Prohibition on Seabed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill (member's bill)
Issued by Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (Te Pāti Māori co-leader)
What happened
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has reintroduced her member's bill to permanently ban seabed mining in Aotearoa — closing all legal pathways including fast-track approvals across the coastal marine area, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf. The bill amends the Resource Management Act and Crown Minerals Act, retrospectively withdraws existing seabed mining consents, and prohibits future exploration rights. Currently awaiting first reading.
What's at stake
- Who feels it
- Coastal iwi and hapū; existing seabed-mining consent holders (notably TTR Trans-Tasman Resources); marine ecosystems and taonga species; mining and exploration industry
- Timing
- Currently a member's bill awaiting first reading — implementation requires passing all stages plus royal assent
- How it works
- Amends the Resource Management Act 1991 + the Crown Minerals Act 1991; retrospectively withdraws existing consents and bars future exploration
- Key context
- Most controversial provision is the retrospective withdrawal of existing consents — would face strong legal challenge. As a member's bill on a non-government issue, faces uphill path in current Parliament.
- Wider effects
- If passed, would end NZ's seabed-mining industry. Major implications for the Resource Management reform package (separately in tracker). Sets precedent on retrospective consent withdrawal.
Who feels it
publiclawyerscorporatessme
Source on record
https://www.maoriparty.org.nz/seabed_mining_banned_in_aotearoa_under_reintroduced_member_s_billTracked neutrally by LexNZ. Status reflects the primary source as of 27 May 2026. Not legal advice.
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