The Government’s plans to double the value of mineral exports are under scrutiny as Resources Minister Shane Jones has been pressed about whether efforts to encourage mining will actually pay off for New Zealand.
Jones has previously described the Government’s plans as “aspirational” and a move to put mining “back in business”, receiving protests from environmental groups in response.
Speaking to Q+A, the senior NZ First minister admits the social licence of encouraging mining is an “ongoing debate”, but that he’s growing “tired” of opposition voices.
“Obviously, social licence is an ongoing debate,” he said.
“Despite my megaphone rhetoric, even I admit that.
“But I want people to realise that the size of the DOC estate is about eight million hectares out of 26 million hectares in New Zealand. We have about 1500 or 2000 hectares of the DOC estate currently under active mining. It’s akin to a beauty spot.”
The senior NZ First minister was questioned on Q+A with Jack Tame.
Jones continued in a follow-up answer about mining criticism, saying “I am tired of their voices”, and suggested: “It’s almost they’re fighting a war that’s no longer relevant.”
He said: “Geopolitical forces mean that we’ve got to boost our own resilience.
“People shoot me down for saying that because I’m talking about obscure minerals, but there’s also coal. We’re importing Indonesian coal, and pretty much we’re not allowed to dig here for our own purposes.
“Gold is a luxury good, but associated with gold mining is often the presence of antimony and other rare earth minerals.
“That’s what I’m trying to put in contrast to what are some strong penetrating voices.”
In the interview, the Resources Minister was challenged about the returns he expected from investment in the sector. Jones has previously fronted the coalition’s push to encourage mining, “aiming to double mineral exports value to $2 billion by 2035”.
Jones’s message to miners and environmental protesters was the country needs to make the most of its vast mineral resources.
The Government has touted its moves as helping grow national and regional prosperity while providing the minerals needed for new technology and the clean energy transition.
But Jones said the royalties associated with the mining of hard minerals were currently only around $30 million annually, but suggested GST and corporate taxes were also relevant to consider relating to mining’s export values.
Shane Jones on fast track bill, fisheries portfolio
Jones, who is the Regional Development Minister, was also pressed about the Government’s fast-track consent legislation, which has attracted protests against the coalition and criticism of potential ministerial overreach.
He responded: “I always accepted that politicians who can be voted out at the next election should be ensconced as the ultimate decision-makers so that we don’t have NIMBY-ism overwhelming the overarching interests of New Zealand’s economic future.”
The Fisheries Minister and NZ First MP was also challenged about his party’s previous stance on cameras for commercial fishing vessels.
Jones was pressed about data suggesting there has been under-reporting from boats.
Resources Minister Shane Jones is looking to redistribute the tax to redistribute it back to the regions.
He said after several rounds of questions: “We’ve gotta look to the future. We can’t saddle ourselves with apocryphal tales from the past.
“That’s not for the future. That’s not where New Zealand’s future lies.”
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
