New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the recent NATO summit
New Zealand backs gas, but results take time
Government is sending out the right policy signals to support increased domestic gas development, but policy takes time to implement and even longer to yield results
New Zealand’s centre-right government is taking steps to revitalise the gas sector amid a sharp decline in reserves and production that has raised energy security risks. In May, the government announced it would set aside NZ$200m ($121m) in budgetary funds over the next four years to co-invest in the development of new gas fields. This and other policy commitments, such as lifting a ban on oil and gas exploration and doing away with “draconian” decommissioning requirements, put in place by the previous administration, “are sending the right signal that New Zealand is very much back open for business for the natural gas sector”, John Carnegie, CEO of Wellington-based industry association Ener
Also in this section
6 February 2026
The long close relationship between key supplier Qatar and pivotal buyer Japan becomes even deeper following new landmark deal
6 February 2026
Partnerships across the LNG value chain have evolved over time, growing in both complexity and importance, according to panellists at LNG2026
6 February 2026
Nigeria's mega-refinery is still trying to solve many challenges, all while its owner talks up expansion
5 February 2026
While broadly supportive of EU efforts to tackle methane emissions, representatives of the gas industry warn it could deter supply contracting if timelines and compliance requirements are not made more pragmatic
