The pipes are staying - now let's fill them with something better
OPINION: by Alzbeta Bouskova-Houghton, Convenor of Gaseous Biofuels, BANZ
First published in The Post, 14 March 2026
Why the difference matters between LNG and biomethane
The New Zealand government has sent an unambiguous signal: the gas network is here to stay. The $1 billion commitment to build an LNG import terminal at Port Taranaki is a hedge against dry-year electricity shortfalls, a backstop for industry, a statement of energy security. But above all, it’s a declaration that the pipes running beneath our cities and farms have a long-term future.
If the pipes are staying, let’s fill them with homegrown, nation-building solutions that cut emissions, create regional jobs, and strengthen export competitiveness, starting with biomethane.