Straterra participates actively in public consultation process on policy, legislation and strategy, on behalf of, and in consultation with the NZ minerals sector. Click on the hypertext links to access Straterra's submissions. If you have any difficulties, please contact Straterra.
The Crown has the right and the responsiblity to regulate the transfer of rights to Crown-owned minerals to prospectors, explorers, and miners. The purpose of so doing is to maximise the benefit for NZ from the minerals industry. Forthcoming changes in tax legislation must take this into account.
Additional info: Facts and views on NZ mining
We uphold the purpose of the RMA - economic, environmental, social and cultural sustainability. We support the RMA reforms to simplify and streamline the regime with industry continuing to face high standards of environmental responsibility. We seek engagement on the developmernt of economic instruments for allocation of freshwater. We are proud to be a member of the Land And Water Forum, and of a government-appointed refernce group on freshwater.
Additional info: Green mining case studies
Businesses must be responsible in relation to health and safety, managing risks, environment and heritage, and in how we engage with others. NZ's developing legislative regime will help ensure this occurs. The minerals industry is engaging with government across a broad front.
Additional info: Exposing the myths
One-third of NZ's land area is public conservation land, where natural and historic resources are protected, and recreational opportunities encouraged. We accept that any development proposal on this land will face stricter criteria than on other land, noting that mining with surface expression is prohibited on 50% of this land. We are seeking rationalisation of three pieces of legislation covering environment and heritage approvals.
Additional info: More case studies
Businesses should be reponsible for GHG emissions arising as a result of their direct activities - within the context of the Emissions Trading Scheme. The ETS protects emissions-intensive, trade-exposed businesses who would otherwise face unfair competition from countries with little or no price on carbon. In the context of weak international action on climate change, NZ should not take a leading role on the global climate change response, although we should certainly be advocating in the UN for a stronger response.
Additional info: The case for fossil fuels
NZ has one of the largest marine jurisdictions of any country. NZ has potential for the environmentally-responsible development of rock phosphate, ironsands, and precious and base metals from the seafloor. New legislation and regulations due to enter into force in June 2013 will need to enable science, prospecting and exploration as permitted activities, subject to standard conditions; with mining proposals subject to public processes for approval, and if necessary, with adaptive management.
Additional info: More on oceans
Over the last two years the Government has carried out aeromagnetic surveys of minerals prospectivity in Northland and Westland. By knowing more about minerals distribution, NZ's prospectivity can be said to increase. We encourage these surveys to be extended to the remainder of NZ, including in areas where mining is currently prohibited. Armed with more knowledge, NZ's attractiveness for investment will increase.
More information: Bernie Napp, senior policy analyst, Straterra, 04 974 8671, 027 646 1000, bernie.napp@straterra.co.nz
As an industry body, Straterra has the interests of the NZ minerals sector front of mind when advancing or responding to policy initiatives. At the same time we seek to keep NZ's broader interests in mind. Our advocacy will only be successful if it is seen to benefit the economy and society, while being environmentally repsonsible, and attentive to health and safety.
Policy initiatives are often complex, and we do not hold all the knowledge and expertise in house to address them. Via our membership, we create groups of people who provide advice, and help shape Straterra's submissions and other advocacy. This includes legal, environmental, planning, accounting, business/financial, engineering, health and safety, and operational expertise.
The second limb of effective policy advocacy is to develop productive relationships with government, as appropriate. This includes membership of government-appointed advisory groups, informal relationship groups, participation in workshops and standing forums, and having a wide range of contacts throughout government, including Ministers and politicians and their staff.
Straterra's policy outputs include: submissions, appearances before Select Committees and council committees, verbal advice, and participation in the processes outlined above.
We believe good policy should reflect society's values; and be easy to understand, based on good information, fair and reasonable, transparent, and workable.