News and Blog Hub

There’s something special about Easter baking. The scent of warm spices, the anticipation of that first bite and the comfort of a tradition passed down through generations. Few treats capture that feeling quite like freshly baked hot cross buns.

With thousands of river and waterway crossings across the Firstgas network, checking submerged pipelines has always been an important part of our maintenance schedule. In the past, it’s been a challenging undertaking: risky, time-consuming and providing only limited information. Thanks to new technology and a partnership with WSP, we can now survey waterways quickly, safely and with robust results.

Here’s a delightful green recipe to brighten your day. It’s super quick and efficient when you’re cooking with natural gas.

Firstgas, part of Clarus was proud to support this year’s Energy Sector Fishing Competition over Summer, an event that brings together people from across the energy sector while giving back to the local New Plymouth community. Although we didn’t have a Firstgas team on the water this year, we were pleased to come on board as a sponsor and see the positive impact the competition delivered.

A successful trial has demonstrated that satellite surveillance could be a fantastic way to monitor our pipelines for potential hazards. Currently, rural pipelines are checked for hazards using monthly or bimonthly helicopter surveillance.

Governments in New Zealand, Australia and Europe are investing in LNG import infrastructure to strengthen energy security during periods of supply constraint.

Since we first shared Milly’s journey toward the 2028 Paralympics, she has wasted no time turning ambition into action. The 2026 season is already shaping up to be something special, with records broken, milestones reached, and a new chapter about to begin.

Across New Zealand this Waitangi weekend, meals will still be cooked with gas, hot showers will be flowing and businesses that rely on continuous energy will keep operating. For most people, it all happens seamlessly.

An independent Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, Energy to Grow: Securing New Zealand’s Future, finds that strengthening the gas market, securing backup fuel for electricity generation and continuing to build renewables at pace could lower wholesale electricity prices in New Zealand.

Fresh, seasonal vegetables are a joy to cook, and natural gas makes it easy to bring out their best flavour. With instant heat and precise temperature control, natural gas cooking helps vegetables caramelise quickly, retain their colour and texture, and taste naturally delicious.

While many professional chefs swear by cooking with gas, plenty of Kiwi home chefs love it too. From weeknight dinners to weekend feasts, natural gas delivers fast, precise heat and the control that makes cooking more enjoyable at home.

New Zealand’s first ever hydrogen blending pilot was carried out in Te Horo on the Kāpiti Coast from June to early October this year. Led by Firstgas (part of Clarus), the pilot involved blending green hydrogen with natural gas into the existing natural gas pipeline.  

Renewable electricity supplies most of New Zealand’s power, but its availability can vary and as the energy system evolves, having a range of options will help support a smooth transition and ensure energy remains available, affordable, and reliable when it matters most.

New Zealand has an abundance of sunshine, wind and water, which means we can produce plenty of renewable energy. So why do we still use gas as a backup for our electricity grid?

Whether you’re catering for a workplace Christmas party, organising an end-of-year client function, or getting your venue ready for the busy hosting season, creating a smooth, stress-free experience is essential and cooking with natural gas is often the energy of choice for chefs.

Before you break ground on any summer project, remember to check for underground utilities first at beforeUdig.co.nz. This free, easy-to-use online service provides information on the location of cables, pipes and other assets beneath your property.