New Zealand's government has voted to reverse a ban on oil and gas exploration in a bid to tackle energy shortages and high prices.
The ban was introduced in 2018 by the country's Labour government as part of plans to make New Zealand carbon-neutral.
But the ruling right-wing coalition party has now voted through the crown minerals amendment bill - by 68 votes to 54 - which it is believed will help alleviate energy shortages and bring down high prices, The Guardian reports.
Last year, the New Zealand government passed a law that would see mining and infrastructure projects fast-tracked for approval.
In May this year, it also set aside $200million in its budget to invest in gas exploration.
And last month, the country withdrew from the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, an international coalition supporting the gradual phasing out of fossil fuels.
The government is planning to boost economic growth and increase mineral exports to $3billion by 2035.