Crown Minerals (Minerals Other than Petroleum) Amendment Regulations 2025
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2025/185
Crown Minerals (Minerals Other than Petroleum) Amendment Regulations 2025
Cindy Kiro, Governor-General
Order in Council
At Wellington this 25th day of August 2025
Present:
The Right Hon Christopher Luxon presiding in Council
These regulations are made under section 105(1) of the Crown Minerals Act 1991 on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council.
Contents
Regulations
1 Title
These regulations are the Crown Minerals (Minerals Other than Petroleum) Amendment Regulations 2025.
2 Commencement
These regulations come into force on 25 September 2025.
3 Principal regulations
These regulations amend the Crown Minerals (Minerals Other than Petroleum) Regulations 2007.
4 Regulation 3 amended (Interpretation)
(1)
In regulation 3(1), revoke the definition of Minister.
(2)
In regulation 3(1), insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:
Tier 3 permit has the same meaning as in section 2B(2A) of the Act
5 Regulation 18 amended (Application for mining permit (unless allocated by public tender or for special purpose mining activity))
(1)
In regulation 18(2)(b), after “Schedule 2”
, insert “(if the application is for a Tier 1 permit or a Tier 2 permit)”
.
(2)
After regulation 18(2)(b), insert:
(c)
the information described in Part 4 of Schedule 2 (if the application is for a Tier 3 permit).
6 Regulation 23 amended (Application to extend land to which mining permit relates)
(1)
In regulation 23(2)(b), after “Schedule 3”
, insert “(if the application is for a Tier 1 permit or a Tier 2 permit)”
.
(2)
After regulation 23(2)(b), insert:
(c)
the information described in Part 4A of Schedule 3 (if the application is for a Tier 3 permit).
7 Regulation 25 amended (Application to extend duration of mining permit)
(1)
In regulation 25(2)(b), after “Schedule 3”
, insert “(if the application is for a Tier 1 permit or a Tier 2 permit)”
.
(2)
After regulation 25(2)(b), insert:
(c)
the information described in Part 6A of Schedule 3 (if the application is for a Tier 3 permit).
8 Regulation 28 amended (Application and notices to transfer, deal with, etc, permits)
(1)
Replace regulation 28(1)(b) with:
(b)
a notice of change of control of a permit participant under section 41AG of the Act:
(ba)
a notice of change of control of a guarantor under section 41A of the Act:
(2)
In regulation 28(3)(b), after “section 41,”
, insert “41AG,”
.
9 Regulation 33 amended (Permit holder must supply chief executive with reports and records on prospecting, exploration, and mining activities)
(1)
In regulation 33(1), after “holder”
, insert “(except a Tier 3 permit holder)”
.
(2)
After regulation 33(5), insert:
(6)
A Tier 3 permit holder must comply with a notice given under subclause (7).
(7)
The chief executive may, not later than 20 working days after the commencement of a permit year, give a Tier 3 permit holder notice—
(a)
that the permit holder must supply to the chief executive the reports, records, or information specified in the notice (which must be reports, records, or information referred to in subclauses (1) to (5)); and
(b)
of the reasons why the chief executive wants to have the reports, records, or information; and
(c)
of the date by which the reports, records, or information must be supplied to the chief executive, which must be at least 40 working days after the date that the notice is given.
10 Regulation 35 amended (Annual summary report on prospecting and exploration activities)
After regulation 35(4), insert:
(5)
This regulation does not apply to a Tier 3 permit.
11 Regulation 37 amended (Annual report on expenditure on prospecting and exploration activities)
After regulation 37(3), insert:
(4)
This regulation does not apply to a Tier 3 permit.
12 New regulation 39A inserted (Annual report on mining activities under Tier 3 permits)
After regulation 39, insert:
39A Annual report on mining activities under Tier 3 permits
(1)
The holder of a Tier 3 permit must supply to the chief executive, not later than 31 March following the end of each calendar year, a report on the following matters in relation to that calendar year:
(a)
whether mining activities have been confined to the permit area; and
(b)
the number of days on which mining activities took place; and
(c)
the amount of gold recovered under the permit.
(2)
The report must be in the form prescribed by the chief executive.
13 Regulation 40 amended (Reports and other documents on expiry or surrender of permit)
(1)
In regulation 40(1), after “a permit holder”
, insert “(except a Tier 3 permit holder)”
.
(2)
After regulation 40(4), insert:
(5)
A Tier 3 permit holder must comply with a notice given under subclause (6).
(6)
The chief executive may, not later than 20 working days after an event described in subclause (1)(a) or (b), give a Tier 3 permit holder notice—
(a)
that the permit holder must supply to the chief executive the data, reports, or other documents specified in the notice (which must be data, reports, or other documents referred to in subclause (2)(a)); and
(b)
of the reasons why the chief executive wants to have the data, reports, or other documents; and
(c)
of the date by which the data, reports, or other documents must be supplied to the chief executive, which must be at least 40 working days after the date that the notice is given.
14 Regulation 41 amended (Reports and other documents required on revocation of permit)
(1)
In regulation 41(1), after “holder”
, insert “(except a Tier 3 permit holder)”
.
(2)
After regulation 41(3), insert:
(4)
A Tier 3 permit holder must comply with a notice given under subclause (5).
(5)
The chief executive may, not later than 20 working days after revoking a Tier 3 permit, give the permit holder notice—
(a)
that the permit holder must supply to the chief executive the data, reports, or other documents specified in the notice (which must be data, reports, or other documents referred to in subclause (2)(a)); and
(b)
of the reasons why the chief executive wants to have the data, reports, or other documents; and
(c)
of the date by which the data, reports, or other documents must be supplied to the chief executive, which must be at least 40 working days after the date that the notice is given.
15 Regulation 42 amended (Reports and other documents required if permit area partially surrendered or relinquished)
In regulation 42(1), after “a permit holder”
, insert “(except a Tier 3 permit holder)”
.
16 New regulation 42A inserted (Reports or other documents required if Tier 3 permit area partially surrendered)
After regulation 42, insert:
42A Reports or other documents required if Tier 3 permit area partially surrendered
(1)
This regulation applies if the holder of a Tier 3 permit applies to surrender part of the permit under section 40(1) of the Act or as otherwise required by the conditions of the permit.
(2)
The permit holder must comply with a notice given under subclause (3).
(3)
The chief executive may, not later than 20 working days after the permit holder makes the application, give the permit holder notice—
(a)
that the permit holder must supply to the chief executive the reports or other documents specified in the notice (which must be reports or other documents referred to in regulation 42(2) and (4)); and
(b)
of the reasons why the chief executive wants to have the reports or other documents; and
(c)
of the date by which the reports or other documents must be supplied to the chief executive, which must be at least 40 working days after the date that the notice is given.
17 Schedule 2 amended
18 Schedule 3 amended
(1)
In Schedule 3, in the Part 4 heading, after “permit”
, insert “(Tier 1 or Tier 2)”
.
(2)
In Schedule 3, after Part 4, insert the Part 4A set out in Schedule 2 of these regulations.
(3)
In Schedule 3, in the Part 6 heading, after “permit”
, insert “(Tier 1 or Tier 2)”
.
(4)
In Schedule 3, after Part 6, insert the Part 6A set out in Schedule 2 of these regulations.
Schedule 1 New Part 4 inserted into Schedule 2
Part 4 Information to accompany mining permit application (Tier 3) under regulation 18
1
The particulars of the person who is responsible for the application.
2
A statement of the technical capability and the financial capability of the applicant, together with supporting evidence.
3
If the application is on behalf of 2 or more persons, an explanation of each person’s interest in the permit (including the percentage of the share of the permit that each person will hold).
4
If the application is on behalf of 2 or more persons, the proposed permit operator.
5
The area of land to which the application relates (in hectares).
6
A map of the permit area.
7
A statement outlining the basis for the applicant’s belief that gold is present in the permit area.
8
An estimate of the number of days per year the permit holder will conduct mining if the application is granted.
9
An estimate of the amount of gold that will be recovered each year.
10
A statement on any other matter the applicant considers relevant to support the application.
Schedule 2 New Parts 4A and 6A inserted into Schedule 3
Part 4A Information to accompany application under regulation 23 to extend land to which Tier 3 permit relates
1
The reference number of the permit concerned.
2
The particulars of the person who is responsible for the application.
3
The area of land to which the proposed extension would apply (in hectares).
4
The total permit area (in hectares) if the application is granted.
5
A map showing the land for which the proposed extension is sought in relation to the existing permit area.
6
A statement outlining the basis for the applicant’s belief that gold is present in the area of land to which the proposed extension would apply.
7
A statement on any other matter the applicant considers relevant to support the application.
Part 6A Information to accompany application under regulation 25 to extend duration of Tier 3 permit
1
The reference number of the permit concerned.
2
The particulars of the person who is responsible for the application.
3
A statement of the duration of the extension sought.
4
A statement outlining the basis for the applicant’s belief that gold continues to be present in the permit area.
5
An estimate of the number of days per year the permit holder will conduct mining if the application is granted.
6
An estimate of the amount of gold that will be recovered each year.
7
A statement of the reasons why, in the permit holder’s opinion, the Minister should extend the duration of the permit, including an explanation as to why the discovery to which the permit relates cannot be economically depleted before the current permit expires.
8
A statement on any other matter the applicant considers relevant to support the application.
Rachel Hayward,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations but is intended to indicate their general effect.
These regulations, which come into force on 25 September 2025, amend the Crown Minerals (Minerals Other than Petroleum) Regulations 2007 (the principal regulations). The amendments provide for the new Tier 3 permits introduced by the Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2025. Tier 3 permits are permits that authorise gold mining in a riverbed or beach, within a permit area not exceeding 50 hectares, and in accordance with the standard work programme set out in section 2BA of the Crown Minerals Act 1991 (which limits the range of equipment that may be used).
The amendments introduce new Part 4 of Schedule 2 (information to accompany applications for Tier 3 permits), new Part 4A of Schedule 3 (information to accompany applications to extend land to which Tier 3 permit relates), and new Part 6A of Schedule 3 (information to accompany applications to extend duration of Tier 3 permit).
The amendments also reduce the information that must be supplied to the chief executive in the event of the expiry, surrender, revocation, or relinquishment of a Tier 3 permit or part of a permit. The types of information involved are reports and records of activities, annual reports on prospecting and exploration activities and expenditure, annual reports on mining activities, and other reports and documents.
Date of notification in Gazette: 28 August 2025.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.
Versions
Crown Minerals (Minerals Other than Petroleum) Amendment Regulations 2025
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