoming a producer as well as a recipient.

We will also build international partnerships to ensure resilient supply of those minerals we cannot produce here in New Zealand.

Our responsible regulatory systems can be a model for others. Working with partners in this way will also facilitate international trade, market entry and inward investment.

How will we know that we have met this outcome?

We’ll know that we have met this outcome when our actions reduce the supply risk ratings of our critical minerals.

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