Environmentalists are shocked and worried that conservation estates could be home to new mines under the Fast Track Approval bill.
The legislation, which passed its first reading on Thursday, will give the government powers to bypass the consent process and approve special projects.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop told RNZ Checkpoint he couldn't guarantee that conservation land will not be used for mining projects.
Critics have cried foul over the 'one-stop-shop' scheme, with Environmental Defence Society chief executive Gary Taylor sayings its powers are 'radical beyond measure'.
Shane Jones is one of the three Ministers given that power to make decisions, and he calls the backlash to the Bill "political entertainment".
Jones spoke to Corin Dann.
