In September 2024, MBIE consulted on a draft critical minerals list for New Zealand. The draft list was developed by Wood Mackenzie. Developing a list of critical minerals is a crucial step to ensure supply and is a key deliverable within the Minerals Strategy for New Zealand to 2040.

Minerals are essential to modern economies; their use in key industries and products supports economic growth and stability, national security, and technological advancement. In New Zealand, we produce many of the minerals we need, such as aggregate for roading and construction. We also import minerals, either as raw materials or within products, such as those used for clean technology, electronics, aviation, and medical equipment.

MBIE asked for feedback on the draft critical minerals list, and specifically on the following questions:

• Have we missed the inclusion of any mineral(s) on the draft Critical Minerals List?
• Have we included any mineral(s) that you think should not be on the list?
• Do you have any further feedback on the list, or the methodology under which it was developed?

• We strongly agree that the following minerals already included should remain on the list: Potassium, Phosphate, Boron, Cobalt, Copper, Magnesium, and Selenium
• Given changing needs following a global catastrophe, the list could additionally include Gold, Silver, Iron, Calcium (Limestone), Thermal Coal, Salt (sodium chloride), Iodine, and Geological Hydrogen (and perhaps other minerals).
• The global catastrophic risk lens should be applied across all strategic analyses the government undertakes.

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