Minerals permitting data for 2025 shows growing momentum
Newly released permitting data shows a strengthening exploration and mining pipeline, with record levels of mineral permit applications received and outcome decisions made in 2025.
Minerals permits – applications in and outcomes decided
| Year | Applications received | Outcomes decided |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 374 | 454 |
| 2018 | 285 | 288 |
| 2019 | 289 | 265 |
| 2020 | 378 | 251 |
| 2021 | 399 | 364 |
| 2022 | 320 | 341 |
| 2023 | 296 | 287 |
| 2024 | 450 | 498 |
| 2025 | 551 | 521 |
Minerals permit approvals
In 2025, a total of 178 new permits were granted. Of the 178 new permits, 163 targeted gold and were a mix of permit type.
Types of approved new permit applications targeting gold
| Permit type | Number granted |
|---|---|
| Prospecting | 28 |
| Exploration | 73 |
| Mining | 62 |
| Total | 163 |
The significant majority of new permits targeting gold are located in the South Island – with the West Coast, Otago and Tasman regions taking out the top spots.
Location of approved new permit applications targeting gold
| Location | Number granted |
|---|---|
| Marlborough | 3 |
| Northland | 1 |
| Otago | 36 |
| Southland | 18 |
| Tasman | 25 |
| Waikato | 9 |
| Wellington | 3 |
| West Coast | 68 |
| Totals | 163 |
Managing the permit queue
New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals is committed to delivering timely, consistent, and transparent outcomes on permit applications. One of the most effective ways applicants can support timely decision making is by submitting high quality, complete applications that clearly address all regulatory requirements. This is a growing issue, with 61 applications being rejected outright in 2025 for failing to meet a basic standard.
To help ensure efficient processing, applicants should provide all required technical, financial, and operational information upfront and ensure that their application demonstrates a clear understanding of the relevant legislative and policy frameworks. Well prepared applications minimise the need for follow up queries, reduce processing time, and allow us to focus our assessment on the merits of the proposal.
We encourage all applicants to familiarise themselves with our guidance material, engage early if they need clarification, and invest the necessary time to develop a thorough, robust application. Quality applications enable us to progress assessments more quickly and support better outcomes for both applicants and the Crown on behalf of New Zealanders.