Gas market

The Ministry has a lead role within government on the regulatory framework for the gas industry.  Our work ensures gas is delivered safely, efficiently, fairly, reliably and environmentally sustainably.

We monitor and advise the government on:

• gas governance and industry arrangements to promote a smooth transition to the post-Maui environment
• the role of gas as a thermal fuel
• actions to secure gas supplies for existing and prospective gas-fired electricity generation
• recommendations made by the Gas Industry Company on gas processing, wholesaling, transmission, distribution and retailing
• administration of the Gas Act 1992.

Review of the Maui Pipeline Outage

• Terms of Reference [50 KB PDF]

The Ministry of Economic Development is undertaking a review of the Maui Gas Outage that occurred in October 2011. The results of the review will be published in February 2012.

Related information

• The Gas Industry Company is the co-regulator of the gas market.
• The Electricity and Gas Complaints Commissioner offers an independent and free service for electricity and gas complaints.  By law, all gas retailers and distributers must be members of this scheme.
• Compare the price plans of gas retailers in your area at Consumer NZ's Powerswitch website.
• New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals manages the government's oil, gas, mineral and coal resources, and promotes investment in the those resources.
• Energy Safety is responsible for the administration and development of the Gas Act, Regulations and New Zealand Gas Codes of Practice relating to safety, quality and measurement of gas.
• The Commerce Commission is responsible for a number of regulations that affect the gas industry.