Oil and Gas Reserves off Denedin

The Dominion Post in its 9th August Edition published a news report under the heading "Gas and Oil Riches may lie off Denedin" that the Australian Company Origin Energy plans to drill exploration well off the coast of Denedin and that they are looking for a partner to join them in what they say is a high risk-high reward venture. I am suggesting, and in view of the increasing scarcity of crude oil, its high prices and the possibility of future supply disruptions, that the New Zealand Government takes a far reaching inititive and decide to take part in this venture, the rewards will be enormous and to name few, I say first, it will encourage more companies to explore in the New Zealand shores and secondly ,in case of a find, the revenue will far exceeds the investment and most importantly, is that New Zealand share in the crude may be added to a "National Reserve" to be utalised in case of emergency or disruption of supplies.If small size foreign company is ready to take the risk, then why not the New Zealand Government and (for a good reason too!)?