Articles tagged with Energy
Re-Energise 26 Report Calls for Coordinated Action to Build NZ Energy Workforce
1 day ago | 78 viewsThe Re-Energise 26 report highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to build New Zealand’s energy workforce to meet growing sector demands and avoid missed opportunities. Key challenges include workforce uncertainty, training pipeline issues, and critical role shortages, while opportunities lie in unified talent development and clearer career pathways. The government, industry, and educators must collaborate to strengthen skills, improve job connections, and support regions facing industry decline to ensure a sustainable energy sector future.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Energy Resources Aotearoa Electricity Engineers’ Association Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Social Development and Employment Minister energy workforce energy sector governmentRenewed Oil and Gas Prospecting in Canterbury Basin Boosts NZ Energy Outlook
2 days ago | 221 viewsA new prospecting permit application by CBX Energy Limited in the offshore Canterbury Basin reflects renewed confidence in New Zealand’s oil and gas sector, aiming to conduct technical and economic studies for basin development. The Canterbury Basin is a promising but underexplored area with potential hydrocarbons, offering opportunities to enhance domestic energy resources and economic growth. New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals is accepting competing applications until June 24, prioritizing them under the Minerals Programme for Petroleum 2025, with decisions expected later this year.
Tags: Canterbury Basin New Zealand Shane Jones CBX Energy Limited NZP&M petroleum prospecting permit offshore exploration oil and gas Crown Minerals Act 1991 Minerals Programme for Petroleum 2025New Zealand Temporarily Allows Australian-Spec Fuel to Boost Supply Resilience
3 days ago | 121 viewsThe New Zealand Government is temporarily allowing fuel meeting Australian specifications to be supplied domestically to enhance fuel supply resilience amid tight global markets. This alignment removes technical barriers, enabling importers to access a broader range of shipments without compromising vehicle compatibility or safety standards. While New Zealand will not relax sulfur limits like Australia, the measure may remain for up to 12 months and will be reviewed as market conditions evolve.
Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand Australia fuel resilience fuel specifications fuel supply energy minister fuel importers sulphur fuel TasmanNew Zealand to Double EV Public Chargers with $52.7M Zero-Interest Government Loans
3 days ago | 99 viewsNew Zealand's government is investing $52.7 million in zero-interest loans, alongside $60 million from ChargeNet and Meridian, to more than double the country's public EV chargers to around 4,550, aiming for 10,000 by 2030. This initiative addresses the current shortage of public chargers, a key barrier to EV adoption, by easing private sector investment and streamlining planning rules to accelerate infrastructure rollout. Expanding the charging network supports growing EV uptake, reduces emissions, and helps households save on fuel costs amid volatile global markets.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts ChargeNet Meridian Energy New Zealand EV chargers electric vehicles government loans EECA National Infrastructure Funding and FinancingNew Zealand Releases Oil Tickets to Support Global Supply Amid Strait of Hormuz Closure
1 week ago | 249 viewsNew Zealand will release 1.577 million barrels of crude oil purchase options, known as oil tickets, to support the International Energy Agency’s collective response to oil supply disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure. This contribution, part of a larger IEA release of 400 million barrels, aims to ease global refinery pressure and stabilize markets without affecting New Zealand’s domestic fuel security. The released tickets pertain to crude oil and fuels incompatible with New Zealand’s system, meaning no physical oil supply will be directly released.
Tags: New Zealand International Energy Agency Shane Jones Strait of Hormuz oil tickets crude oil fuel security Middle East Ministry of Business Innovation and EmploymentEnergy Minister Simon Watts to Attend Indo-Pacific Energy Security Forum 2026
1 week ago | 107 viewsEnergy Minister Simon Watts is traveling to Japan to participate in the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum, emphasizing the importance of energy security amid Middle East conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty. New Zealand is committed to securing global energy supply chains, particularly for liquid fuels, and remains prepared with resilient fuel systems and healthy stockpiles. The forum provides a key opportunity for New Zealand to collaborate with Indo-Pacific partners and support the International Energy Agency’s collective actions.
Tags: Simon Watts Energy Minister New Zealand International Energy Agency energy security fuel supply Middle East conflict international collaborationApply Now: New Zealand’s Applied Doctorates Scheme Supports Industry-Driven PhD Research
4 weeks ago | 233 viewsThe Applied Doctorates Scheme, supported by a $20 million government investment, connects PhD students with industry to address real-world challenges while developing advanced research and commercial skills. The 2025 cohort focused on energy innovation with 25 industry-led projects, and the 2026 round is now open for applications centered on Aerospace, Defence, and Security. This initiative aims to build a skilled research workforce that drives economic and community benefits for New Zealand through applied science.
Tags: Shane Reti Contact Energy Vector Victoria University Rio Tinto New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Applied Doctorates Scheme Science Innovation and Technology Aerospace Defence Security Biotechnology BioprocessingGovernment Drives New Energy Projects with Long-Term Power Purchase Agreements
4 weeks ago | 238 viewsThe Government, led by Energy Minister Simon Watts, is using public sector energy demand to drive new energy projects through long-term Power Purchase Agreements with major public agencies. They aim to increase affordable, reliable energy supply from diverse technologies, including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen, to reduce power bills and support faster project development. MBIE is conducting a feasibility study on streamlined solar procurement for government properties, with plans to issue a Request for Proposals by mid-2026 to accelerate implementation and increase energy generation.
Tags: Simon Watts Energy Minister Government Power Purchase Agreements Health New Zealand New Zealand Defence Force Department of Corrections MBIE renewable energy solar energyGovernment to Invest $200M in Genesis Energy to Boost NZ Energy Security
1 month ago | 249 viewsThe Government will invest up to $200 million in new Genesis Energy shares to support secure, affordable energy and maintain a 51% Crown ownership. This investment aims to enhance energy security by enabling Genesis to increase flexible capacity and strengthen the long-term value of the state-owned asset. It is part of a broader Government initiative to improve energy reliability and reduce living costs for New Zealanders.
Tags: Nicola Willis Simeon Brown Simon Watts Genesis Energy Government Finance Minister State Owned Enterprises Minister Energy Minister New Zealand Crown investmentNew Zealand Joins Global Effort to Secure Critical Minerals for Energy Future
1 month ago | 265 viewsNew Zealand has joined 32 member countries at the 2026 International Energy Agency Ministerial meeting in endorsing a Declaration to strengthen global cooperation on critical minerals essential for the clean energy transition and long-term energy security. The Declaration directs the IEA to enhance data collection, market monitoring, emergency preparedness, and innovation in recycling and recovery, while New Zealand aims to leverage its mineral resources and strong environmental standards to become a reliable supplier in global critical mineral supply chains. Resources Minister Shane Jones emphasized that responsible development of these minerals will boost economic resilience, create skilled jobs, and strengthen international partnerships.
Tags: New Zealand Simon Watts Shane Jones International Energy Agency critical minerals energy security clean energy transition lithium rare earth elements vanadiumGovernment Introduces Bill to Clarify ACC Payments Impact on Welfare Entitlement
1 month ago | 288 viewsThe Government is introducing the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill to clarify how ACC payments affect welfare entitlements and ensure fair treatment between different recipient groups. The bill aims to align the law with longstanding policy by authorizing MSD to retrospectively adjust benefits when backdated ACC payments reduce welfare to zero and to prevent inequities where some recipients receive dual income support for the same need. This legislation responds to court rulings and will not apply retrospectively to cases filed before the bill’s introduction, promoting fairness and certainty in the welfare system.
Tags: Louise Upston Government MSD Social Security ACC Social Development and Employment Social Services and Community Select Committee Social Security Appeal Authority High Court Winter Energy PaymentAndy Knight Named Chair of Expert Panel for $200M Gas Security Fund
1 month ago | 242 viewsAndy Knight has been appointed chair of the expert panel advising the New Zealand Government on applications to the $200 million Gas Security Fund, which aims to enhance domestic gas supply and storage amid declining production. The panel also includes geophysicist Tim Allan and energy sector professional John Pagani, with two more members to be appointed, and will provide independent, expert advice to decision-making ministers Shane Jones and Chris Bishop. The fund, administered by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, supports projects with short- to long-term benefits to secure affordable and reliable gas for New Zealand’s economy.
Tags: Andy Knight Shane Jones Tim Allan John Pagani Chris Bishop Gas Security Fund New Zealand Oil & Gas Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority Taranaki Iwi Holdings OMVNew Zealand to Build LNG Import Facility Boosting Energy Security and Economy
1 month ago | 308 viewsThe New Zealand Government will build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to enhance energy security, stabilize electricity prices, and support economic growth amid declining domestic gas supply and increasing reliance on coal and diesel. This facility, expected to be operational by 2027 or 2028 in Taranaki, will provide a reliable backup fuel source, potentially saving households $50 annually and protecting around 2,000 jobs by reducing price spikes and supply risks. The project aims to foster competition, enable resource development, and support gas-dependent industries while minimizing exposure to international gas prices through strategic import management.
Tags: Simon Watts New Zealand LNG import facility Energy Minister Sense Partners Taranaki Government energy security renewable electricity gas supply$1.26M Grant Brings Solar Power to Kaitaia Marae and Kura for Energy Security
1 month ago | 292 viewsA grant of up to $1.26 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will support the Whiti Mai Te Rā project, installing solar panels, batteries, and a diesel generator at a kura and five marae north of Kaitaia to provide reliable, affordable electricity and enhance energy security. The initiative, led by the Aupouri Ngāti Kahu Te Rarawa Trust in partnership with Kaumātua Energy, aims to save over $100,000 annually in energy costs and strengthen community resilience during emergencies. Installation will begin in March 2026, ensuring these vital community hubs can serve as stable civil defence centers for generations to come.
Tags: Tama Potaka Aupouri Ngāti Kahu Te Rarawa Trust Kaumātua Energy Whiti Mai Te Rā Te Rangi Āniwaniwa Kura Māori Development Minister Regional Infrastructure Fund Northland Far North New Zealand ANT TrustSouth Taranaki Green Hydrogen Facility Begins Construction with $19.9M Funding
1 month ago | 319 viewsConstruction has begun on a sustainable green hydrogen facility in South Taranaki, supported by a $19.9 million government investment and additional co-funding, with a total project cost of up to $112.3 million. The facility will supply renewable electricity to Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Kapuni site and produce green hydrogen for emissions-free transport, creating around 50 construction jobs and seven permanent roles. This project, a partnership between multiple organizations, aims to boost the regional economy by integrating wind energy, renewable electricity, and zero-carbon hydrogen fuel production at scale.
Tags: Shane Jones Hiringa Energy Parininihi ki Waitōtara Todd Regional Development Minister Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Provincial Growth Fund South Taranaki New Zealand