Oil and gas exploration reopened

The story so far

The government has reopened applications for oil and gas exploration permits nationwide, lifting a 2018 ban and introducing a faster approval process for firms.^{25 Sep 2025} Industry leaders welcomed the move, while the Green Party criticised it.^{25 Sep 2025} Hipkins dismissed the request as a political stunt and said he had only read the letter after it was made public.^{30 Sep 2025} An expert said the government's energy announcement is unlikely to ease power bills, and records show Labour had sought a bipartisan approach to gas supply 41 days before Luxon's plea.^{1 Oct 2025}

Latest

An expert says the government's energy announcement is unlikely to reduce power bills.^{1 Oct 2025} Records show Labour asked for a bipartisan approach to natural gas supply 41 days before the Prime Minister's plea.^{1 Oct 2025}

Key moments

1. 25 Sep 2025Government lifts 2018 ban, reopening oil and gas exploration permit applications nationwide
2. 25 Sep 2025Faster approval process introduced for oil and gas exploration firms
3. 30 Sep 2025Luxon asks Hipkins for ten-year offshore gas exploration commitment
4. 30 Sep 2025Hipkins calls the request a political stunt
5. 1 Oct 2025Expert doubts energy announcement will reduce power bills
6. 1 Oct 2025Records show Labour sought bipartisan gas approach 41 days earlier

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.