Oil and gas companies are racing to secure offshore exploration permits in New Zealand before the November election, amid concerns a new government could reinstate a ban on future offshore drilling.

New Zealand First will invest in surveying the country's offshore basins for oil and gas supplies to use domestically and export around the world, if elected.

Oil and gas companies are racing to secure offshore exploration permits in New Zealand before the November election, amid concerns a new government could reinstate a ban on future…