Z Energy
1. Business / Trading Name
Z Energy Limited / Z Energy
2. Company number
12046
3. NZBN
9429040935874
4. Entity type
NZ Limited Company
5. Business classification
ANZSIC 4000: Fuel retailing
6. Industry Category
Oil and Gas
7. Year founded:
2010 – established as a Kiwi-owned venture after Shell’s exit.
8. Addresses:
Head Office:
3 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Postal:
PO Box 2091, Wellington 6140
9. Website URL
https://www.z.co.nz
10. LinkedIn URL:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/z-energy-limited/
11. Company Hub NZ URL:
https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429040935874
12. NZ Companies Office URL:
https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/co/12046
13. Social Media URLs:
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/zenergynz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenergynz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenergynz/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenergynz
14. Ultimate Holding Company:
Ampol Limited (Australia) – ASX-listed fuel supplier, acquired 100% of Z Energy in 2022.
15. Key Shareholders:
Ampol Holdings NZ Limited – 100% (Ampol’s New Zealand holding vehicle)
Lindis Jones – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since March 2023 (joined Z in 2010; previously CFO)
• Gregory (Greg) Barnes – Board Chair (appointed 2022). Barnes is also Ampol’s Group CFO, reflecting parent-company oversight.
• Nicola Law – Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Faith Taylor – Director (independent, appointed 2024)
17. Staff:
~2,235 employees (including corporate staff and retail network members, as of 2023)
18. Staff that have held previous government roles:
Haley Mortimer – GM Corporate Affairs; formerly Ministerial Advisor in Hon. Simon Bridges’ office (2017)
Esther Guy-Meakin – Manager Government Relations; ex-diplomat (Second Secretary at NZ High Commission in India), also senior roles in trade associations.
19. Past Employees
Mike Bennetts – Founding CEO (2010–2023), a 25-year BP veteran who led Z’s post-Shell launch. Stepped down in 2023 after facilitating the Ampol acquisition.
Peter Griffiths – Former Chairman (2010–2015), ex-BP NZ Managing Director, guided Z through its IPO and initial growth.
Gerri Ward – Head of Sustainability & Community (2011–2019), known for pioneering Z’s sustainability strategy (later moved to advisory roles at EY and climate initiatives).
20. Clients: Major Customers: Large commercial fuel buyers across sectors – e.g. airlines, trucking and logistics companies, mining and shipping firms, and vehicle fleets. (Z supplies jet fuel to airlines at NZ airports, diesel to trucking fleets, marine fuel, and bitumen to road contractors).
21. Industries/sectors represented: Downstream Energy (Fossil Fuels) – Represents interests of the petrol refining/distribution sector and service station industry. Also active in renewable energy transition(biofuels, EV charging, electricity retail) as part of the transport energy sector.
22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements
Policy Submissions: Regular contributor to government consultations – e.g. Z’s submission on the Climate Change Commission’s carbon budgets (March 2021) advocating EV charging incentives and biofuel uptake; input on the proposed Sustainable Biofuels Mandate in 2022 via MBIE.
Parliamentary Appearances: Appeared at select committee hearings on industry legislation as needed – for example, during the Fuel Industry Bill 2020 process following the Commerce Commission’s fuel market study. Z’s executives engage directly with MPs and officials to present the company’s position on fuel pricing, infrastructure and climate regulations.
Market Proceedings: Participated in the Commerce Commission’s Retail Fuel Market Study 2019, submitting that NZ’s fuel market was “workably competitive” and cautioning against heavy-handed regulation.
23. Affiliations:
Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC): Founding signatory (CEO Mike Bennetts was a CLC convener) – a group of 100+ NZ CEOs committed to emissions reduction and climate policy leadership.
Sustainable Business Council (SBC): Member of this BusinessNZ-affiliated council; collaborates on climate and sustainability initiatives with other major firms.
BusinessNZ Energy Council: Active participant in this industry forum shaping national energy strategy (Z hosts and speaks at Energy Council events).
NZ Chambers of Commerce: Partnered with regional Chambers on business programs (e.g. fuel discount schemes and SME network initiatives).
24. Sponsorships / Collaborations:
Good in the Hood: Z’s flagship community sponsorship program, donating NZ$1 million annually to local charities via its stations. (Since 2012, over $10 million has been given to community organisations.)
EV Charging Rollout: Collaboration with the government’s EECA agency – co-funded installation of electric vehicle fast-chargers at Z stations through the Low Emissions Transport Fund.
Emirates Team New Zealand: Official fuel supplier partnership for the NZ sailing team (America’s Cup), providing low-sulphur diesel and support in 2020–21.
Sustainable Business Network (SBN): Teamed up on environmental projects (e.g. Auckland’s Puhinui ecological restoration) linking Z staff with community sustainability efforts.
Sponsors The Spinoff’s “Bulletin” newsletter.
25. Events (Organised/Hosted):
Energy Leaders Series: Hosted high-profile panel discussions with BusinessNZ Energy Council – featuring Z executives and industry experts on the future of energy (e.g. 2024 series on decarbonisation).
Stakeholder Forums: Regular “Investor Day” presentations and public webinars (often around annual results) to discuss Z’s strategic direction on climate transition and policy engagement.
Community Engagement Events: Local site-level events for Good in the Hood and safety initiatives, bringing together Z staff, customers and community groups (e.g. charity showcase days at stations).
26. Political Donations None recorded.
27. Controversies:
Fuel Pricing “Fleecing” Allegations (2018): Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern accused fuel companies of overcharging “NZ motorists…being fleeced” as petrol hit record highs. Z Energy publicly defended its margins as not having increased, disputing the PM’s data. This led to a government-ordered market study into fuel competition.
Greenwashing Legal Case (2023–24): Consumer NZ, the Environmental Law Initiative and Lawyers for Climate Action sued Z Energy under the Fair Trading Act, alleging its “Moving with the Times” ad campaign misled the public about Z’s emissions reductions. The ads – claiming Z was “in the business of getting out of the petrol business” – ran while Z’s fossil fuel sales (and emissions) were actually rising. The High Court has allowed the landmark greenwashing case to proceed to trial.
Refinery Closure Backlash (2021–22): Z was a major shareholder in Marsden Point Refinery and supported its 2022 closure (conversion to an import-only terminal). Critics (including political figures) warned this decision undermined NZ’s fuel security and cost jobs. Z argued the move was driven by long-term demand decline and would not compromise supply, but it faced public and regional opposition.
COVID-19 Response Scrutiny (2020): During the pandemic lockdown, Z Energy considered taking wage subsidies (est. NZ$3.5 million for corporate staff) but hesitated due to reputational concerns in the profitable fuel sector.
28. Other information of note:
Regulatory Conditions on Merger: Ampol’s acquisition of Z in 2022 came with competition safeguards – the Commerce Commission approved the deal only after Ampol agreed to divest Gull NZ, an independent fuel retailer, to prevent market dominance[62†L60-L68]. (Ampol sold Gull to Allegro Funds in 2022 as a condition of the takeover[62†L62-L69].)
• Diversification into Electricity: Z Energy diversified beyond petroleum by acquiring Flick Electric Co., an online electricity retailer, in 2018. Z now fully owns Flick Electric as part of its transition strategy. This positions Z to influence not only liquid fuel policy but also New Zealand’s power sector (e.g. advocating for EV-friendly electricity tariffs).
• Supply of Government Agencies: Z holds government fuel contracts (e.g. All-of-Government fuel card programme), making the NZ Government a significant customer. This dual role – supplier to public sector and lobbyist on fuel policy – has at times raised questions about potential conflicts when policies (like fuel tax changes or emergency stock requirements) directly affect Z’s commercial interests.
29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Unclear – Z Energy qualified for COVID-19 wage subsidies in 2020. It reported revenue losses “well within thresholds” during the national lockdown.
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz