Critical Contingency Management
Gas Industry Company administers the Gas Governance (Critical Contingency Management Regulations 2008) Regulations. The purpose of the Regulations is to achieve the effective management of critical gas outages and other security of supply contingencies without compromising long-term security of supply. The Regulations achieve this principally through the appointment of a Critical Contingency Operator (CCO) which has a range of powers, particularly to curtail gas consumption during critical contingencies.
Critical Contingency Operator
The Critical Contingency Operator role is performed by Persons approved by Gas Industry Company in accordance with a Service Provider Agreement (SPACCO). The role of the Critical Contingency Operator includes to:
• determine & declare the onset of a Critical Contingency
• call for load curtailment as required to balance the system
• monitor the supply/demand balance and adjust load curtailment directions as necessary, and
• determine when it is safe to terminate a Critical Contingency.
Critical Contingency Events
Critical Contingencies occur when there is a shortage of gas supply relative to demand. The pressure on the Transmission System can fall to a point where intervention is required to ensure that a sufficient supply of gas is maintained in the Transmission System to supply distribution networks and domestic consumers.
If pressures on the Transmission System reach certain thresholds, the CCO will declare a Critical Contingency. The CCO will issue instructions to the industry designed to ensure that the balance between supply and demand is maintained. The Transmission System Owner (TSO) remains in direct control and management of the transmission system at all times and activates processes and procedures contained in their Critical Contingency Management Plan (CCMP).
News/Updates:
Revised CCO Information Guide
The CCO Information Guide, which outlines the communication flows between the CCO and stakeholders during a critical contingency has been revised to align with the Gas Governance (Critical Contingency Management) Amendment Regulations 2026 that come into force on 24 September 2026. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback. The relevant documents and feedback form are available on the Publications page - scroll down to Consultation Documents.
Update on Critical Contingency Operator
Plant & Platform Consultants Ltd, the company currently appointed as New Zealand’s Critical Contingency Operator (CCO), was placed into voluntary liquidation on 3 September 2026.
The CCO function will continue uninterrupted under current arrangements. The same key personnel will continue to carry out the CCO role.
Gas Industry Co is working with the relevant parties to maintain continuity of the CCO service and will provide further updates if required.
Gas Governance (Critical Contingency Management Regulations) Amendment Regulations 2026
These Regulations were gazetted on 27 August 2026. They amend the Gas Governance (Critical Contingency Management) Regulations 2008 (CCM Regulations) and will come into force 28 days after the gazette date. The amendment is available on the Publications page.
Interested Parties
If you would like to register as an Interested Party and receive direct email notification of the declaration of a Critical Contingency, please register your request using the Contact Us form.