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Crown Minerals Act 1991

Summary of changes

These summaries explain recent changes to the law. They are generated by AI comparing versions of the legislation, so they might oversimplify, miss details, or get things wrong. Learn more about how we track these changes.

1 October 2025

  • A new definition of Tier 3 permit has been inserted into the Act
  • Tier 3 permits have been included in the list of permits required for minerals other than coal
  • The permit classification and rights for Tier 3 permits have been updated
  • Provisions relating to the duration and extension of Tier 3 permits have been amended
  • Regulations may now specify requirements for the work programme of Tier 3 permits
  • Savings and transitional provisions for Tier 3 permits have been introduced
  • The Minister's discretion to determine permit tier status has been clarified
  • The process for considering applications for Tier 1 or Tier 2 permits has been amended to exclude Tier 3 permits

Affected provisions

  1. 1: Savings and transitional provisions
    Savings and transitional provisions for Tier 3 permits have been introduced
  2. 2: Interpretation
    A new definition of Tier 3 permit has been inserted into the Act
  3. 2B: Meaning of Tier 1 permit, Tier 2 permit, and Tier 3 permit
    A new definition of Tier 3 permit has been inserted into the Act
  4. 2C: Determination of permit tier status
    The Minister's discretion to determine permit tier status has been clarified
  5. 2D: Consequences of change in status of permit
    The Minister's discretion to determine permit tier status has been clarified
  6. 8: Restrictions on prospecting or exploring for, or mining, Crown owned minerals
    Tier 3 permits have been included in the list of permits required for minerals other than coal
  7. 25: Grant of permit
    Tier 3 permits have been included in the list of permits required for minerals other than coal; The permit classification and rights for Tier 3 permits have been updated
  8. 29A: Process for considering application for Tier 1 or Tier 2 permit
    The process for considering applications for Tier 1 or Tier 2 permits has been amended to exclude Tier 3 permits
  9. 30: Rights to prospect, explore, mine
    The permit classification and rights for Tier 3 permits have been updated
  10. 35: Duration of permit
    Provisions relating to the duration and extension of Tier 3 permits have been amended
  11. 61: Access arrangements in respect of Crown land and land in common marine and coastal area
    Tier 3 permits have been included in the list of permits required for minerals other than coal
  12. 105: Regulations
    Regulations may now specify requirements for the work programme of Tier 3 permits

31 October 2025

  • Conditions for mining permit holders' rights have been updated to remove a reference to subsections
  • New areas with access restrictions have been added to Schedule 4, including high protection and seafloor protection areas

Affected provisions

  1. 4: Land to which access restrictions apply
    New areas with access restrictions have been added to Schedule 4, including high protection and seafloor protection areas
  2. 30: Rights to prospect, explore, mine
    Conditions for mining permit holders' rights have been updated to remove a reference to subsections

3 December 2025

  • The reference to the Treaty of Waitangi has been updated to include separate links for 'Treaty of Waitangi' and 'Te Tiriti o Waitangi'
  • Exceptions for granting exploration or mining permits for privately owned minerals have been updated to include provisions under the Ngāti Pāoa Claims Settlement Act 2025
  • The Minister's discretion to grant exploration or mining permits has been clarified to include exceptions for certain groups and owners, subject to specified conditions
  • Entry on land for minimum impact activity is now subject to additional provisions, including updated notice and consent requirements

Affected provisions

  1. 4: Treaty of Waitangi
    The reference to the Treaty of Waitangi has been updated to include separate links for 'Treaty of Waitangi' and 'Te Tiriti o Waitangi'
  2. 25: Grant of permit
    Exceptions for granting exploration or mining permits for privately owned minerals have been updated to include provisions under the Ngāti Pāoa Claims Settlement Act 2025
  3. 32: Right of permit holder to subsequent permits
    Exceptions for granting exploration or mining permits for privately owned minerals have been updated to include provisions under the Ngāti Pāoa Claims Settlement Act 2025; The Minister's discretion to grant exploration or mining permits has been clarified to include exceptions for certain groups and owners, subject to specified conditions
  4. 49: Entry on land for minimum impact activity
    Entry on land for minimum impact activity is now subject to additional provisions, including updated notice and consent requirements