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This section shows how the gas industry is regulated by laws. The objective is primarily safety, however consumer rights and industry obligations are also covered.
The gas industry is primarily regulated through the Gas Act and related legislation and regulations. The current policy and regulatory environment was established in October 2005 and is monitored and overseen, from a government point of view, by the MED (Ministry for Economic Development).
The Gas Association’s responsibilities around safety and reliability, and to this end, it has programmes working with its members on a range of safety activities including worker competency.
An industry owned body, the Gas Industry Company (GIC), has responsibility for commercial matters and is charged with making recommendations to the Minister of Energy which meet the Government’s objectives for the gas industry as detailed in the Gas Act (1992) and the Government Policy Statement (October 2004) on Gas Governance.
The policy settings for the gas sector are designed to ensure that gas is delivered to existing and new customers in a safe, efficient, fair, reliable, and environmentally sustainable manner.
Particular importance is attached to ensuring suitable arrangements are in place that address the security of gas supply issues confronting New Zealand with the decline of the Maui gas field – New Zealand’s largest field.
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