New Zealand’s resources minister Shane Jones heads to Perth

New Zealand’s Resources Minister Shane Jones will make for Australia’s mining capital this week with tidings that the island nation is “open for business”.

“My message to Australia is that New Zealand is once again open for business to responsible operators that want to join us in realising the potential of our minerals and petroleum estate while enhancing prosperity for New Zealanders,” he said ahead of the trip.

The Minister’s planned five-day visit comes as the country works towards a goal of doubling its mineral exports to $NZ2 billion ($1.8b) by 2035.

New Zealand has also recruited global resources firm Wood Mackenzie to help hash out a list of minerals of economic importance and where there might be local opportunities.

He is due to visit existing Australian investors to talk about the opportunities in New Zealand and figure out what the barriers to entry might be for new ones. Mr Jones will also meet with Federal and West Australian government representatives.

“We have made significant progress, through the draft Minerals Strategy for New Zealand and an upcoming Amendment Bill to the Crown Minerals Act, to get the right direction and settings in place to unlock New Zealand’s natural resource opportunities — but we also need to be proactive and visible to rebuild international investor confidence,” Mr Jones said.

Mr Jones will make for Perth on July 7 before travelling to Melbourne.