On July 29, 2026, the New Zealand government granted the first offshore petroleum exploration permit since the repeal of the 2018 ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration. The permit was awarded to EnZed Energy for a site in the Canterbury Basin, off the east coast of the South Island.
Under the permit, EnZed Energy will undertake a staged exploration programme, beginning with a study of existing seismic data and geological studies to better understand the prospect's potential. The company has not yet announced plans for drilling.
The permit was issued under the Crown Minerals Act, following the passage of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act in 2024, which repealed the 2018 ban. The government stated that the decision was based on energy security needs and economic considerations.
Environmental groups have criticized the move, arguing it contradicts New Zealand's climate commitments. The government maintains that any future drilling would be subject to strict environmental assessments.
