Resources Minister Shane Jones has labelled a new offshore petroleum permit as a “major milestone” for the energy sector, but 350 Aotearoa says the announcement is a ‘damp squib’. “Shane Jones may keep waving old treasure maps, but the real question this election is which parties will lower power bills by enabling the resilient, renewable energy system New Zealanders deserve,” says 350 Aotearoa campaigner Adam Currie. The serious players know mass public opposition and economic uncertainty has permanently ended offshore oil and gas exploration in Aotearoa. Oil and gas fields take an average of 16 years to move from exploration to production,” says Currie. The permit enables a small aussie company, EnZed Energy, to re-interpret an old seismic survey and do studies.