December 27, 2017

NEWS RELEASE www.jogmec.go.jp
Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation
Division in Charge: Planning and Finance Division
TEL：+81-3-6758-8001
FAX:+81-3-6758-8087
PR in Charge: Public Relations Division
TEL:+81-3-6758-8106

FAX:+81-3-6758-8008

Report of “JAPAN-NEW ZEALAND GEOTHERMAL WORKSHOP”
Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), GNS Science International Limited(GNS Science) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) held the “JAPAN - NEW ZEALAND
GEOTHERMAL WORKSHOP” in Rotorua, New Zealand, on the 20th and 21st of November 2017.
This was the second time for JOGMEC and GNS Science to host the event, and more than 100people joined from New Zealand and Japan. The workshop covered the fields of geothermaldevelopment, hot springs and geysers, and the environment, for each of the countries; and 14
speakers ranging from geothermal developers, local governments, research institutes, andrepresentatives from Maori and local community groups presented their achievements andexperience of sustainable geothermal development. JOGMEC and GNS Science also organized afield trip, which included visiting geothermal power plants, showing direct and cascade usage ofgeothermal, and geysers.
This workshop was based on the MOU signed the 16th of July 2015, between JOGMEC and GNS
Science. The MOU contained cooperative bilateral relations in order to facilitate technicalcooperation in the field of evaluation and mitigation of environmental impacts, the development ofsurvey methodologies, improving methods for management, the sustainability of geothermal
reservoirs, and promotion of public acceptance of geothermal developments.
New Zealand has more than 6 decades of history of geothermal power generation, and plenty ofgeothermal resources, with double the geothermal power plant capacity of Japan - even though
Japan has 50 years’ experience of geothermal power generation. The history of geothermal power
generation in New Zealand is due to the co-existence of hot water cultures that have been preservedby indigenous Maori tribes, and has resulted in 22% of primary energy production in the country.
Cooperation with local people and those responsible for the hot springs, is a critical success factor
for promoting geothermal development in Japan. This workshop focuses on the activities ofgeothermal developers and local government bodies of New Zealand and Japan in order to achievesustainable geothermal developments.
JOGMEC manages the activities for promoting continuous geothermal resource development
through cooperation with geothermal developers, local people, hot spring owners, and local

governments.
Date

20th and 21st of November 2017

Venue

Rotorua, New Zealand

Co-hostGNS Science and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

Speakers

14 speakers made up of geothermal developers, local governments,
research institutes, and local community groups

Participants

Over 100 people

For more detail, please refer the program.
1. Day 1
On day 1, Mr. Ian Simpson, Chief Executive of GNS Science and Mike Allen, a representativeof Geothermal New Zealand joined the workshop, and Dr. Greg Bignall made a key-note speech
about the utilization of geothermal energy in New Zealand through the collaboration withindigenous Maori tribes. Geothermal developers delivered speeches about the issues they faced,
and the way to successfully collaborate, for the purposes of geothermal development. They
discussed liaising with local government on policy and resource management regulations; andwith research institutes about the methodologies of hot spring monitoring, environment
assessment; and communicating with local communities and Maori about their geothermal
development activities and the cultural significance of hot springs.

Mihi Whakatau – Māori welcome to participants,

GNS Science, Greg Bignall

Taparoto Nicholson

Key note speech：”Utilization of Geothermal in NZ”

Oita Prefecture, Minoru Hirosawa

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Penny Doorman“Current Status and Efforts for the Development of“Managing Geothermal Resources Under theGeothermal Resources in Oita Prefecture”

Resource Management Act”

Beppu City Office, Hideki Hori

Yuzawa City Office, Tsutomu Suga

“The Approach and Current Situation of The“Recent Activities of the Development ofGeothermal Development in Beppu City”

Geothermal Energy in Yuzawa City”

Tuwharetoa mai Kawerau kit e tai,JOGMEC, Keita Yoshimatsu

Spence McClintock“Additional Potential of Micro seismic Monitoring in“Custodians of the Kawerau Ngawha”

Geothermal Development”

2.

Day 2
On day 2, two courses of the field trip focused on the demands of the geothermal developers
and local government. The field trips were intended for Japanese participants to not only

understand the geothermal history of New Zealand but to gain a better understanding of how topromote geothermal developments in Japan. This was achieved through demonstrating therelationship between the geothermal developers and the local Maori tribes people in New Zealandand by visiting geothermal power stations （ Mokai, Ngatamariki, Te Mihi ） the GNS Science
Research Center, Plenty Flora, Huka Prawn Park, Arataki Honey, and other geysers in Maorivillages.

Plenty Flora

Wairakei Power Station

Arataki Honey

Mokai Power Station

Ngatamariki Power Station

GNS Science Wairakei Research CenterTe Mihi Power Station

A statue of a Maori god