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Energy – GasNZ reassures customers that “gas decline” stories are not about LPG supply

Source: GasNZ

Despite the diminishing supplies of natural gas in New Zealand, there is no shortage of LPG, GasNZ says.

Chief executive Jeffrey Clarke says most of the news about declining ‘gas’ production in New Zealand is actually about ‘natural gas’, and is not relevant to ‘LPG gas’ users.

“LPG supplies are not declining like natural gas is,” he says.

There are 300,000 customers of LPG in New Zealand – including all South Island ‘gas’ consumers – who don’t have to worry about the decline in natural gas affecting them.

People sometimes ask how they can be sure whether their gas is LPG or natural gas, Clarke says.

“It’s pretty simple – if your gas comes in a cylinder or tank, then it is LPG.

“If you are a South Islander, then your gas is LPG – because there is no natural gas supply in the South Island.

“And if your gas is piped to your home or business in the North Island, then it is probably natural gas.”

Clarke says that if you are in any doubt, just check with your retailer.

And what despite the war in the Middle East – LPG suppliers in New Zealand say that they have plenty of stock, he says.

“Most of New Zealand’s LPG comes from Australia and USA, with some produced here domestically.

“None of the LPG New Zealand imports is shipped through the Middle East.”

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BusinessNZ – Gas report highlights urgency of securing NZ’s energy transition

Source: BusinessNZ

The BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) welcomes new analysis providing greater transparency on the future of New Zealand’s natural gas sector, saying it reinforces the scale and urgency of the supply challenge facing the economy.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says a new report commissioned by natural gas industry body Gas Industry Co confirms that New Zealand faces a rapid and unprecedented decline in domestic gas supply.
“BEC has been raising concerns about declining natural gas availability since its Gas Users Forum last year, warning of the risks to businesses and the wider economy if supply continues to fall without credible alternatives.
“Evidence of the strain is already emerging. This latest report notes that high gas prices and supply uncertainty are forcing some users to cut production, raise prices or close operations. These trends were also identified in BEC’s gas users survey last year. Introducing LNG imports from 2028 could materially ease the pressure.”
Rich says a pathway combining local gas with LNG imports would support a smoother transition, giving the energy sector time to build additional renewable generation and network capacity, while allowing consumers and businesses to move away from gas at a manageable pace.
“But even with LNG imports, without viable transition pathways for businesses, reductions on that scale risk economic contraction, job losses and business closures.
“Ensuring New Zealand has a realistic transition pathway is critical. Businesses need time, certainty and workable alternatives if they are to adapt while continuing to invest, produce and employ New Zealanders.”
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
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Events – 24 hours to go: Hamilton gears up as Jim Beam Homegrown prepares to burst into song

Source: Brainchild for Jim Beam Homegrown

“Climb over your mates if you have to but don’t miss out on tickets for Jim Beam Homegrown in Hamilton this weekend.”

That’s the message from local businessman, entrepreneur, hotelier and ultimate Jim Beam Homegrown fan Pienaar Piso as the Festival enters its final hours before gates open on Saturday.

In just over 24 hours’ time, one of Aotearoa’s most iconic music festivals will return to Hamilton for the first time after 18 years on Wellington’s waterfront, transforming Claudelands Oval in Kirikiriroa into a full-scale Kiwi music playground.

And Hamiltonians are ready!

“We have been counting down to this since the day it was announced,” says Vanessa Williams, General Manager of the Hamilton Central Business Association. “Events like this bring incredible energy into the city. It is not just about the festival itself, it is about people exploring Hamilton, discovering new places and supporting local businesses along the way. We want every visitor to feel like a local while they are here.”

Jim Beam Homegrown CEO and managing director Andrew Tuck says the festival site has shifted into full festival mode.

“This is the moment where everything comes together,” says Tuck. “The stages are built, the sound systems are firing up and crews are moving at full pace to get every last detail locked in. You can feel the buzz building already. The artists are arriving, the city is humming and the stage is set for an epic celebration of Kiwi music.”

Over the past three weeks, hundreds of crew members, technicians and suppliers have been working around the clock transforming Claudelands Oval into a multi-stage festival destination.

Wherever possible, local Waikato suppliers have been part of the build — from scaffolding and staging to fencing, electricians, lighting, security and food vendors.

“It’s been incredible to see the scale of work going into bringing this event to life,” says Tuck. “We’ve had a huge response from the Waikato community and a lot of local businesses have played a role in getting us to this point.”

While the festival marks a return to its regional roots, the Hamilton event is arriving bigger than ever.

Two additional stages have been added this year, expanding the range of music and experiences for festival goers. The inaugural Precision Live Dance Stage will also add a new dimension, with some of Aotearoa’s best street and break dancers battling it out throughout the day.

With the schedule confirmed, the site nearly show-ready, and the final sound checks underway, the countdown is almost complete.

“Right now it’s all about the final touches,” says Tuck. “Tomorrow the gates open and Hamilton becomes the home of Kiwi music.”

Brainchild on behalf of homegrown.net.nz

About Jim Beam Homegrown

Jim Beam Homegrown is New Zealand's largest Kiwi-only music festival, celebrating the best of Aotearoa's musical talent. Established in 2008 in Hamilton, initially as X*Air, an extreme sports festival, Jim Beam Homegrown showcases a wide range of genres, including rock, funk, pop, reggae, hip-hop, and electronic music.    

Tickets to the inaugural Hamilton event can be found at www.homegrown.net.nz

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Candidates – Green Party selects Asher Wilson-Goldman as candidate for Kapiti

Source: Asher Wilson-Goldman

The Green Party has selected Waikanae resident Asher Wilson-Goldman as their candidate for the new Kapiti electorate at this year’s general election.

“I can’t wait to share the Greens’ positive vision for Aotearoa with Kapiti residents,” said Asher Wilson-Goldman.

“For too many people in our electorate, it’s harder now than it was three years ago to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads.

“The Greens have a plan to see nature thrive, and for everyone to have what they need to live a good life.

“I’ve helped lead some of the public sector’s largest pieces of work, so I understand the power of the public sector to improve lives, when we have a Government that supports them to do it.

“Locally I’ve volunteered my time helping to set up Predator Free Kāpiti Coast, sorting through donations to the Kāpiti Foodbank, and advising Council on improving walking, cycling and horse riding access for recreation and transport.

“I’m a relentless advocate for Kāpiti every chance I get, and I’d love to take my voice to Parliament to fight for better healthcare, better housing and real action on climate change.

“By giving your party vote to the Greens this November, you’ll be part of our movement for stronger communities and a healthy planet,” said Asher Wilson-Goldman.

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Govt Cuts – Risks to patients of health IT cuts laid bare in explosive report ignored by Govt – PSA

Source: PSA

The Government ploughed ahead with slashing Health NZ’s IT workforce, despite being told of the risks to patient care, an explosive internal report reveals.
The report – ‘End user impact of digital change – consequences’ was obtained by the PSA under the OIA and was prepared around March 2025 as Health NZ Te Whatu Ora refined proposals to almost halve its IT workforce (report attached).
“The report is a crystal-clear warning that cutting the jobs of IT experts will increase risks to patients – and that was ignored by Health NZ in the headlong rush to make cuts ordered by the Government,” said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.
The Digital Services workforce has been reduced by nearly 1000 roles by the Coalition Government.
The report, prepared by Health NZ’s Clinical Quality and Safety Committee, assesses the impacts of the of the original November 2024 proposal to cut the Digital Services workforce by 44% from 2400 to 1285. In April 2025 a new Digital Services structure was confirmed with 1460 roles, a reduction of 940 roles, a 39% cut.
It found that the proposed cuts would increase ‘overall clinical and operational risks’ that ‘will materially impact patient care’.
“This is an explosive document that should ring alarm bells across the health sector. It shows that the risks to patient care from cuts to Health NZ’s digital services team were known and expected.
“IT plays a critical role across every aspect of health care, from operating theatres to referrals, clinical test results and payroll, yet the Government was prepared to gamble with patient care, all to save money.”
IT outages are now ever present in our health system – the risks were sharply highlighted in January when clinicians across hospitals in Auckland and Northland were forced to use paper-based systems and whiteboards overnight and again last week when Waikato Hospital staff were unpaid for 24 hours.
“The buck stops with Health Minister Simeon Brown. He must take urgent action to invest in IT upgrades and IT specialists, or the impacts will be tragic. The underfunding of public health has to stop.”
In light of the report the PSA is renewing its call for the Government to:
– Immediately review funding for health digital services and IT infrastructure
– Admit its mistakes in cutting digital services expertise
– Commit to properly resourcing IT system upgrades and maintenance
ENDS
Attached: End user impact of digital change – consequences
Snapshot report findings
The report found that the proposed cuts would increase “overall clinical and operational risks” that “will materially impact patient care”.
It warns that cutting Digital Services staff who keep IT systems running will “hinder the ability to maintain such critical services effectively,” and will have “a larger impact on the [the Government’s] health targets than initially suggested.”
The report found that cutting digital delivery capability “may negatively impact Health NZ's ability to implement productivity and cost saving initiatives”, needed to meet the health targets.
It warns that with fewer staff and an ageing IT ecosystem, “the risk rating will almost certainly elevate as technical debt becomes unsustainable.”
The report further warns of longer wait times for clinicians looking for IT support. “Delays in responding to issues and requests may lead to impacts on clinical care time or the ability to provide critical information.”
It states that cuts will hit rural and regional hospitals hardest. Smaller sites including Gisborne, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Masterton, Nelson, Greymouth and Rotorua were already identified as under-resourced and geographically vulnerable. “The impact would be felt more keenly owing to the multiple roles conducted by some staff. A combination of single points of failure and inadequate wrap-around support.”
Recent PSA statements
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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National Erebus Memorial moves forward with release of concept design

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage has today released the concept design for the National Erebus Memorial, marking an important milestone in the project’s development.
Deputy Secretary Delivery and Investment, Glenis Philip-Barbara, says the design reflects not only the significance of the Memorial, but also the enduring place families have in the project.
“Erebus families and members of Operation Overdue have been central in every step of this kaupapa,” she says. “Their insights shaped the original design brief, and their voices continue to guide how we honour their loved ones in this new setting.”
The concept has been developed by Studio Pacific Architecture and is based on the updated design brief and detailed site analysis for Cracroft Reserve, Christchurch – the preferred location. The concept reinterprets key elements from the original design to respond to the topography and outlooks of Cracroft Reserve.
“This design honours the memory of those lost, while deeply respecting the whenua and the people already connected to this place. Studio Pacific Architecture has created an incredible concept design that we are very proud of,” Philip-Barbara says.
The design emphasises the original design principles – a sense of adventure, a strong connection to the horizon and sky, and a journey that leads visitors toward moments of pause and reflection.
Elements of the concept design include the Roll of Names, a view of the horizon, the walkway, snowflakes, space to gather, sit and reflect, narrative and dedication components, and a whakataukī inscription.
Positioned on an elevated area of Cracroft Reserve, the concept offers expansive views across Christchurch and toward the coastline and Port Hills, creating a place for connection, reflection, and quiet remembrance.
Three official concept images – an aerial view, a sketch visualisation, and elevation drawings – have been released today and are available for media use. Feedback being sought about the concept design from Erebus families and members, Christchurch City Council, mana whenua, stakeholders, technical partners, and the Ministry. This will be considered by the designers as the project moves to developed and detailed design.
“Families remain at the heart of this work. Their perspectives, along with the expertise of our partners, will guide the next stage of refinement,” says Philip-Barbara. 
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Legislation – PSA calls on MPs to sign pledge to stop cuts to holidays and pay for thousands of workers

Source: PSA

The PSA is calling on all MPs to sign a pledge promising to oppose a law change that will slash the pay and leave entitlements of tens of thousands of working people being debated in Parliament today.
The first reading of the Employment Leave bill, which seeks to replace the Holidays Act, is today.
Under the bill employees who regularly work overtime or pick up extra hours will have less leave than they do under the current law. Any work outside of ‘contracted hours’ will not accrue sick or annual leave.
“We are asking all MPs from each party in Parliament to sign a pledge that they will not support any changes that will leave workers worse off,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Most MPs from across the political spectrum like to think they come to Wellington to make the lives of New Zealanders better, not worse, so we are hopeful our pledge will get wide support.”
“Anybody who works irregular hours or gets irregular pay will suffer if these changes are passed. No MP should support these changes, and this pledge is a chance for them, as individual decision-makers representing communities all over New Zealand, to show the public whether they stand for working people.”
The PSA represents many of the people who would be worse off, including those working in hospitals, those caring for mental health patients, corrections officers, staff keeping our borders secure, care and support workers looking after our most vulnerable, and library workers running the beating hearts of our communities.
“These people all undertake vital work supporting communities up and down New Zealand and keeping us safe. How is cutting leave entitlements fair in a cost-of-living crisis when household budgets are under more pressure than ever?” said Fitzsimons.
“Part time workers are particularly badly affected, many of whom are women. This is the latest war on women from a Minister and Government that cancelled pay equity settlements in the dead of night with no prior notice.”
The bill will cut the amount many workers are paid while on leave. Leave pay won’t account for commissions, bonuses, or occasional allowances, and if you take leave for a shift where you’d paid more than one rate, you’ll get the lowest rate for the entire period of leave.
The Government is also proposing cutting leave for people who’ve been on ACC compensation, and no longer providing a full day in lieu for people working shorter shifts on public holidays.
“This so-called attempt to simplify leave entitlements is simply giving a leg up to exploitation – employers will take more from workers while giving less in return,” said Fitzsimons. “This is just more from a government prioritising the profits of its business mates over the pay of workers.
“Let’s not forget that on top of cancelling pay equity, workers are suffering after the Government has suppressed minimum wage rises, stripped away their job security, and is also trying to undermine their health and safety.
“Working people deserve holidays, and they deserve to be paid properly for them. The PSA will campaign against this attack on leave entitlements and make sure everyone knows how this bill would leave so many people worse off.
“We are also reaching out to New Zealand First and its leader Winston Peters, who has repeatedly claimed to support the interests of working people. He had a chance to block the Fire at Will Bill and didn’t help working people then. We hope now he can work constructively with unions to stop this latest anti-worker bill.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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US-Israel Conflict – At least 52 million children facing disrupted education due to Middle East and wider region conflict – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children

At least 52 million school age children have been forced to stop school, moved to online learning or had their education disrupted as violence in the Middle East and wider region entered its second week, Save the Children said.
Data calculated by Save the Children using UN population data and percentages of school aged children (aged 5 – 17) for countries and areas [1] affected by the conflict showed the extent to which education for children from all backgrounds has been impacted with schools damaged, closed or repurposed as shelters.
In Lebanon, where over 770,000 people, including at least 300,000 children, have been forcibly displaced , about 900 public schools have been allocated to serve as collective shelters, representing 73% of all public schools, with 328 public schools currently being used as shelters.
This is the seventh year of significant disruptions to education for children in Lebanon, who have been hit by multiple complex crises for decades.
Across the region that is home to at least 100 million children, schools have also been destroyed or damaged, including 65 schools in Iran that were destroyed by airstrikes, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. [2]
In the West Bank most schools have been closed since the start of the recent escalations on 28 February, due to safety risks of falling debris and the closure of Israeli military checkpoints which is blocking students and teachers from reaching school.
As of early March, schools and universities in several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain, have also shifted to distance learning due to security concerns.
In Israel schools will remain closed until at least the end of the week.[3]
Concerns over disruptions to global oil supplies have forced schools further afield to shut.
Across Pakistan, schools have been asked to shut for the next two weeks as part of measures to help conserve fuel, but exams will continue as scheduled, the country's Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training said this week.
Ahmad Alhendawi, Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa and Eastern Europe at Save the Children, said:
“In every conflict, classrooms are usually the first to close and some of the last places to reopen. Every missed lesson deepens the scars of war. Not every child can escape the violence or afford to move their learning online – we know that for the most vulnerable children, once they leave school many will never return.
Schools are protected sites and attacks on them could amount to grave breaches of international humanitarian law. The laws of war must be respected.”
Marian Hodgkin, Global Head of Education at Save the Children, said:
“We’ve seen schools destroyed due to air strikes, and being used as shelters as people run from their homes and seek shelter in schools. The loss of regular schooling means we now must provide safe spaces for children who are directly impacted by this conflict so that they can be supported by a trusted adult and learn lifesaving messages like how not to get injured in rubble or avoid unexploded ordinances.
This conflict directly impacts not only students’ academic performance but their protection and ability to cope with increasing risks and instability.”
Save the Children is preparing for and is already responding across the region to keep children safe and learning even when formal schools are closed.
The child rights organisation’s plans include the delivery of Education in Emergencies (EiE) activities to help keep children protected and connected and to support their wellbeing.
Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights organisation, reaching tens of millions of children annually in about 110 countries through its work to save and improve children’s lives.
Notes
Methodology: Save the Children looked at the population data using UN data for countries currently affected by the hostilities in the Middle East and wider region and determined the number of school aged children (ages 5-17) as a percentage of the population. Countries/regions were analysed based on confirmed and ongoing disruptions to children’s education including missed school days or transitions to online or alternative learning and announcements about closures by education ministries.
References:
[1] This includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, State of Palestine, and the United Arab Emirates.
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Energy Sector – Study points to scale of opportunity for domestic natural gas to fill the gap

Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa

A new study on New Zealand's gas market shows massive electrification or alternative fuels will be required to meet residential and industrial demand over the next decade, even if LNG imports begin in 2028.
But Energy Resources Aotearoa says the findings raise an important question – what could more domestic natural gas deliver to help New Zealand avoid this outcome?
The 2026 Gas Supply and Demand Study, commissioned by the Gas Industry Company and prepared by PwC, looks at two futures.
In scenario one, New Zealand relies only on its existing gas fields. Gas production halves by 2035, demand must fall by 61 PJ – roughly the annual energy use of 1.8 million homes – with constrained gas-fired electricity generation and food producers and manufacturers facing forced switching.
This scenario confirms that in a future without LNG, natural gas remains the primary backstop for electricity generation.
With natural gas supply already tightening, choices have to be made. Without new sources of domestic gas coming online, business use of gas could be cut back in dry years to keep electricity flowing.
“The transition to electricity for food production, manufacturing, and petrochemicals – industries that employ thousands of Kiwis – cannot occur overnight.” Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says. 
In the second scenario, LNG arrives from 2028. Relative to scenario one, this keeps prices lower and more stable, supports manufacturing, food production, and investment in new renewables by moderating price spikes.
“LNG changes the trajectory meaningfully, and we support getting it here,” Carnegie says.
“With modelled LNG, we would still need to see significant electrification or alternative fuels – as soon as 2027. More LNG supply than modelled could play a role in providing energy for industrials if economic.”
The study flags the 2030s as a critical period, with major gas fields nearing end of life and domestic supply projected to fall to around 23 PJ by 2050. Even small delays to new gas supply from any source, LNG or domestic natural gas, increase near-term risk.
“This tells us gas is essential for energy security for the foreseeable future. But it also tells us supply is continuing to decline – this is the alarm bell our organisation has been ringing for some time.” Carnegie says.
“This study is valuable because it shows what we're up against. LNG is part of the answer, and we support it.
But it also points to a gap that more domestic natural gas could potentially fill, with less complexity and exposure to global markets. That case hasn't been fully tested yet, and it deserves to be.” 
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South Sudan evacuation order removes humanitarian support for over 200,000 people and deepens catastrophic conditions – Oxfam

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

The evacuation order for the northern border town of Akobo East in South Sudan, which forced tens of thousands of people – including all aid agency staff – to leave at the weekend, has closed critical humanitarian programmes for over 200,000 people and deepened catastrophic conditions, Oxfam said today.
Evacuated Oxfam staff are reporting that even before the latest escalation, the humanitarian situation was already dire. Communities were under immense pressure, with many families surviving on wild fruits and leaves from the bushes. Akobo East hosts more than 188,000 residents and had been sheltering an additional 82,000 people displaced by conflict from other parts of Jonglei State.
With the evacuation order now forcing many to flee again, thousands of families are facing secondary displacement, leaving them with even fewer resources and support. More than half of those displaced people are women and children. The escalating violence and repeated displacement is increasing the threat of sexual violence and abduction, and also the risk of child marriage.
Shabnam Baloch, Oxfam’s South Sudan Country Director said: “This evacuation order has forced the closure of all humanitarian support, it is outrageous. Living conditions were already extremely bad and now exhausted people, many of whom were already displaced, have been forced to move yet again because of the spiralling conflict.”
On Friday 6 March the order was given by the South Sudan People's Defence Forces for everyone – including hundreds of UN and aid agency staff – to evacuate within four days. Alfred Chandonga, a local Oxfam Project Manager who himself was forced to flee, described the situation: “I was struck by the crushing sight of families being forced into the wilderness yet again. These were the same people who had arrived from Walgak only weeks ago, weary but hopeful that they could finally set down their heavy bundles and rest. Instead, safety vanished in an instant. There was no time to grieve the lives they left behind.
“Watching them walk into the haze of uncertainty was heartbreaking; I saw women, the true face of this crisis, balancing their entire lives in their hands. With infants on their backs and toddlers clutching their dresses, they moved toward a horizon where neither the next meal nor the safety of the path is guaranteed. They only know they must keep walking. The world cannot afford to look away.”
Most of the displaced population have fled to Tergol, a key border crossing point for South Sudanese refugees while 37,000 people have already crossed into the Gambella region of Ethiopia, on top of around 78,000 people who already arrived there in January according to UNOCHA in South Sudan. This additional population movement is placing even more strain on Gambella which hosts over 450,000 South Sudanese refugees.
Support to new asylum seekers from South Sudan has become increasingly difficult in Ethiopia due to immense pressure and reduced funding cuts as several organizations have had to reduce essential services due to lack of funding. Oxfam, which leads on providing clean water and sanitation services, has been forced to scale down its operations reaching even fewer people at a time when needs are increasing.
Ethiopia is facing its own overlapping crises from conflict to drought with some areas reporting crop losses due to the failure of the last two rainy seasons, leaving households empty-handed.
The South Sudan 2026 humanitarian response plan projects that over 10 million people – two-thirds of the population – will require some humanitarian assistance including 7.5 million people who are at risk of starvation.
Oxfam is calling on all parties in South Sudan to de-escalate the conflict and prioritise the protection of civilians and guarantee safety of humanitarian access to populations in need in Akobo county, including at the border with Ethiopia.