News and Blog Hub

We are actively researching, innovating, and investing in future fuels, this includes a future with renewable gas. Over time, we plan to help New Zealand transition to a net zero carbon future, this involves decarbonising our gas pipeline by blending renewable gases like biomethane and hydrogen.

Are you considering the best option for heating water in your home? It’s an important question, because hot water heating is responsible for around 30% of the energy use in a typical Kiwi home.

When it comes to professional kitchens, gas ranges are the number one cooking method of choice – by a wide margin.

There’s huge potential for biogas in New Zealand – from energy to waste to agriculture, it can make a big contribution to our emissions-reduction efforts.

Gas pipeline’s provide us with a safe and efficient way to flow natural gas, but they do need to be properly maintained, inspected regularly and kept clean. There can be some erosion of the pipes, and deposits can build up inside them.

Firstgas is getting closer to commencing New Zealand’s first Hydrogen blending pilot, and planning to blend a small amount of hydrogen, a type of renewable gas, with natural gas into the existing natural gas pipeline in Te Horo.

Firstgas is working on an important project to upgrade its SCADA system, which is the ‘nerve centre’ of the gas transmission network. The new system will enhance network reliability, operational resilience and adapt to the evolving needs of the business.

Gas is here to stay, evolving toward a cleaner future. From cooking and heating to industrial processes, it has become an essential part of our homes, restaurants, and industries. It's reassuring to know that gas is transitioning to renewable gas.

Firstgas is committed to ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of our gas distribution pipeline network. Some pipelines that were installed prior to 1985 can be prone to possible weakness and we have a replacement programme underway to fix these issues.

Here at Firstgas, it’s our job to operate more than 2,500km of gas transmission pipelines and nearly 5,000km of gas distribution pipelines. Together, they provide gas to over 67,000 customers throughout the North Island.

First Renewables, in partnership with Ecogas confirmed today that the First Renewables biogas upgrade facility, located at the Ecogas Reporoa Organics Processing Facility is now in production.

In 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand, causing billions of dollars in damage across the country and more than 140,000 landslides.

Gas storage and flexibility is vital to support the generation of renewable electricity, particularly in the winter months, over peak demand periods, and is becoming more important with the addition of new variable wind and solar generation capacity.

Milly Marshall Kirkwood is a remarkable young woman with a burning desire to become a world champion in seated discus and shot put and compete in the 2028 Paralympics. Through the Firstgas Community Fund we are proud to support Milly to help fulfil her dream.

Firstgas is working with Omexon to better detect possible methane (natural gas) leaks early, on the Firstgas distribution network, using Street Evaluating Laser Methane Assessment (SELMA) vehicles.

Firstgas is one step closer to commencing New Zealand’s first Hydrogen Blending Pilot with WorkSafe granting two exemptions to Firstgas to enable the project to move forward.