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• Energy & Resources

• Recent Updates
• Current Reviews & Consultation
• Summary of Energy Policy Initiatives
• Crown Minerals
• Maximising Petroleum Potential
• New Zealand Energy Strategy
• Electricity
• Environment
• Energy Information
• Energy Modelling
• Energy Safety
• Gas
• Geothermal Energy
• International Relationships
• Oil & Alternative Fuels
• Carbon Capture & Storage
• Bioprospecting
• Water

Demand for energy will inevitably increase over time, putting pressure on our energy supplies and this pressure will be reflected in higher energy prices. The challenge for the Ministry over the medium to long term is to meet New Zealand's energy needs in a way that protects our way of life, economy and the environment. We aim to maintain an energy system over time that balances three high level outcomes:

• a high level of supply security (short- and long-term), balanced against the costs involved;
• acceptable environmental impact; and
• competitive and efficient pricing (which also reflects the cost of negative aspects of our energy use).

• Recent Updates
  This page summarises new content and recent updates to the "Energy and Resource"' section of the site.
• Current Reviews & Consultation
  Find out more about current reviews, discussion papers, and consultations from the Ministry in relation to "Energy and the Environment".
• Summary of Energy Policy Initiatives
  This page summarises major energy policy initiatives since 2000, with embeded links to key documents.
• Crown Minerals
  Crown Minerals manages the Crown's petroleum and mineral assets (oil, gas, minerals and coal). Its key objectives are to attract investment in exploration and development, and to maximise the return to the Crown from these assets.
• Maximising New Zealand's Petroleum Potential  [ Published 18 November 2009 ]
  The Government is committed to ensuring that New Zealand is a highly attractive global destination for petroleum exploration and production investment, such that we are able to develop the full potential of our petroleum resources.
• New Zealand Energy Strategy
  Read the 2007 New Zealand Energy Strategy through this page. The Government is updating the New Zealand Energy Strategy during 2009.
• Electricity
  The Ministry develops and implements policy for the electricity sector, in particular relating to the regulatory framework and governance.
• Environment
  The Ministry provides policy advice on environmental issues with a focus on a business perspective, and the quality of environmental regulation.
• Energy Information
  The Ministry compiles statistics on supply, demand, prices and greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector in order to provide baseline information, to fulfil New Zealand's international reporting obligations and to aid domestic policy development.
• Energy Modelling
  The Ministry undertakes energy modelling to provide projections of future energy supply, demand, prices, and emissions for various scenarios.
• Energy Safety
  The Ministry’s Energy Safety Operations team works with industry to promote and, where necessary, enforce high safety and quality standards in electricity and gas networks, installation systems and products.
• Gas
  The Ministry develops and implements policy for the gas market, including competition issues, supply and demand assessments and regulation of networks.
• Geothermal Energy
  Like many other countries with a significant landmass situated on the Pacific Rim, New Zealand has an easily accessible and large geothermal energy resource. The first use of geothermal energy in New Zealand was by central North Island Maori as a heat source for cooking and bathing. Historically most use has been centred on the Taupo and Kawerau regions with large scale electricity and direct...
• International Relationships
  The Ministry takes the lead on the NZ Government’s linkages with a number of key international energy organisations including the International Energy Agency (IEA), APEC Energy Working Group (EWG), and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
• Oil and Alternative Fuels
  Information on oil prices, oil security, fuel quality and alternative fuels including biofuels.
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
  A discussion on the development of carbon capture and storage technology (CCS).
• Bioprospecting
  The Ministry is looking at developing a policy framework for bioprospecting activities in New Zealand.
• Water
  A selection of water based reports including Water Bodies, Geothermal Resources, Hydroelectric Resources and the Waitaki Catchment.