NZ Geothermal Week 2025
A resounding success!
NZ Geothermal Week 2025, held from 28th July to 2nd August, brought together 720 industry leaders, professionals, students plus 350+ attendees from the community for an action-packed celebration of New Zealand's geothermal sector. With 17 diverse events spanning field trips, workshops, panel discussions, networking events and the annual NZGA Winter seminar, the week showcased the immense potential and innovation within the geothermal industry.
Highlights of the Week
Our Pathways Student Field Trip kicked off the event week, introducing local secondary school students to exciting career opportunities within the geothermal sector. Taupō Nui-a-Tia College, Tongariro College and Tauhara College got firsthand experience visiting industry leaders like Contact Energy, Mercury, MB Century, Western Energy and Earth Sciences New Zealand
The week's programme featured a range of technical panels and workshops, including:
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Earth Sciences New Zealand's 'From the Extreme Heat to the Little Bit Cool' showcasing research into supercritical geothermal potential and low-temp applications for industry decarbonisation
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Mercury 'Transforming Safety Culture" Introducing Mercury's new HazardID Training Programme, focussed on building a proactive safety culture across the industry.
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NZ's Geothermal Emissions: Technical examples of Mitigation and Emerging Opportunities, members of the NZGA Carbon Reduction Working Group presented tangible examples of emissions reduction
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Global Opportunities: Supporting International Market Access, explored New Zealand's potential to support international geothermal development; with panellists highlighting global partnerships, trade dynamics and the value of Aotearoa's geothermal expertise.
Always a highlight, the weeks sold-out field trips included tours of Contact Energy's Tauhara Geothermal Power Station, Nature's Flame Wood Pellet Plant and explored Geothermal Tourism at Whakarewarewa Village.
Networking events remain a core strength of NZ Geothermal Week; MB Century's networking evening set the tone for a week of collaboration and knowledge sharing, while the ever-popular WING Networking & Award evening recognised outstanding individuals through the Wahine, Tāne and One to Watch Awards.
The Industry Leaders Breakfast, featured keynote speaker David Downs (CEO, NZ Story), challenging the 90 attendees to thinking of Aotearoa, not as remote or small, but as a country at the forefront of clean energy innovation.
The Contact Energy Public Open Day was hugely popular, with 350+ members of the community receiving guided tours of the newly commissioned Tauhara Power Station.
NZGA Winter Seminar - Geothermal: New Zealand's Global Opportunity
The New Zealand Geothermal Association (NZGA) Winter Seminar, centred on "Geothermal: New Zealand's Global Opportunity," examining the opportunities of geothermal globally.
Field Trips and Industry Insights
Attendees had the opportunity network and exchange ideas at the GNS Science Geothermal Stakeholder Breakfast, they visited He Ahi, Taupō's new clean energy industrial park, showcasing innovative sustainability practices. The trip to Phoenix Recycling Group's new plant, officially opened by Minister for Climate Change Simon Watts, highlighted the circular economy in action.
The Geothermal Industry CO2 Workshop celebrated Aotearoa's geothermal sector's collaborative emission reduction efforts. Industry leaders discussed the challenges and opportunities for New Zealand's carbon reduction ambitions.
Other field trips included visits to major geothermal users like Tenon Clearwood and to Contact Energy's new Tauhara Geothermal Power Station, as well as an exploration of geothermal applications in Kawerau.
Community Engagement
The week concluded with the sold out Contact Energy Public Open Day, where anyone in the community could attend the guided tours of the Wairakei Steam Field and Te Mihi Power Station to over 350 enthusiastic participants.
720
geothermal industry attendees
219
businesses represented
49%
of businesses were from the geothermal industry
10%
of attendees were international
350+
people attended the Contact Energy Public Open Day
Looking Ahead
NZ Geothermal Week 2024 not only celebrated the industry's achievements but also paved the way for future innovations and collaborations. The event's success underscores the vital role of geothermal energy in New Zealand's sustainable future and reinforces the industries position as a global leader in geothermal expertise.
Thank you to all attendees, sponsors, and our co hosts New Zealand Geothermal Association who made this week an unforgettable experience. As we reflect on the insights gained and connections made, we look forward to the continued growth and innovation in the geothermal sector.
Event Objectives
NZ Geothermal Week is an annual event that celebrates and promotes the country's geothermal industry by bringing together key stakeholders. The event aims to:
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Increase awareness of New Zealand's geothermal resources.
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Highlight the Taupō Volcanic Zone as a center of geothermal excellence.
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Showcase the industry to local, national, and international audiences.
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Generate interest and excitement about geothermal opportunities for investment, growth, and employment.
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Provide a platform for industry forums.
The event supports long-term goals by encouraging industry engagement, promoting sustainable economic growth and fostering excitement about the world-class geothermal resource and expertises in the region.
If you are interested in getting involved with NZ Geothermal Week, including sponsorship, event ideas, hosting and speaking opportunities, or have a query about events, please contact Rick Keehan, CEO at Amplify or Kennie Tsui, CEO at NZGA.