Wouldn't be without it

At Firstgas, keeping gas flowing safely and reliably to more than 300,000 homes and businesses across the North Island means constantly investing in the long-term health of our pipeline network. That work has brought our teams to Awakau, Taranaki, where we carryied out a complex repair on the Maui pipeline using innovative BISEP technology, the first tool of its kind to be used in New Zealand.

Installing a new kitchen? Adding a bathroom? When you’re renovating your home, gas is something thousands of Kiwi’s wouldn’t be without. Whether it’s cooking with a real flame, reliable hot water, or instant warmth on a cold winter night, gas continues to play an important role in everyday life.

We know there’s been a lot of conversation about gas lately, and with so much information circulating, it can be difficult to know what it all means for homes and businesses across New Zealand. New Zealand’s domestic gas supply is declining over time, which means the market is becoming tighter and prices are increasing, similar to electricity and other forms of energy. However, this does not mean homes and businesses will suddenly lose access to gas.

Recent debate in New Zealand about LNG has focused heavily on cost, global markets and uncertainty. These are valid considerations. But the more fundamental question is what our energy system will require over the next decade, and how we manage those requirements in a practical way that supports both energy and economic resilience.

With global geopolitics causing high fuel prices, how can we can grow our local renewable energy sector? Renewable gas can provide low-emissions, locally-produced energy – all from organics that would otherwise go to waste. New Zealand already has one major renewable gas project at Reporoa, but the latest GasNZ report shows the full potential of this technology.

This Mother’s Day, skip the last-minute flowers and bake something that feels a bit more personal. A rich chocolate cake is hard to beat, it’s comforting, a little indulgent and guaranteed to make Mum feel special.

When it comes to using gas more efficiently at home for cooking, heating and hot water, it’s easy to think you need to make big changes to see a difference. In reality, it’s often the small, everyday habits that add up over time without sacrificing comfort.