18046 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister for Economic Growth

18046 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister for Economic Growth: In the Minister of Economic Growth's comments to the Bendigo-Ophir fast-track panel dated 30 March 2026, what specific assumptions, if any, did she make regarding: (a) the gold price over the mine's life; (b) the proportion of revenue and profits remaining in New Zealand versus flowing to overseas shareholders; (c) the employment effect on existing Central Otago industries; and (d) the fiscal cost to the Crown of long-term tailings dam management — and were any of those assumptions independently verified by Treasury prior to submission?

Hon Nicola Willis: All comments and assumptions are based on the economic assessment provided by the applicant. The specific assumptions included in the application can be viewed in the economic assessment provided by the applicant: https://www.fasttrack.govt.nz/projects/bendigoophir-gold-project/substantive-application These assumptions are not independently verified by the Treasury.