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More of New Zealand's conservation land will be explored for mining, despite a major backdown aimed at protecting New Zealand's most pristine areas.
Even though the high value Coromandel, Great Barrier Island and Paparoa Park are off the menu for mining, there are several other areas that could soon be on it.
The government is investing $4.5 million to fund aero-magnetic surveys in Northland, the West Coast and other parts of the South Island, land which it describes as 'low value'.
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said the areas targeted were considered to be "potentially prospective" and the survey would give a better picture of what minerals were where.
"We would expect there will be some information gathered that leads to a mining operation, how big that is, it's far too early to speculate," he said.
Prime Minister John Key said mining companies were realistic enough to know that Schedule Four land was only ever going to be a small part of the Government's plan to realise New Zealand's mineral potential.
"Big opportunities lie in other parts of the country ... potentially for iron-sands and certainly for oil and gas, said Key. "But there's also likely to be minerals on conservation land and other parts of New Zealand - and let's remember that's 85 percent of New Zealand."
He said he expected to see more mining permits granted. "It has to be done responsibly and with a care for the environment. We have to be cautious about that, but there were 82 issued under the previous government and I'd expect you'll see a decent number under us."
Labour leader Phil Goff confirmed many permits were granted on conservation land during his party's time in power, but only with stringent environmental protections in place.
"I doubt we would go as far as what National intends ... which seems to be a gung-ho approach on conservation land outside of Schedule Four."
Goff suggested New Zealanders should be wary.
"The government is trying to cover the fact that they've backed right off protected land in national parks, by saying they will do more on conservation land - but they haven't spelled it out."
Local authorities in Northland and the West Coast are keen on the economic potential that could follow on from mineral surveys in their regions, but Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is demanding the government consults with iwi over any mining surveys planned for Northland.
Hone Harawira says if the government wants a positive relationship with Maori in the region on its plans, then it should start by talking to them. He says if the conservation estate is to be exploited for mineral gain, then there's a chance Maori may try to reclaim those lands which were originally left off the table in settlement deals.
