Ruling right-wing coalition votes to reverse ban, a move it believes will alleviate energy shortages and high prices
New Zealand’s government has voted to resume oil and gas exploration despite an outcry from the opposition and environmental groups who argue the reversal will lay waste to the country’s climate credentials.
In 2018, the Jacinda Ardern-led Labour government banned the granting of new offshore oil and gas exploration permits as part of its plan to transition toward a carbon-neutral future.
Environmental groups hailed the ban as a milestone in the fight against climate change, and commended New Zealand for standing up to “one of the most powerful industries in the world”.
But on Thursday afternoon, the ruling right-wing coalition voted to reverse the ban after the third and final reading of the crown minerals amendment bill – a move it believes will alleviate energy shortages and high energy prices. The bill passed by 68 votes to 54.
