New Zealand lifts the ban on oil and Gas Exploration imposed by Ardern

The New Zealand parliament passed legislation on Thursday to reopen New Zealand for offshore oil exploration. This lifted a ban placed by the former prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

The law allows companies to apply for permits as early as September, even if they are not located in Taranaki. This energy-rich region of the North Island is a rich source of petroleum.

Environmental groups have said that the decision to restart the exploration is a setback to the country's move to renewable energy.

Chloe Swarbrick, spokesperson for the Green Party Climate Party said: "This government continues to choose to undermine our resilience over a transition to green, clean energy."

In 2018, the centre left Labour government, led by Ardern, halted new offshore oil-and-gas exploration permits to combat climate change and reduce New Zealand’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Since taking power in late 2023 Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s conservative government has passed many measures that roll back Labour's progressive program, including repealing rebates on green cars and speeding up mining projects.

Shane Jones of the Resources Ministry, a supporter of the fossil fuel industry, claimed that Ardern’s ban on new investments in the oil and natural gas sectors had exacerbated the domestic energy shortages.

Jones stated that "this government is pragmatic in its view of the role natural gas will have in our energy mix over the next few decades and we've set out a path for greater energy security, backed up by our own reserves."

The bill was passed with 68 votes in favor and 54 against. Reporting by Christine Chen, Sydney; Editing and proofreading by Tom Hogue

(source: Reuters)