‍Natural gas market transparency legislated

3 June 2026

Parliament spent the Saturday of King’s Birthday weekend under urgency – passing the Gas (Market Transparency) Amendment Bill in the process.

Energy Minister Simeon Brown said the legislation will improve transparency of key information in the natural gas market, improving management of New Zealand’s “dwindling natural gas supplies”.,

The Act allows for regulations to be made enabling the collection and publication of gas market information.

The Minister says improving access to high-quality data is critical.

“New Zealand’s declining gas reserves and tightening supply are creating significant problems and uncertainty for businesses and threatening wider economic impacts.

“For too long, the information that the Government and sector have had on gas reserves, production and demand has been fragmented, incomplete and outdated which is making the situation even harder to manage.

“The market is becoming more volatile and uncertain. In this environment, access to reliable, timely information is vital.”

The new regulation-making power will enable the Government to collect and publish more useful, comprehensive and timely data to underpin better planning and investment decisions by the Government, sector and businesses, the Minister says. 

“This is part of the Government’s focus on fixing the basics and building the future by strengthening New Zealand’s energy security and supporting a more resilient economy.”

Consultation with stakeholders would determine what information should be collected and how it would be accessed and used, while taking into account compliance costs for market participants.