Gas reserves drop below 10 years of existing use for first time

Gas reserves drop below 10 years of existing use for first time
NZ's gas reserves are declining, but so is gas use. (Image: Getty)
Ian Llewellyn
New Zealand’s expected oil and gas reserves have dropped below 10 years of existing use for the first time.Confirmation of declining reserves comes as gas use has also been dropping, and the energy sector debates the future of the fuel in the system and whether there will be an energy shortfall.The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) data supplied by both onshore and offshore permit holders shows a 17% decrease in proven plus probable (2P) reserves with 1,635 petajoules (PJ) of 2P Gas reserves reported as a...

More Policy

Govt proposes major council overhaul
Policy

Govt proposes major council overhaul

Regional councillors to be deposed, mayors empowered, and amalgamation put on the table.

FIF tax creator says ‘sorry’, but wants deeper reform
Policy

FIF tax creator says ‘sorry’, but wants deeper reform

Economist Peter Wilson says the Government's FIF changes need to go further.

Treasury strategist: NZ needs to tax capital income
Policy

Treasury strategist: NZ needs to tax capital income

Struan Little says it’s not a question of whether we should tax capital, but how.

Dileepa Fonseka 21 Nov 2025
The back-to-front ferry deal
Opinion

Pattrick Smellie: The back-to-front ferry deal

Will the wharves be ready when the new ferries arrive?

Pattrick Smellie 20 Nov 2025