In 40 years, if even the more conservative petroleum geologist analysis are true, the oil supply capacity globally will be half of what it is today.
If there is still oil to be found in New Zealand in 40 year’s time, the people then may have very good uses for it as a material and fuel for their highly efficient economy here in New Zealand. It might be worth substantially more to my grandchildren’s economy than it is to mine.
Sustainability thinking requires that we at least consider the benefits of finite resources to future New Zealanders and whether those benefits might be substantially higher than the current ones are to us.