5710 (2026). Steve Abel to the Minister for Regional Development

5710 (2026). Steve Abel to the Minister for Regional Development: How do assets for critical minerals projects, such as extraction infrastructure or mineral processing plants, meet investment eligibility for individual businesses under the Regional Infrastructure Fund, that businesses must have as a primary focus “energy security, water security, food security, connectivity (transport solution or digital connectivity), or growth of a Māori-owned business that is critical to enabling outcomes through a community or region”?

Hon Shane Jones: As the funding has been ring-fenced through the RIF, Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit will assess critical minerals investment proposals against the fund’s eligibility and location criteria. Information on the RIF’s eligibility and location criterion can be found on the Grow Regions website: www.growregions.govt.nz/new-funding/regional-infrastructure-fund/. The Regional Development Ministerial Group can consider whether to refer critical minerals RIF proposals to Cabinet for consideration if they do not meet the full eligibility criteria of the fund.