What Firstgas Group does

Firstgas Group operates the regulated natural gas transmission and distribution network serving the North Island of New Zealand, delivering natural gas to up to 300,000 homes and businesses through high-pressure transmission pipelines (connecting the Maui and Kapuni gas fields) and lower-pressure distribution pipelines reaching 68,000 direct connections across regions from Northland to Wellington. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clarus, one of New Zealand's largest privately held energy groups, which collectively serves more than 500,000 Kiwi homes and businesses across its portfolio of Firstgas, Rockgas, Firstlight Network, First Renewables, and Flexgas entities.

Firstgas earns revenue primarily through regulated network access charges paid by gas retailers (including Pulse, Nova, Mercury, and Contact Energy) who use the pipeline infrastructure to deliver gas to end customers; the company does not sell gas directly to consumers. GTM is a hybrid of channel-partner (retailer-mediated) and direct-to-consumer (new connection applications via website and customer contact centre). Notable proprietary capabilities include the IANZ ISO/IEC 17025 accredited Measurement Laboratory, the BISEP pipeline isolation tool (first deployed in New Zealand at Awakau on the Maui pipeline), and renewable gas infrastructure including a biomethane upgrade facility at Reporoa (built with Ecogas) and a hydrogen blending pilot in Te Horo conducted from June to October 2025.

Strategically, Firstgas is positioning its pipeline assets for the energy transition through its Renewable Gas Pathway initiative, blending biomethane and hydrogen into the existing network, while exploring adjacent renewables such as the Tauhei solar farm joint venture with Harmony Energy. The core business, however, faces a structurally declining domestic gas supply outlook, creating a tension between stable regulated cash flows from existing infrastructure and the need to repurpose the network for renewable gases over the coming decades.

Name

Firstgas Group

Legal name

First Gas Limited

Website

https://firstgas.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Firstgas Group operates New Zealand's regulated North Island gas transmission and distribution network, delivering natural gas to 300,000+ homes and businesses via pipelines spanning Northland to Wellington. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Clarus energy group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Gas Distribution Utilities

NAICS

Natural Gas Distribution (221210), Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas (48621)

SIC

Natural Gas Transmisison & Distribution (4923), Natural Gas Distribution (4924), Natural Gas Transmission (4922)

akta.pro primary industry

Intrastate Natural Gas Transmission (TLAGACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interstate & Intrastate Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines (EUAAACAB), Gas Mains (Distribution Pipelines) (EUAJABAA), Service Lines, Connections & Customer Hookups (New Taps) (TLAGADAF), Service Line Maintenance & Repair (Customer Laterals) (EUAJAMAC)

Keywords

• Natural gas distribution
• Gas pipeline infrastructure
• Regulated gas utility
• Gas transmission network
• Renewable gas production

Headquarters

HQ city

New Plymouth

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Gas Transmission and Distribution Network Charges: Firstgas operates regulated gas pipeline infrastructure and earns revenue through network charges paid by gas retailers. As a regulated utility under the Commerce Act, revenue is determined through regulatory mechanisms for the transmission and distribution of natural gas to homes and businesses throughout the North Island.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Firstgas Group operates the regulated natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline network across New Zealand's North Island, delivering natural gas to over 300,000 homes and businesses. The company provides high-pressure transmission pipelines connecting the Maui and Kapuni gas fields to distribution networks, lower-pressure distribution pipelines serving end customers, new gas connection services, an IANZ-accredited Measurement Laboratory for gas meter calibration, and is investing in renewable gas initiatives including biomethane upgrade facilities and hydrogen blending pilots.

Product overview

Firstgas operates as a natural gas transmission and distribution utility, providing pipeline infrastructure that delivers natural gas to over 300,000 homes and businesses across the North Island of New Zealand. The company's core products are its Transmission Network (high-pressure pipelines) and Distribution Network (lower-pressure pipelines serving end customers), which together form an integrated gas delivery system. Supporting services include New Gas Connections for residential and commercial properties, a Measurement Laboratory providing IANZ-accredited calibration services for gas meters and pressure equipment, and Safety/Emergency Services. The company is also investing in its Renewable Gas Pathway initiative, which includes a Biomethane Upgrade Facility that converts organic waste biogas into pipeline-ready renewable gas, and a Hydrogen Blending Pilot project. Firstgas is part of the Clarus energy group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Natural Gas Transmission Network High-pressure pipeline infrastructure that transports natural gas across the North Island of New Zealand, connecting the Maui and Kapuni gas fields to distribution networks. Operated under Commerce Act regulation as the backbone of North Island gas delivery.
• Natural Gas Distribution Network Lower-pressure pipeline infrastructure delivering natural gas directly to over 68,000 homes and businesses across the North Island, from Northland to Wellington. Provides last-mile gas delivery to end customers.
• New Gas Connections Connection services for residential and commercial properties wanting to connect to the natural gas network, including application processing, installation, and retailer coordination. Standard connection timeframe is 6-8 weeks.
• Measurement Laboratory IANZ ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing and calibration services for volumetric gas meters, gas volume correctors, pressure gauges, portable gas detectors, and temperature calibration. Provides metrologically traceable results meeting New Zealand and international standards.
• Biomethane Upgrade Facility Facility at Reporoa that upgrades Ecogas biogas from organic waste into renewable biomethane, which is chemically identical to natural gas and is blended into the Firstgas network near Taupō. Built by First Renewables in partnership with Ecogas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivery of natural gas to 300,000+ homes and businesses across the North Island
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• GasNZminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Firstgas works with GasNZ (formerly Gas Industry Company) on industry initiatives including the Biomethane Strategy and Action Plan delivered to Government. GasNZ reports highlight the potential for renewable gas to meet half of New Zealand's natural gas demand by 2050.
• ClaruscoreOthersFirstgas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clarus, one of New Zealand's largest energy groups. Clarus encompasses multiple energy businesses including Rockgas, Firstgas, Firstlight Network, First Renewables, and Flexgas, servicing over 500,000 homes and businesses. Firstgas benefits from the group's shared resources, expertise, and investment in renewable energy initiatives.
• EcogascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Renewables (part of Clarus/Firstgas) partnered with Ecogas to develop New Zealand's first biomethane project at Reporoa. The facility upgrades Ecogas biogas from organic waste into renewable biomethane blended into the Firstgas network. Ecogas operates an organic waste processing facility, and First Renewables built the upgrade facility to convert biogas to pipeline-ready biomethane.
• Harmony EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Renewables (part of Clarus/Firstgas) has a joint venture investment with Harmony Energy for the Tauhei solar farm project, soon to be commissioned as New Zealand's largest solar farm.
• Ngāti Tama IwiminorOthersFirstgas has a longstanding relationship with Ngāti Tama iwi in the Mokau region where the Maui and Kapuni gas pipelines operate. The company supports the Mōkau Museum with funding to document and display taonga (treasures), natural history, and cultural heritage. A museum display highlights the history of Firstgas-owned pipelines and the company's relationship with the iwi.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Powerco: Powerco is a New Zealand gas and electricity distribution utility with a large North Island gas network serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers. It directly competes with Firstgas in gas distribution in overlapping regions and shares a similar regulated-utility business model.
• Vector Limited: Vector is a major New Zealand energy infrastructure company operating both gas distribution and electricity networks across the North Island. It is the closest direct peer to Firstgas in terms of regulated utility business model, North Island footprint, and gas-distribution customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Contact Energy: Contact Energy is one of New Zealand's largest energy retailers and a customer of Firstgas's network. While not a direct infrastructure peer, Contact is a relevant comparable on the NZ energy value chain and uses Firstgas's transmission/distribution to supply customers.
• National Grid: National Grid is a UK-listed regulated utility operating gas transmission and electricity networks, including active hydrogen-pilot programs. It is a broad incumbent comparable to Firstgas on regulated gas infrastructure and energy-transition strategy, although at much greater scale.
• APA Group: APA Group is Australia's largest natural gas infrastructure business, operating transmission, distribution, and storage assets. While geographically distinct, APA is a comparable regulated/transmission gas infrastructure operator with a similar asset-heavy business model to Firstgas.
• Mercury NZ: Mercury NZ is a major NZ energy retailer and generator, listed on the NZX, and accesses the Firstgas network to supply gas customers. It is a broader NZ-energy comparable rather than a direct infrastructure competitor.
• Genesis Energy: Genesis Energy is a major NZ energy generator and retailer and is comparable as a broader energy-market participant in the same North Island ecosystem. It is not a direct pipeline operator but operates within the same regulated and customer-overlap framework as Firstgas.
• Snam: Snam is one of Europe's largest natural gas transmission operators and an active investor in hydrogen blending and biomethane. It provides a useful international benchmark for Firstgas's renewable-gas transition strategy alongside its core transmission business.
• Enbridge: Enbridge is one of North America's largest natural gas transmission and distribution operators with extensive pipeline infrastructure. While much larger and more diversified, Enbridge is a relevant broad incumbent comparable on regulated gas transmission/distribution operations and capital intensity.

Regional players

• Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG): AGIG owns and operates gas distribution networks across Australia and is investing in hydrogen and biomethane. It is a regional analogue to Firstgas in regulated gas distribution and renewable-gas transition, although it operates in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Firstgas Group