Minister to take back inquiry appointment powers for EEZ applications

Minister to take back inquiry appointment powers for EEZ applications
Pattrick Smellie
By Pattrick Smellie Nov. 26 (BusinessDesk) - Environmental law reforms announced today include bringing the relatively new regime governing resource consents in New Zealand's vast offshore exclusive economic zone into line with Resource Management Act processes that apply on land and out to the 12-mile nautical limit. However, lobbying by mineral explorers disappointed at the rejection of two seabed mining applications under the EEZ regime has been rejected. "There has been a strong lobby from industry to change the precautionary princ...