A talk in Wānaka is offering homeowners guidance on moving away from gas following news that New Zealand’s natural gas supplies are projected to run out this year.

Electrify Wānaka’s free event tomorrow (Thursday January 15) will provide practical tips for reducing household energy costs through electrification and feature insights from Rewiring Aotearoa and the Electric Homes Report.

Electrifying a home means replacing current uses fueled by natural gas, propane, gasoline, or fuel oil with electric appliances.

While lights, dishwashers and ovens may be electric, there are still many households which use gas for water heating, space heating, plus petrol and diesel for driving.

Transitioning households away from gas is one of Electrify Wānaka’s key priorities, the organisation’s co-founder Jonathan Holmes said.

Recently revised MBIE data revealed New Zealand’s natural gas supplies have already fallen 27 percent since 2024 and, although the government is investing in new fields, they won’t deliver immediate relief.

Using renewable energy is “not just an environmental argument anymore; it's also an economic one”, he said.

The talk will focus on the practical and financial benefits of electrification, providing guidance for people looking to future-proof their homes and manage rising energy costs. 

While there is still uncertainty about the future of New Zealand’s gas for industry and households, costs are expected to rise considerably, and electric systems will be cheaper to operate over their lifetime, if not always upfront, Jonathan said.

Learn more about it at tomorrow night’s talk, which will take place at the Wānaka Library from 5.45pm-6.45pm.

While it is free attendees are asked to reserve their spot.