The safety of offshore oil wells was top of the agenda at a meeting of world energy ministers in Norway.
Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley was there, and says there are lessons to be learned to ensure accidents and oil spills, like that seen in the Gulf of Mexico, are not repeated.
He says changes are being made to separate the permit, health and safety, and environmental protection functions - to avoid conflicts of interest.
“Ensuring that safety networks are in place, that there’s checking and double checking and New Zealand can certainly learn a lesson there and as part of the changes we are introducing here that’s exactly what we will be doing.”
Mr Heatley says Norway puts greater health and safety responsibilities on the oil and gas companies themselves - something he's keen to emulate here.
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