Contact says Ballance's gas may go to schools and hospitals

Ballance's Kapuni plant loses out to higher-paying gas users. (Image: NZME)

Fri, 08 Aug 2025

Contact Energy says the gas it acquired partly at Ballance’s expense could be used to ensure government users such as schools and hospitals will still have access to the fuel in the future.On Thursday, Ballance Agri-Nutrients said it might stop making nitrogen urea at its Taranaki plant for four months because it has been unable to secure a long-term gas supply at an affordable price.Ballance is still looking for a long-term supply and may be able to find short-term contracts to continue production.Ballance had a contract with Greymo...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets

Employment data dominates quiet day on NZ sharemarket

The NZ sharemarket was down with no real trend driving the change.

Tom Raynel 05 Nov 2025

Economy

‘Remarkable growth’: Fulton Hogan posts higher profit

Fulton Hogan paid a total dividend of $180.4m for 2025.

Duncan Bridgeman 05 Nov 2025

‘Remarkable growth’: Fulton Hogan posts higher profit

Policy

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation

Burning some coal to enable more renewable power "not a bad deal".

Pattrick Smellie 05 Nov 2025

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation

Sponsored

Health insurance proving a valuable negotiating tool for Kiwi businesses

More employers see health insurance as key to staff wellbeing.

Moneyfit

Sponsored

Move-in ready offices: How business are rethinking workspace

Businesses want agility – and office space is evolving fast

Sponsored by Precinct Properties

More Energy

Policy

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation

Burning some coal to enable more renewable power "not a bad deal".

Pattrick Smellie 05 Nov 2025

News in Brief

Genesis gets fast-track greenlight for Tekapo power scheme

Genesis Energy has received fast-track approval to continue operating and maintaining the Tekapo hydro power scheme.It lodged the fast-track application in April 2025 for the scheme, which includes Tekapo A and B power stations and substations, and the canal system. Genesis has o...

Staff reporters 03 Nov 2025