52589 (2025). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister for Resources

52589 (2025). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister for Resources: What, if anything, is the expected impact on broadening the scope of the $200 million co-investment in gas fund on gas prices for households and businesses?

Hon Shane Jones: Impacts on gas prices to assess the effect of the $200 million co-investment or broadening the scope of the fund have not been modelled. The business case for the Gas Security Fund concluded: Falling gas production is likely to impose cost on New Zealanders. This cost is expected to materially impact trade exposed industrial and commercial energy consumers that may face closure or require change to production to continue operating. Approximately $9 billion of economic activity is contributed by sectors that use gas as a primary fuel source, and reduced access to gas will impact this economic contribution and there may also be impacts for residential customers. Activities that accelerate or increase the volume of gas in the market would be expected to put downward pressure on gas prices.