# New Zealand petroleum permit issuance and energy security > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-zealand-petroleum-permit-issuance > Updated: 2026-09-06T22:07:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 5. Following the reversal of a 2018 offshore drilling ban, the New Zealand coalition government has begun issuing new petroleum permits to address declining domestic gas reserves and energy security. In late July 2026, the government awarded its first offshore exploration permit to EnZed Energy in the Taranaki Basin. By mid-August, Matahio NZ Onshore Limited received a 10-year permit for the Puka field. Industry activity in the Taranaki Basin is expanding, with Monumental Energy securing a 25% royalty agreement for drilling operations. The company is focusing on rehabilitating former drill sites to increase production, noting that domestic natural gas prices have reached up to 40 NZD per mcf, approximately five times higher than North American prices. Political debate regarding offshore exploration has intensified. Winston Peters, leader of the New Zealand First party, has proposed a one billion dollar investment into surveying offshore basins, arguing that ten of the eighteen known hydrocarbon basins have “world-class potential.” In response to concerns over deep-sea drilling, PEPANZ CEO David Robinson has called for a “mature conversation,” asserting that the industry operates under strict regulations to prevent environmental incidents. To further bolster domestic supply, the government has announced the first recipients of its $200 million Gas Security Fund. Todd Energy is set to receive up to $23.5 million in time-limited loans to support the McKee Gas Cap and McKee-Tariki Production Well projects in Taranaki. These initiatives aim to unlock up to 19.9 petajoules of additional gas reserves, with production potentially flowing by the end of 2027. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: New Zealand Government issues first Gas Security Fund loans New Zealand's Gas Security Fund has issued its first loans, providing up to $23.5 million to Todd Energy for two Taranaki gas projects aimed at boosting domestic supply by 2027. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/todd-energy-receives-first-loans-from-new-zealand-gas-security-fund ### 2026-08-22: New Zealand political debate intensifies over offshore oil and gas exploration New Zealand First has proposed a $1 billion investment in offshore oil and gas exploration to boost energy security, prompting industry calls for a mature debate on drilling safety and regulations. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-political-debate-intensifies-over-offshore-oil-and-gas-exploration ### 2026-08-19: New Zealand issues new oil and gas exploration licenses New Zealand is issuing new oil and gas exploration licenses. Monumental Energy is expanding in the Taranaki Basin, targeting high domestic gas prices through the rehabilitation of existing drill sites. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-issues-new-oil-and-gas-exploration-licenses ### 2026-08-13: New Zealand grants 10-year petroleum permit for Puka field Matahio NZ Onshore Limited has received a 10-year petroleum mining permit for the Puka field in Taranaki, aimed at boosting New Zealand's domestic gas supply and oil exports. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-grants-10-year-petroleum-permit-for-puka-field ### 2026-07-28: New Zealand grants first offshore oil and gas permit since ban lifted New Zealand granted Australian EnZed Energy a 12‑year offshore oil and gas exploration permit in the Taranaki Basin, the first since lifting the 2018 ban, as gas reserves fall and the government seeks energy‑s‑ 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-grants-first-offshore-petroleum-exploration-permit-to-enzed-energy --- Cite as: New Zealand petroleum permit issuance and energy security. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-zealand-petroleum-permit-issuance