KEY POINTS:
The Government is opening up three more onshore blocks in Taranaki for oil and gas exploration, bringing the areas open for bidding to 12.
Government agency Crown Minerals had encouraged investors by providing free technical data, attracting some newcomers to New Zealand, Associate Energy Minister Harry Duynhoven said.
Bidding on the onshore blocks, excluding the latest three, opened last November.
The bidding round will close on May 30.
- NZPA