6. Oil and Gas Industry—Block Offer 2018 Huntly Power Station and Offshore Petroleum Exploration PermitsTAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Energy and ResourcesOil and Gas Industry—Block Offer 2018 Huntly Power Station and Offshore Petroleum Exploration Permits6. TAMATI COFFEY (Labour—Waiariki) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What announcement has she made about Block Offer 2018?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources): Today I announced the next step in the block offer process which is the mechanism for allocating new oil and gas exploration permits. This announcement signals the start of consultation with iwi and hapū and the local community on the proposed Block Offer 2018 released area for onshore petroleum exploration permits. The proposed released area is restricted to the onshore Taranaki Basin and covers a 1703 square kilometre area.Tamati Coffey: What other announcements has the Government made today?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Mr Speaker—SPEAKER: Order! That question is not related enough. That's one use of a supplementary; have another go.Tamati Coffey: What other announcement has the Minister made about her portfolio today?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: I have announced only the 2018 Block Offer but I have been supporting the Prime Minister in a further energy-related announcement that she has been making today where she announced that no new offshore petroleum exploration permits would be granted. This is a significant—SPEAKER: That's enough thank you.Tamati Coffey: What commitment has the Government made to existing permit holders?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: We have committed to protecting existing exploration and mining rights and the ability for discoveries to be developed. Let me be very clear: we are not preventing any existing permit holders from undertaking the exploration that their permits entitle them to. One of the main priorities is protecting the livelihoods of those who work in our extractive industries. I want to acknowledge New Zealand First on this and also acknowledge that this is a Government made up of three parties with different views who have all come together to make the responsible decision for New Zealand's long-term future. I look forward to the National Party joining us.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Can the Minister on a scale of one to 10 one being zen-like calm and 10 being furious rage tell us how she reacted to learning this week that a shortage of gas supply meant that the Huntly coal-fired station had to be turned on?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The reason why the Huntly station needed to be turned on was because of an extreme weather event that stopped the gas going through. It was not because of a shortage of supply. If that member thinks that there is a shortage of supply he should look to his time as the Minister of Energy and Resources.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Alongside amendments that she may place on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill that's coming before the House when the House returns in two weeks' time will she have a clause to prevent extreme weather getting in the road of energy supply?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: No that's called a climate action plan. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! Just to remind people it might be very close to the school holidays but they haven't started yet—Hon Ron Mark: Ooh!SPEAKER: Question No. 7 the Hon Paul Goldsmith. That includes you Mr Mark.