All phases of the New Zealand petroleum industry (exploration production, transportation, storage and distribution) are governed by various overlapping, if not conflicting, pieces of legislation. The separate treatment of petroleum under the Crown Minerals Act 1991 was a recognition that ownership and grants of right to mineral resources was a function of government that is distinct from protection of the environment. Nevertheless, the Resource Management Act 1991 is the central statute which co-ordinates conditions for prevention of marine pollution under the Marine Safety Authorities Act, Dangerous Goods Act, and the proposed Hazardous Substances and New Organisms legislation. On-the-ground compliance has largely been delegated to local authorities. The adoption of regional and district plans recognising petroleum exploration and production as a permitted activity subject to resource consent requirements presents the opportunity for the New Zealand petroleum industry to put forward a code of practice that integrates a system of compliance to meet many, if not all, statutory requirements and ease the administration of this legislation by focal authorities.
