In 2019, the government led by Jacinda Ardern announced a ban on the issue of new permits for offshore exploration of oil and gas. The ban was nationwide but, naturally, hit some regions much harder than others. While centres of media, art and government like Wellington and Auckland were not directly affected the results were devastating for Taranaki.
Thousands of well-paying, blue-collar jobs would go. Tens of thousands of dollars would be lopped off average household incomes. Families would be forced to move.
The government recognised this and suggested that those blue-collar workers could retrain to take up jobs in clean tech. At a star studded, $400 a head event, Ardern announced a rescue package in the form of funding, over four years, a $27 million clean energy centre to help offset the $30 billion or so to be drained from the local economy.
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