The Government is proposing that 7000 hectares of protected Conservation land be opened up to mining.
The proposals target land in the Coromandel Peninsula and the Inangahua sector of the Paparoa National Park, and on Great Barrier Island.
The announcement was made on Monday afternoon after Cabinet considered a discussion document on the extent of mineral deposits in New Zealand, in particular in areas protected under Schedule Four of the Crown Minerals Act.
Schedule Four bans mining from a range of high-value conservation areas including national parks, marine reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and wetlands.
Prime Minister John Key says that the move could add billions of dollars to the economy, but that it won't go ahead if the costs clearly outweigh the benefits. But even if local communities oppose such mining, he says, it will proceed if it's in the national interest.
Mr Key adds, however, that mining will not automatically proceed, as there's a consent process to go through. If it does happen, he says, it will be discreet mining, with a high value.
Thin end of the wedge, says Goff
Labour leader Phil Goff says the plan is the thin end of the wedge. The Government is talking up the value and talking down the environmental impact of mining, he says.
And a long-time Maori anti-mining campaigner says the Government's decision is an insult. Betty Williams says that while a small number may see jobs or other economic benefits, most Coromandel Peninsula Maori are totally opposed.
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says however that the proposal needs to be put into context: the 7058 hectares in question represent just 0.2% of protected land.
Mr Brownlee says that what's proposed is neither short-term thinking nor old-fashioned. There is, he says, a significant international demand for New Zealand's minerals.
He also says it would be at least five years until any mining did take place - if the proposals go ahead.
Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says that 12,400 hectares of other land will be added to schedule four.
People have until 5pm on 4 May to make submissions on the proposals.
