New Zealand’s ruling Labour Party has banned all new oil and gas exploration permits in the country.
This was announced by New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, who said that the changes would be phased in and that all existing permits would be honoured.
The decision was welcomed by environmental activist group Greenpeace, which has campaigned for seven years to end offshore oil and gas exploration in the country – most recently with campaigns against the Amazon Warrior seismic vessel in its exploration program for Statoil, Chevron and OMV off the Wairarapa Coast.
Greenpeace had sailed 60 miles out to sea to confront the vessel in a crowd funded boat.
The New Zealand government, however, has apparently stated that it will continue to invite bids for onshore exploration in the Taranaki region.
