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Soaring gold prices and a more favourable Government stance appear to be driving up interest in New Zealand's gold mining industry.
Legislation to be introduced on March 8 will speed up the process for resource consent approvals, including for mining in the regions.
Straterra, the body representing the mining industry in NZ, says it has several overseas investors eyeing up the market ahead of any potential changes.
There's already movement in the industry, which employs around 7000 people, focused in particular around lucrative gold deposits in Coromandel, Otago, and the West Coast.
Gary Taylor is the chief executive of the Environmental Defence Society. He says he saw a similar burst of activity in the 1980s but believes fast-tracking legislation is not wise.
Gary Taylor and Straterra CEO Josie Vidal speak with Kathryn Ryan.