While it's still very early stages, there could be potential to develop natural gas as a major export earner. Many New Zealanders don't realise that natural gas is in huge demand around the world as a lower-carbon fuel. Taranaki provides a great example of how the natural gas and oil industry has operated safely and successfully over 50 years. The search for new natural gas is becoming increasingly important given we have less than 10 years left of supplies. Without our own locally produced natural gas, the most likely alternative is importing more coal or lng from Australia, at higher cost and with greater emissions.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 23, 2019 16:52 UTC