WELLINGTON: The government has kicked off a consultation process for proposed onshore and offshore exploration areas to be included in Block Offer 2016, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges said Thursday.
Consultation will be undertaken with local Maori tribes and government authorities in four proposed offshore areas and one proposed onshore area, covering a total area of around 537,000 square kilometres. National parks, marine reserves and world heritage sites are excluded.
“Successive block offers have shown that operators are looking for long-term opportunities in a mix of mature and frontier acreage, which New Zealand has to offer. We will continue to seek investment from experienced and capable operators,” said Mr. Bridges.
The consultation period for Block Offer 2016 runs until Oct. 30. The final tender areas will be announced in March next year
Bids for this year’s tender Block Offer 2015, close Sept. 30 and the government plans to grant permits in December. Since 2012 the government has granted 35 exploration permits throughout New Zealand.
