Kapuni

After the Kapuni gas field was discovered in 1959, the processing infrastructure was built and began operating in 1970. Gas and condensate (liquid hydrocarbons) are separated by the Shell Todd Oil Services plant, and the gas is delivered to the adjacent Natural Gas Corporation, which distributes gas around the country. The condensate is transferred by pipeline to Port Taranaki, where it is shipped to Marsden Point oil refinery near Whangarei. Since operations began at Kapuni, a total of 16 wells have been drilled, including the highly successful Kapuni 14 in 1988.

History: Swiss immigrants settled around Kaponga and Kapuni in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and a number of their descendants still farm in the area.

Near Kapuni is Te Ngutu-o-te-manu domain – the site of the battle where, in 1868, Maori leader Titokowaru successfully routed an invading force of armed constabulary and forest rangers. Flamboyant Prussian soldier Gustavus von Tempsky was killed in this battle.

Kapuni also holds an important place in New Zealand’s energy history. In 1959, drilling discovered a major natural gas and condensate field nearly 4km
underground, marking New Zealand’s first substantial modern petroleum discovery. Production began in 1970, with gas transported by pipeline north to Auckland and south to Wellington. The Kāpuni Gas Field remains New Zealand’s oldest producing natural gas-condensate field, giving this small rural locality a significant place in the country’s industrial history.