Continental Shelf Act.

This Act makes provision for the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf of New Zealand and Niue.
The Act vests all rights of exploitation and exploration of the continental shelf in the Crown. As far as mining for petroleum is concerned, the Petroleum Act 1937 and its Regulations shall apply and be interpreted so as to include the continental shelf. Mineral exploitation is subject to licence from the Minister of Mines. Provisions in the Part I of the Fisheries Act 1908 and of Part I of the Fisheries Amendment Act 1963 and of any Regulations made under the Fisheries Act concerning oysters shall apply with respect to oysters and oyster beds on the continental shelf. The Governor-General may declare the above-mentioned provisions to be applicable also to any other sedentary species of shellfish or to sedentary sponges.