Photo: RNZA proposed liquefied natural gas terminal will bypass even the fast-track process in order to be built in time for winter next year, documents show. The Cabinet paper, released after the announcement, noted that "timing is very tight" to get the facility up and running in time for winter next year. Photo: suppliedEnvironmental Defence Society chair Gary Taylor said the LNG proposal and the timeframe "sounds like another rushed project, redolent of the [Interislander] ferry fiasco". The Cabinet paper referenced the BCG report several times, including its estimate of a $10/MWh saving on electricity prices. The Cabinet paper underscored the importance of not creating an ongoing dependency on LNG, which it said would risk an overall increase in power bills.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 11, 2026 19:47 UTC