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Story: Law of the sea

Mineral resources in New Zealand waters

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Mineral resources in New Zealand waters

The 200-nautical-mile EEZ, and the extension to the limits of the continental shelf, mean that New Zealand will benefit from the discovery of mineral resources, and will want to ensure that exploration and exploitation is carried out with due care. This map shows the mineral resources known to exist within these boundaries.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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How to cite this page

Bill Mansfield, Law of the sea – The benefits for New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/map/6971/mineral-resources-in-new-zealand-waters (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Bill Mansfield, published 2 March 2009.