Greens' plan to tear up consents would wreck NZ’s reputation

The Greens have crossed a line by openly threatening to rip up consents that applicants have followed the law to obtain, says ACT Energy and Resources spokesman Simon Court.

“When Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens banned oil and gas exploration in 2018, they sent a clear message that New Zealand was a risky, politically volatile place to invest. Projects that relied on long term certainty were wiped out and investors took their money and jobs elsewhere.

“But even that Government stopped short of cancelling existing permits. Today the Greens have crossed a new line. The Greens say they’ll outlaw certain mines despite all necessary environmental permits being issued under a legislated fast-track process. They would target just a few mines to make examples of them, but the damage of their stunt would go far further than mining.

“The Greens’ message to potential investors in any sector would be: 'in New Zealand, a government permit isn't worth the paper it's written on'. This stance would plunge New Zealand back into international investor purgatory.

"The Greens either don't understand this, or they don't care. They are prepared to wreck New Zealand's reputation as a secure place to do business if it wins them votes.

“Mining is the physical foundation of every modern technology New Zealand relies on, and ACT backs Kiwi miners to get the minerals that fuel industry and energy. Instead, the Greens prefer dictators and despots to mine for us – because how else would the Greens get their cellphones, iPads and wind turbines without mining?

“ACT is reforming overseas investment and resource management to make New Zealand a secure place to invest, build, and employ. The Greens are campaigning on chaos, and they cannot be allowed anywhere near government.”