A new Government paper suggests gas demand could outpace supply before the turn of the decade.
The briefing from Resources Minister Shane Jones delivers a strong warning for the coming years.
It says, unless the country finds new gas or alternative power generation, there won't be enough gas from 2029.
Jones told Mike Hosking there will be some available, but it will be snapped up by industrial companies.
He says the crisis will be caused by businesses which continue to be reliant on gas.
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