The definition of minerals under the Act is very broad – it includes gravel, industrial rocks, building stone, coal and petroleum.

The proposal was condemned by critics not only because of the potential environmental impacts, but also because of the associated effects that were feared for the tourism industry.

In March 2010 the government requested public feedback on a discussion document on the removal of 7000 ha of land from Schedule 4.

[6] On 20 July 2010 the Government announced that in response to receiving 37,552 submissions, the vast majority of which opposed mining, it will not remove any land from Schedule 4.

[7][8] In April 2013 a group of well-known New Zealanders including actress Lucy Lawless, Geoffrey Palmer and Anne Salmond, as well as Greenpeace and Forest & Bird, said proposed amendments by the Crown Minerals (Permitting and Crown Land) Bill suggested by Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges were "a sledgehammer designed to attack peaceful protest at sea".