6. Question No. 6—ResourcesTANYA UNKOVICH (NZ First) to the Minister for ResourcesQuestion No. 6—Resources6. TANYA UNKOVICH (NZ First) to the Minister for Resources: What announcements has he made regarding petroleum exploration?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Resources): Today I've announced one petroleum exploration permit has been granted to Greymouth Gas Turangi Ltd. I have also announced that I'll be introducing a bill later this year that will overturn the previous regime's ban on new permits for petroleum exploration beyond the onshore Taranaki region. Important steps in the journey of New Zealand's resilience.Tanya Unkovich: Why do we need oil and gas?Hon SHANE JONES: The former ban soon to disappear created inordinate sovereign risk for investment in New Zealand. Advice and modelling show that the supply of gas is uncertain and may not match future demand. We need gas to keep the lights on in the electricity system and as the responsible Minister on a cold and chilly night I don't want to see the men and women of New Zealand reduced to jiggling to keep warm.Tanya Unkovich: What else is he working on?Hon SHANE JONES: I will be introducing as I said a bill to overturn the crippling and ghastly announcement that led to a cessation of new permits for petroleum exploration. As an act of penance I am going to visit investors overseas talk to New Zealand current investors and convince them that was a minor negative blip in the recent trajectory of New Zealand history.Hon Dr Megan Woods: Further to the answer on his behalf in the House on 29 February when it was stated that he had written to those people for their views and ideas in regard to the taxpayer-funded underwrite for the oil and gas industry who were those people?Hon SHANE JONES: I have spoken to lobbyists representatives of all of the members of the peak body. I have shared what I heard from them publicly and I bet the majority of the English-speaking world have heard my views.Hon Dr Megan Woods: Point of order Mr Speaker. I am seeking your guidance because I was asking in regard to an answer that had been given on behalf of the Minister in this House: that he had written to those people for their views and ideas. It was an answer in the House—SPEAKER: Yeah yeah—get to the point.Hon Dr Megan Woods: —and the Minister did not tell us who he had written to. He was very specific: he said he had spoken. I asked who he had written to.SPEAKER: OK. Well we can get pedantic if we like but he just has to address your question. He did and he said that he had spoken to all members of the peak body that represents the extractive industries. Now interpretation of that is not for me; it's for the House.Steve Abel: What is the Minister's response to the International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol who said three years ago in 2021 If Governments are serious about the climate crisis there can be no new investments in oil gas and coal from now—from this year [2021]."?Hon SHANE JONES: I am aware of those remarks. I am also aware of the feelings and the concerns amongst the New Zealand voting public who want the lights on. Gas exploration gas development gas delivery will be an integral feature of our ongoing electricity system until such time the clean green dream comes true.Tanya Unkovich: What does the lack of interest from industry in Block Offer 2020 mean for the new Government's plans for reinstating offshore petroleum exploration?Hon SHANE JONES: Our Government is committed to rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand as an attractive and secure destination. They have raised the question: what about if the Government changes? To wit my response has been: wait 12 years."