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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.

A multi million upgrade to the Firstgas compressor station at Kaitoke is now substantially complete, on schedule and within budget. Two state-of-the-art compressors from the USA have been installed, commissioned, and are ready to be brought online in early 2026.

There’s been an exciting development for Aotearoa New Zealand’s energy future and for our growing renewable gas industry.

Renewable gas keeps gaining momentum. Let’s take a look at some of the recent developments from around the world.

For generations, Kiwis have trusted natural gas to keep their homes warm, their water hot, and their meals cooking. Behind that reliability lies a rich history of innovation, discovery and a commitment to delivering energy New Zealanders could depend on through changing times.

The days are getting longer, the weather is warming up, and it’s the perfect time for some spring cleaning. Get your home ready for summer entertaining, whether that’s hosting the big match, drinks with the gang, or a birthday party for one of the kids.

Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of welcoming Tim Costley, MP for Ōtaki, along with our pilot partners GasNet, Nova Energy, Powerco, Vector Limited, Te Horo community board members and GasNZ, to the Te Horo Hydrogen Blending Pilot site and display home.

Every day, natural gas travels quietly beneath our feet, powering homes, businesses, and industries across the country. Most of us never see the pipelines that make this possible, but ensuring their safety is a constant challenge.

At Clarus and Firstgas, we’re committed to supporting initiatives that have a practical and meaningful impact on our communities where we operate, through our community partnership fund.

Firstgas, along with project partners GasNet, Nova Energy, Powerco and Vector, recently announced that in a New Zealand first, the Te Horo Hydrogen Blending Pilot has reached a 10% hydrogen blend, a key milestone for this pioneering project.

This lamb biryani is the winning recipe from our Firstgas lamb recipe competition! With fragrant rice, tender meat and warming spices, all cooked in one pot over the instant heat of gas, this is a dish that feels special yet comforting, perfect for family dinners or sharing with friends.

Firstgas, part of Clarus, together with GasNet, Nova Energy, Powerco, and Vector, has reached a key milestone in New Zealand’s first hydrogen blending pilot. Fourteen households in Te Horo, on the Kāpiti Coast, are now receiving a gas blend containing 10% hydrogen by volume, delivered through the existing gas distribution network.

At Firstgas, our job is to keep the gas flowing safely and reliably to over 300,000 homes and businesses across the North Island. This means making sure our pipelines are always in top condition. When we identify a section of pipeline that needs replacing, we act quickly.

We’ve all been there - mid-shampoo and suddenly the water runs cold. Whether it’s multiple showers or the dishwasher kicking in, hot water runs out faster than you think.