NZ Joins Global Push to Secure Critical Minerals for Clean Energy Future

The Declaration reflects increasing international urgency to ensure stable access to the minerals that will power the next generation of energy systems.

New Zealand has joined international leaders at the 2026 International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Meeting in Paris, committing to stronger global co-operation on critical minerals as a cornerstone of long-term energy security and the clean energy transition.

Energy Minister Simon Watts, attending the high-level meeting this week, joined 32 IEA member countries in endorsing a new Declaration to strengthen critical minerals security — recognising that these materials are now as strategically important to modern economies as oil and gas once were.

“New Zealand is already an active member of the IEA’s Critical Minerals Security Programme, which focuses on security of supply, market transparency, sustainable and responsible sourcing, reliable data, and innovation,” Mr Watts said.

Critical Minerals Now Central to Global Energy Security

Critical minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, vanadium and antimony are essential inputs for clean technologies including electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, battery storage systems and advanced electronics.

With global demand accelerating rapidly, supply chains are under growing pressure from geopolitical competition, export restrictions and limited refining capacity.

“Today’s Declaration recognises the strategic importance of these minerals for energy security and calls for timely, focused action — from short-term preparedness to accelerating strategic projects that diversify refining and processing,” Mr Watts said.

The Declaration reflects increasing international urgency to ensure stable access to the minerals that will power the next generation of energy systems.

New Zealand Positioned as a Trusted Supplier and Partner

The Government says New Zealand is well placed to become a credible contributor to secure global supply chains as demand rises and the world seeks reliable, responsible suppliers.

Occurrences of key minerals across the country present opportunities for careful development and investment, particularly in:

• Lithium (battery storage and EV supply chains)

• Rare earth elements (wind turbines, electronics and defence technologies)

• Vanadium (grid-scale battery systems and steel strengthening)

• Antimony (advanced manufacturing and clean-tech applications)

These resources could play a growing role in New Zealand’s economic resilience and strategic partnerships.

Economic Opportunity Through Responsible Development

Resources Minister Shane Jones said New Zealand’s mineral endowment must be recognised as a strategic national asset, capable of supporting high-value jobs and long-term capability.

“These resources need to be recognised as strategic assets for New Zealand’s economic resilience and international partnerships,” Mr Jones said.

He highlighted the role of New Zealand innovation in developing low-impact and circular-economy approaches to extraction.

“In addition to our mineral endowment, we have innovative technology companies developing ways to extract critical minerals from by-products of existing operations, low-impact recovery, and supporting the circular economy,” he said.

“Investing in the responsible development of these minerals means more high-skilled jobs, greater self-reliance, stronger national resilience, and opportunities to build new capability, technology, and infrastructure here at home.”

Global Demand for Transparent, Responsible Suppliers

International markets are increasingly seeking suppliers that can meet strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards — an area where New Zealand has a competitive advantage.

“Internationally, there is clear demand for stable, transparent, and responsible suppliers — a role New Zealand is well placed to play given our strong environmental, social and governance standards and trusted relationships with global partners,” Mr Jones said.

New Zealand’s endorsement signals its commitment to working with partners to build resilient supply chains while supporting responsible development domestically.

IEA Expanding Work on Minerals Monitoring, Stockpiles and Innovation

The Declaration directs the IEA Secretariat to significantly expand its work programme across several priority areas, including:

• Strengthening secure data collection and market monitoring

• Rapid assessments of major market developments and supply disruptions

• Coordinated responses to export restrictions and global shocks

• Supporting members to establish or expand critical mineral stockpiles

• Regular emergency preparedness exercises

• Expanding the Critical Minerals Information Dashboard

• Accelerating innovation in recycling, recovery and substitution technologies

• Deepening collaboration with governments, industry, finance and international partners

The measures are aimed at preventing future supply bottlenecks and ensuring critical minerals do not become the limiting factor in global decarbonisation efforts.

Part of the Solution for the Clean Energy Transition

The Government says New Zealand stands ready to contribute to international efforts to secure the minerals needed for the clean energy future — while ensuring development is responsible, sustainable and aligned with national values.

“We stand with our IEA partners in supporting secure, resilient critical-mineral supply chains — and in using our endowment to be part of the solution,” Mr Jones said.