Gas prices reflect the natural market tension between supply and demand. Recent higher prices reflect a set of variables that are expected to rebalance as we move into 2022.
A majority of natural gas in New Zealand is bought and sold via bilateral contracts, the details of which are not publicly available. MBIE publishes quarterly energy pricing data, which includes natural gas.
A small amount of gas (around 4% in 2020) is traded on emsTradepoint, so more detailed pricing information is available, however these prices are not reflective of the market as a whole.
These charts show quarterly information on all natural gas produced in New Zealand, which is predominantly purchased via bilaterial contracts. Both the pricing data and supply data are publicly available from MBIE’s website.
Tracking price fluctuations
emsTradepoint monthly gas prices
This chart shows average prices for gas and carbon traded via emsTradepoint each month. Approximately 4% of gas produced is traded through emsTradepoint.