This graphic shows the responsibilities of local and central government during the four stages of exploration and mining activities:

1. Assessment

This stage involves analysing existing data and gathering new data from samples and surveys. This stage can go on for two to four years. New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is involved (NZP&M) with prospecting permits while the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are involved with seismic surveying.

2. Exploration

Exploration stage can take up to five to ten years and involves further data analysis, surveys and exploration drilling. NZP&M is involved with exploration permits, regional council for resource consents (territorial sea), the EPA for marine consents (EEZ and Continental Shelf), Maritime New Zealand for oil spill contingency plan (including well control contingency plan), Worksafe New Zealand for SafetyCase, and the EPA and DOC for seismic surveying.

3. Production

This stage can take up to 40 years and involves production drilling, construction and operation of installations. NZP&M is involved with mining permits, regional council for resource consents (territorial sea), the EPA for marine consents (EEZ and Continental Shelf), Maritime New Zealand for oil spill contingency plan (including well control contingency plan), and Worksafe New Zealand for SafetyCase.

4. Decommissioning 

This final stage involves plugging wells and retiring installations. Resource consents (territorial sea) come through regional council, the EPA is involved with marine consents (EEZ and Continental Shelf) and Worksafe New Zealand for SafetyCase.

The time frames across these four stages are indicative only.