Business NZ Issues Rare Plea for "Transition Loans" Amid Gas Crisis

Business New Zealand makes a rare plea for below-market rate loans to help firms transition from expensive, dwindling gas supplies to sustainable energy sources.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 16, 2026, 4:32 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Economic Stakes

A new report from the Business NZ Energy Council highlights the massive footprint of gas-dependent industries in the New Zealand economy:

Direct Impact: Approximately 8% of GDP and 264,000 jobs rely directly on businesses using gas.

Indirect Impact: Up to $36 billion in GDP and 400,000 jobs are linked to the wider gas-dependent supply chain.

Affected sectors include dairy, meat, food and beverage, textile manufacturing, and "hot house" agriculture. Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard noted that the problem is most acute in the Central North Island, as the South Island's reliance on bottled gas has shielded it from the most severe cost increases.

A "Politically Created" Problem