Earlier this year, Firstgas identified an issue that resulted in customers paying slightly more in gas distribution charges than they should have, between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025.
To best enable reimbursement of funds to consumers, Firstgas will provide a one-off rebate to energy retailers.
Reimbursements from Firstgas to energy retailers will be processed during July 2026. Timing of potential reimbursements from retailers to customers will depend on your retailer’s billing cycle.
You should be eligible for a reimbursement if you received natural gas through the Firstgas network between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025.
Residential customers who are eligible will receive a reimbursement of $4.94 exclusive of GST.
Commercial and industrial customer reimbursement amounts will vary depending on their Firstgas commercial tariff.
Current customers
If you currently receive natural gas through the Firstgas network, your reimbursement should be applied automatically by your gas retailer on Firstgas' behalf.
You do not need to contact your retailer or Firstgas.
Former customers
If you were an active customer connected to the Firstgas network on 30 September 2024, but are no longer connected to the Firstgas network, due to not having a current gas account, you will not be able to receive your reimbursement via your energy retailer.
Where our records indicate you are eligible, Firstgas will write to the property address directly with information on how to claim your reimbursement.
Our commitment
Firstgas is committed to returning this money to energy retailers and will make all reasonable efforts to contact former customers who are entitled to a reimbursement.
Firstgas has voluntarily disclosed this issue to the Commerce Commission.
Sourced: Kindness Collective
If a reimbursement remains unclaimed after the claim period closes, and all reasonable efforts have been made to contact eligible customers, all remaining funds will be donated to Kindness Collective, a New Zealand charity supporting families and communities in need.
Firstgas identified a pricing issue that resulted in some customers paying slightly more in gas distribution charges than they should have between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025.
The reimbursement is being funded by Firstgas. If you are a current customer, your gas retailer should be applying the reimbursement to your account on Firstgas' behalf.
If you are an existing customer then, no. If you are eligible and currently connected to the Firstgas network, your reimbursement should be applied automatically by your gas retailer on Firstgas’ behalf.
If you are no longer connected to the Firstgas network but were an active customer as of 30 September 2025, then yes. Firstgas will contact you by directly mailing the property address with a means of receiving your reimbursement. Subsequently you will need to supply us with details to enable payment. The closing date for claiming any reimbursement is 30 August 2026.
Eligible residential customers will receive $4.94 exclusive of GST.
Commercial customers will receive a standard reimbursement depending on their Firstgas tariff category. As Firstgas has multiple commercial tariffs depending on customer size, different tariff groups will receive different levels of reimbursements.
Industrial customers will receive individually calculated reimbursements.
Residential and commercial customers receive a standard reimbursement dependant of which Firstgas tariff group they qualify for. Industrial customer reimbursement amounts will vary dependant on individual gas usage and tariff during the affected period.
Yes. If you are currently connected to the Firstgas network, your reimbursement should be applied through your current retailer responsible for your gas supply.
Yes. If our records indicate you are eligible, we will write to you directly with information on how to claim your reimbursement.
Firstgas is committed to returning this money to eligible customers and will make reasonable efforts to contact former customers who are entitled to a reimbursement.
If a reimbursement remains unclaimed after the claim period has ended on 30 August 2026, all remaining funds will be donated to Kindness Collective, a New Zealand charity supporting families and communities in need.
No. This reimbursement relates only to gas distribution charges between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025 and does not affect your current gas charges.
You will be notified by your gas retailer, or if you are no longer with your retailer you will be notified by letter to your home address.
If you have a question about your reimbursement that is not answered here, please contact Firstgas.
Email: rebate@firstgas.co.nz
