Programme

Te Papa, Wellington
16–18 September 2026

Preliminary programme as at 25 August – all details subject to change.

Download PDF Version

Wednesday 16th
Thursday 17th
Fri 18th
Oceania Room
Fri 18th
Soundings Theatre

Wednesday 16 September

4:30pm — Registration Opens

A GasNZ Forum registration desk will be outside the Soundings Theatre, Level 2, Te Papa – which is the venue for the New Zealand Energy Future Debate.

5:30pm — The New Zealand Energy Future Debate

Soundings Theatre, Level 2, Te Papa

Please be seated early: the debate is being livestreamed by Stuff and will start at 5:30pm sharp.

Moderator: Lloyd Burr

Brought to you by

Stuff Logo

6:45pm–7:30pm — Welcome Reception

After the debate, join your GasNZ colleagues and members of the BusinessNZ Energy Council for a shared welcome reception, with drinks and nibbles in the Oceania Room.

Delegates are free to make their own dinner plans.

Thursday 17 September

Day One Sponsored by:

Oceania Room

New Zealand’s Approach to Its Energy Future

8:00am — Registration Opens

Oceania Room, Level 3, Te Papa

Coffee Cart Sponsor

8:30am — Welcome

8:55am — Keynote: The Energy Beneath the Economy – Systems Thinking for New Zealand’s Energy

New Zealand stands at a critical juncture. As domestic natural gas production declines and our energy system evolves, we face a fundamental question: what kind of economy can our future energy system sustain?

Energy is more than a market commodity. It is the biophysical foundation of the economy, shaping our industrial capability, resilience, export potential and future prosperity.

This keynote explores why systems thinking is essential to understanding the relationship between energy and economic development, and why the choices New Zealand makes today will determine not only how we power our economy, but what kind of economy we are able to build.

Larry Blair – LBC Consulting, and author of New Zealand Energy Substack

9:15am — Panel Discussion: Planning a New Zealand Energy Future

Our panel explores the theme of our keynote, considering what an energy strategy for New Zealand would need to do, how we might get there, and what else would be needed to take control of our energy future.

10:00am — Morning Tea, Networking and Trade Displays

Break Sponsored by

Gas Markets Update

10:30am — Natural Gas, LNG, and Biomethane

Downside surprises in natural gas production forecasts no longer seem surprising. Biomethane is here, and LNG looks like it might be coming.

John Kidd of Enerlytica examines what we know about the current supply and demand situation for these key gases, likely inflection points over coming months, and long-term market drivers.

John Kidd – Director, Head of Research, Enerlytica

11:15am — Panel Discussion: Perspectives on Our Natural Gas Production Future

Estimates of New Zealand’s proved, probable, and possible natural gas resources have changed dramatically over the past couple of years, triggering significant shifts in New Zealand’s energy markets. Hear directly from the market participants on their view of likely domestic production of both natural gas and biomethane resources over coming years.

12:00pm — LPG Supply and Market

LPG demand is high and customer numbers are strong. What does the current market balance look like? Will LPG supply be affected by domestic gas field declines? Liquigas, New Zealand’s main LPG logistics provider, and Elgas/Linde, a major LPG wholesaler, examine the current and future LPG markets.

12:25pm — Industrial Gas – An Essential Enabler of New Zealand’s Energy Future

Dig into the important, but under-appreciated role that industrial gases play in New Zealand’s overall energy mix.

Aneesh Shinde – Business Manager – Engineering, Linde

12:45pm — Lunch

Coffee Cart Sponsor

Managing the Changing Role of Gas

1:30pm — An LNG Import Facility for New Zealand

The Government has promised an LNG import facility for New Zealand. Technically and commercially, what would be involved? What is feasible? What will the regulatory regime be? What might the impact be on our energy markets? Alan Young will update us on what is known, and what remains unknown.

Alan Young – Director, Enerlytica

1:50pm — Panel Discussion: If Not LNG, Then What?

The proposal to import LNG is surrounded by conflicting studies. Proponents describe it as prudent insurance; detractors decry it as foolish and irresponsible. Our panel of experts seek to distil fact from fiction, and legitimate uncertainty from misinformation.

2:30pm — Future Challenges as Natural Gas Declines: Gas Industry Company Focus Areas

An update on the Gas Industry Company’s work programme, which has three elements focussing on natural gas decline and its impacts:

3:05pm — Afternoon Tea, Networking and Trade Displays

Break Sponsored by

3:35pm — The Diverse Contribution of Gas to Our Economy – Presentations and Panel Discussion

Businesses discuss their current gas use and their strategies to manage their future energy needs.

Facilitator: Mo Ehsan – National Sales Manager, Linde New Zealand

4:50pm — Day One Round-Up

Jeffrey Clarke – Chief Executive, GasNZ

5:00pm — Close of Day One

GasNZ Forum Dinner — Icon, Level 2, Te Papa

Catch up with your colleagues, enjoy good food and wine, hear an inspiring speaker, and relax at our GasNZ Forum dinner, held at Te Papa’s Icon venue, with sweeping harbour views.

Note: The GasNZ Forum Dinner is separately ticketed. If you wish to attend and did not purchase a ticket with your Forum registration, please contact gasnzforum@avenues.co.nz.

6:00pm

6:30pm

Doors open

Dinner commences

Our guest speaker is Bob Weston, Director – Future Business at Entec, a New Zealand provider of products and services for the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment, gas detection, and rotating equipment.

Bob will share the story of how he grew Entec’s revenue 10-fold over 12 years, and the process of industry, product and service diversification that Entec has been through. Hear some of the personal and professional highs and lows he experienced over this time, and his key takeaways from the journey.

Dinner Speaker sponsor:

9:30pm

Dinner concludes

Friday 18 September

Day Two Sponsored by:

Oceania Room Programme

Running on New Zealand-Made Energy

Coffee Cart Sponsor

8:30am — Welcome

8:45am — Electrifying Homes and Vehicles

Mike Casey, the ubiquitous head of Rewiring Aotearoa, presents the “why” and the “how” of Rewiring Aotearoa’s recent report: Electric Homes and Vehicles: a vision of a transformed economy, where all residential gas users transition onto rooftop solar, battery, and electric vehicles.

Mike Casey – Chief Executive, Rewiring Aotearoa

9:15am — Panel Discussion: Should New Zealand Be Encouraging Residential Gas Users to Switch?

What would a mass conversion of residential gas users to solar electricity mean for our overall energy infrastructure, and consumer costs? Should New Zealand be actively encouraging some consumers to “go solar”?

10:00am — Morning Tea, Networking and Trade Displays

Break Sponsored by

From 10:30am, programme streams are held simultaneously in both the
Oceania Room and Soundings Theatre.

Oceania Room Programme — Biogas and Biomethane

10:30am — Experience with Biogas and Biogas Upgrading – Presentations and Panel Discussion

12:15pm — Implementing the Biomethane Strategy and Action Plan

GasNZ’s Biomethane Strategy and Action Plan defines clear, achievable targets for New Zealand’s biomethane production, and sets out the actions for policy and other interventions to achieve those targets.

Chase Hancock – Principal Policy Advisor, GasNZ

12:30pm — Lunch

Coffee Cart Sponsor

1:15pm — Powerco Network Initiatives

Network Vulnerability Assessment: Hear about Powerco’s assessment of customer connections and trends. Are some gas networks at risk or vulnerable? How should those risks be addressed?

Caitlin Tromop van Dalen – Network Reliability Engineer – Gas, Powerco

SELMA leak detection vehicle: Efficiencies and benefits of deploying mobile laser technology for methane leak detection on the Powerco network.

Xavier Hey – Program & Process Performance Manager, Powerco

1:45pm — Gas Users and the Future of Gas

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) presents a demand-side perspective of what the gas sector should be thinking about: who, where and what are the challenges and opportunities for gas users in the future?

Paul Bull – Manager, Regional & Sector Partnerships, Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority

2:00pm — Let Your Workers Surprise You

Sometimes, it requires real commitment to help workers to overcome challenges and grow. But the rewards and outcomes can be well worth the investment. Stuart Price, Chair of GasNZ’s Gas Training Committee, shares some workplace experiences.

Stuart Price – Business Development Manager, Omexom

2:20pm — The Energy and Infrastructure Skills Board

Sheree will provide an update on the Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board, highlighting new vocational education initiatives, workforce development priorities, and opportunities to strengthen capability across New Zealand’s energy industry.

Sheree Long – Energy & Extractives Portfolio Lead, Energy and Infrastructure Skills Board

2:35pm — The Buck Stops With You

Some health and safety obligations cannot be delegated by directors and officers. What does this mean in your workplace? If you aren’t familiar with how these obligations were clarified in the Ports of Auckland decision, you need to pay attention to this session.

Also covered are recent amendments to the HSWA that are of particular relevance to both contractors, and firms engaging contractors.

Stacey Shortall – Partner, MinterEllison

3:00pm — Afternoon Tea, Networking and Trade Displays

Break Sponsored by

3:30pm — Insights into Consumers and Gas

Clarus has conducted detailed consumer sentiment surveys for six years. What do Kiwis really think about gas, and how has this evolved?

Richelle Ashman – Marketing & Communications Manager, Clarus

3:50pm — Wrap Up and Farewell

Jeffrey Clarke – Chief Executive, GasNZ

4:00pm — Close of GasNZ Forum

Friday 18 September

Day Two Sponsored by:

Soundings Theatre Programme

8:00am — GasNZ Annual General Meeting 2026

The 2026 GasNZ AGM is open to members only. Materials will be separately sent to principal member contacts, as usual.

8:30am–10:30am — No Sessions

Please refer to the Oceania Room programme.

LPG — 222 kg Installations

10:30am — LPG Process Safety – 222 kg Installations – Presentations and Panel Discussion

GasNZ is preparing to release a new Code of Practice for single- and multi-cylinder 222 kg LPG installations.This session introduces the new Code of Practice and explores practical compliance and installation considerations.

  • The new Code of Practice for 222 kg LPG installations
  • Practical experiences, insights and concerns relating to 222 kg installations
  • A gasfitter’s perspective
  • Tales from a compliance certifier: be careful out there!
  • The regulator’s perspective

Lukas Erasmus – LPG Asset Manager, Genesis, and others

Facilitator: Peter Gilbert – Former Exec Director of LPGA and GANZ

12:30pm — Lunch

Coffee Cart Sponsor

Fleet & transport innovations and efficiency

1:15pm — LPG Fleet and Transport Innovations – Presentations and Panel Discussion

Facilitator: Neil Crookes – General Manager LPG Operations, Genesis

2:35pm Business Fuel Efficiency: Cutting Costs and Building Resilience

How can businesses get more from every litre of fuel they use? EECA will explore practical opportunities to improve fuel efficiency across sites and vehicle fleets, helping businesses reduce operating costs, and strengthen resilience. EECA will also share a view on making the most of existing infrastructure and new fuel solutions to support gas users.

Richard Briggs – GM of Delivery and Partnerships, Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority

3:00pm — Afternoon Tea, Networking and Trade Displays

Break Sponsored by

3:30pm onwards — No Sessions in Soundings Theatre

Please refer to the Oceania Room programme.