The New Zealand government has opened up a consultation process with local Maori tribes and sub-tribes on the proposed release areas for its 2019 blocks offer.
New Zealand's licensing rounds are restricted to the onshore Taranaki basin following the government’s decision in April 2018 to stop issuing new offshore exploration permits.
The proposed release areas for the 2019 round cover 2568 square kilometres, which is a larger area than was offered in the 2018 offer.
