New Zealand

Direct use

(Daysh, et al. 2020)

New Zealand Geothermal Association (NZGA) - NZGA is a non-profit organisation that acts as a platform for information and networking with the objective of facilitating the development of geothermal resources in New Zealand.

Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science (GNS Science)  -New Zealand’s institution dealing with earth, geoscience and isotopes research to generate economic, social and environmental benefits.

The University of Auckland Geothermal Institute - University of Auckland’s geothermal hub that provides a wide array of geothermal research, testing and laboratory services, commercial and consultancy services, education and training both locally and internationally.

Geothermal Heat Pump Association of New Zealand - an industry group for geothermal heat pump stakeholders, working to promote geothermal heat pump technology; and provide a forum for members to communicate and collaborate.

Geothermal field dynamics - A research programme by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science (GNS Science) to determine the circulation time for high temperature geothermal waters to help in exploring the potential of geothermal systems.

New Zealand is contributing to geothermal development in other countries and regions across the world through partnerships and agreements to support various initiatives:

New Zealand supports the CDB GeoSmart Initiative, an Initiative developed by the Caribbean Development Bank to finance early-stage drilling in the Eastern Caribbean, by providing specialist drilling, geoscience and engineering advisory services.

New Zealand Africa Geothermal Facility - The Facility is implemented under the New Zealand and the African Union Commission Partnership Arrangement. It aims to support geothermal development in East Africa by providing technical assistance for geothermal development.

Indonesia-New Zealand Comprehensive Partnership for 2020-2024 - The agreement includes support for geothermal development through technical assistance, enhancing expertise and sharing information on business and investment opportunities in both countries.

Philippines-New Zealand Geothermal Cooperation - An agreement between GNS Science of New Zealand and Philippine geothermal company Energy Development Corporation (EDC) to cooperate in geothermal development and research including in modelling of geothermal reservoirs, management of databases, and assessment of new geothermal fields in both countries.

International Partnership for Geothermal Technology (IPGT) - IPGT is a forum for governments and companies from Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United States to collaborate by share experiences and information on geothermal projects.

Geothermal is considered as a water resource under the New Zealand law and is thus regulated through the Resource Management Act (1991), which is an environmental management legislation. Other guidelines to be followed in developing and utilizing geothermal resources are contained in Electricity Transmission (2008) and Renewable Electricty Generation (2011).

Code of practice for deep geothermal wells – A guide on best practices for the management of deep geothermal wells, include design and work practices. The code was adopted in the development of The African Union Code of Practice for Geothermal Drilling, in an effort to develop African geothermal resources in a sustainable manner.

Geoheat strategy of Aotearoa New Zealand 2017-2030 – The strategy seeks to develop projects with an annual capacity of 7.5 PJ of geothermal primary energy and generate 500 direct and indirect jobs associated with the new projects between 2017 and 2030.

Geothermal - Earth Energy – A database of geothermal energy in New Zealand including interactive geothermal map, heat pumps utilisation, electricity generation, case studies as well as technical report and publications.

Geothermal emissions in New Zealand – The carbon emission from the operation of geothermal power plants in New Zealand in 2018 was reported to be in the range of 21-341gCO2(eq)/kWh, with a median of 62 gCO2(eq), and the weighted average is 76 gCO2(eq)/kWh.

Submission on the discussion document accelerating renewable energy and energy efficiency – a submission by the NZGA on a key New Zealand policy document regarding the role of geothermal energy in realizing a Zero Carbon future in New Zealand by 2050.