{"id":354976,"date":"2026-03-30T09:39:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T09:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/354976\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T09:39:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T09:39:10","slug":"business-scoop-new-zealand-is-divided-over-a-proposed-project-to-build-a-terminal-for-imported-liquified-natural-gas-lng","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/354976\/","title":{"rendered":"Business.Scoop \u00bb New Zealand Is Divided Over A Proposed Project To Build A Terminal For Imported Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Press Release \u2013 Horizon Research<\/p>\n

Highest support for an LNG facility comes from voters for coalition government parties. 75% of ACTs 2023 general election voters support the development. Highest opposition comes from Green Party and Labour Party voters.\n<\/p>\n

While New Zealanders want energy security \u2013 they strongly oppose a Government proposal to levy a tax on electricity users to fund the project.<\/p>\n

37% support the development of an LNG import facility in New Zealand. This is the equivalent of around 1,442,000 adults.<\/p>\n

18% (676,000 adults) strongly support the development.<\/p>\n

26% (1,020,000 adults) oppose the development.<\/p>\n

16% (626,000 adults) strongly oppose it.<\/p>\n

Many are unsure with 23% (874,000 adults) saying they neither support nor oppose.14% (533,000 adults) don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

32% of under 35s neither support nor oppose and 22% are unsure, which are both significantly higher than total sample.<\/p>\n

Highest support for an LNG facility comes from voters for coalition government parties. 75% of ACT\u2019s 2023 general election voters support the development.<\/p>\n

Highest opposition comes from Green Party and Labour Party voters.<\/p>\n


\nJust over half oppose funding an LNG facility through a levy on electricity users<\/p>\n

52% (1,998,000 adults) oppose funding an LNG facility through a levy on electricity users.<\/p>\n

34% (1,310,000 adults) strongly oppose funding through a levy.<\/p>\n

17% (653,000 adults) support funding an LNG facility through a levy on electricity users<\/p>\n

6% (228,000 adults) strongly support a levy.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Highest support for funding an LNG facility through a levy on electricity users comes from ACT and National voters. However, opposition from ACT and National voters is higher than support.<\/p>\n


\nWho should pay?<\/p>\n

People think households should not be charged a levy and it should be funded by large users and the Government.<\/p>\n

35% (1,368,000 adults) believe a levy is unfair to households.<\/p>\n

29% (1,133,000 adults) think large users should pay most of the cost.<\/p>\n

28% (1,082,000 adults) say the Government should fund it instead.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Highest support for funding an LNG facility through a levy on electricity users comes from ACT and National voters. However, opposition from ACT and National voters is higher than support.<\/p>\n

Research method<\/p>\n

An online survey of adults living in New Zealand aged 18 and older, undertaken by Horizon as part of its public interest research programme. This aims to make New Zealanders heard.<\/p>\n

Sample sources<\/p>\n

Members of two nationwide Horizon Research panels and a third-party panel (used for source diversity).<\/p>\n

Fieldwork dates<\/p>\n

20 to 27 February 2026, before the US-Israel attacks on Iran and the folllow-on impacts on world oil supplies.<\/p>\n

Sample size<\/p>\n

1,048 adults.<\/p>\n

Weighting<\/p>\n

The total sample is weighted on age, ethnicity, gender, region, personal income and Party vote 2023 to match the New Zealand adult population.<\/p>\n

Maximum predicted margin of error<\/p>\n

\u00b13% at the 95% confidence level.<\/p>\n

Population estimates in the report<\/p>\n

These are based on the Stats NZ Census 2023 population of 3,865,235 people aged 18 or more. All population numbers are to the nearest thousand.<\/p>\n

Information on project provided to respondents<\/p>\n

Before answering questions about LNG, respondents were shown the following information:<\/p>\n

The New Zealand government plans to build its first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import facility in Taranaki by 2027\u20132028.<\/p>\n

The Government says that this will secure energy supply, stabilise electricity prices and support economic growth. The infrastructure costs would be paid for through a levy on electricity.<\/p>\n

Supporters also say that the LNG terminal complements New Zealand\u2019s renewable energy boom, providing a reliable backup without replacing renewable generation. It supports long-term planning for gas-dependent industries, reducing the risk of supply disruptions and extreme price volatility. The facility is expected to create construction jobs and long-term skilled roles.<\/p>\n

Some have raised concerns about public funding, long-term costs, and potential lock-in to higher gas prices. Also, that LNG may not be the most cost-effective solution for dry-year risk and urged alternatives. Some argue the levy is a \u201cgas tax\u201d and could result in electricity price rises for households.<\/p>\n

Environmental concerns include greenhouse gas emissions across the LNG supply chain.<\/p>\n

\nContent Sourced from scoop.co.nz<\/a>
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