Release area map

Taranaki onshore release area

The Taranaki Onshore Release Area covers 2,451 km² of available acreage in onshore Taranaki.

Release areas do not include:

• Any land listed in Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act 1991 (including national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries)
• World Heritage sites
• Areas of importance to Māori identified in section 3.1 of the Petroleum Programme (such as Mount Taranaki and the Pouakai, Pukeiti and Kaitake Ranges)
• Parihaka Pā has also been excluded along with land that is being investigated by the New Plymouth District Council and Taranaki iwi regarding possible wāhi tapu sites.
• The November 2018 amendments to the CMA prohibit access to Taranaki conservation land, as part of the Block Offer process, except for minimum impact activities.

Please note that amendments to the Crown Minerals Act in November 2018 prohibit access to Taranaki conservation land, as part of the Block Offer process, except for minimum impact activities.

In most cases, the sensitivity of specific sites is dealt with after a petroleum exploration permit is granted. Protections in the regulatory framework include consents required under the Resource Management Act 1991.

More information

• Invitation for bids
• Consultation