New Zealand Orogenic Belt

Commentary

The belt's chequered exploration history remains a headwind, although the Murchison shale series is still a significant target. The reversal of the offshore exploration ban in 2025 should support investment as Taranaki gas supply declines, but this has yet to translate into new licensing activity, and an election is due in late 2026. Outlook: Neutral.

Updated

October 12, 2026

Location

Description

The NZOB has been widely accepted to be comprised of two contributory elements; the Murchison and West Coast Basins. West Coast Basin, and the Westland Sub Basin, is situated at the edge of the Australian plate which is being overthrust and dextrally offset against the Pacific Plate along the Alpine Fault. The Murchison Basin is a narrow, fault-bounded depression located on Australian continental crust, west of the Australian-Pacific transform plate boundary of the Alpine Fault. The Murchison Basin is part of the system of the West Coast Basins of the South Island, and can be considered the southern termination of the Taranaki Basin.

Summary

The chequered history of commercial exploitation in the Basin has provided a headwind, although the most attractive exploration target, the shale series within the Murchison, remains a significant target.