Above is a map of the Otahu Ecological Area (396 hectares) and the Parakawai Geological Area (68 hectares) which are proposed for removal from schedule four. The two areas are located within the formations that confine several significant gold deposits, and are likely to have "excellent potential" for development of medium-grade, medium-tonnage, gold-silver vein deposits. "It is estimated that there is potential within the two areas for a million-ounce ore body, which would be worth approximately $1.5 billion at today’s prices," the document says.

Above is a map of the Coromandel Peninsula. This has seven areas proposed for removal from schedule four, which adds up to 2,574 hectares (3.7 per cent of public conservation land on the peninsula). The Coromandel Peninsula is said to be one of the foremost epithermal gold provinces in the world. "Yet beyond the known gold deposits, it is extremely under-explored," the discussion document says.

Above is a map of Great Barrier Island showing 705 hectares proposed for removal from schedule four in the Te Ahumata Plateau area on Great Barrier Island – this represents about 2.6 percent of the island area. Te Ahumata Plateau is considered to have "excellent potential" for gold and silver mining. "Excellent potential exists there for discovery of a number of medium-scale, high-grade gold and silver deposits … with a potential value of $4.3 billion at today’s prices," the discussion document says.

Above is a map of the Inangahua sector of Paparoa National Park, where 3,315 hectares (8 per cent of the Paparoa National park) are proposed for removal from schedule four. The area has a generally high conservation value but the discussion document says there are a number of places where mining could occur without adversely affecting conservation. It has medium to high mineral prospectivity, particularly in respect of coal.