The release area covers 2118sq km and the bid document contains an additional condition to engage with iwi and hapu as a result of consultation with those parties.
No new offshore permits are being offered, but several oil companies with permits that were issued before the offshore ban are seeking, or have been granted, timetable extensions as far out as 2022.
National manager of petroleum and minerals Ilana Miller said the release area did not include any land listed in schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act.
The schedule includes national parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries and World Heritage sites.
Also not included were areas of importance to Maori, such as Mt Taranaki and the Pouakai, Pukeiti and Kaitake Ranges.
The Parihaka pa was also excluded, along with land being investigated by the New Plymouth District Council and Taranaki iwi as being possible wahi tapu sites.
The tender round closes on August 28.
