Matahio NZ awarded 10-year Puka Petroleum Mining Permit

New Plymouth, New Zealand, 13 August 2026 — Matahio Energy is pleased to announce that New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZP&M) has awarded Matahio NZ a 10-year petroleum mining permit (PMP) covering approximately 19 square kilometres of onshore Taranaki, including the Puka field and the Oru prospect. Resources Minister Hon. Shane Jones announced the grant on 13 August 2026, describing it as a positive signal for momentum in New Zealand's petroleum sector.

Supporting New Zealand’s energy security

The Puka permit forms part of Matahio NZ's wider response to New Zealand's energy security challenges and the need for new domestic gas supply. Alongside its Sidewinder gas storage trial and ongoing investment across the Taranaki Basin, Puka reflects a critical part of the company’s efforts to bring new gas to the domestic market and oil production for export. Through disciplined investment and technical innovation, Matahio is strengthening energy resilience while supporting local capability and economic activity, at a time when New Zealand needs both.

Collaboration unlocks a viable pathway

Discovered in 2012, Puka remained outside Matahio's near-term development plans under conventional economics. Collaboration between Matahio's Kuala Lumpur-based commercial and technical teams and its New Zealand team has reworked the development concept, identifying a lower-cost restart pathway for the three existing wells. This shifts Puka from uneconomic to a viable near-term contributor, embodying Matahio’s ethos of progressive energy: practical innovation, partnership, and every-barrel-every-dollar discipline that underpins how the company approaches all its assets.

Towards a more integrated Taranaki development

A restart at Puka, integrated with a potential future development at Oru, could unlock commercial benefits through tie-back synergies with Matahio’s existing processing and export infrastructure at Cheal. This integrated approach could maximise established infrastructure, improve efficiency, and support continued investment and positive economic impact in Taranaki. Commenting on the award, Matahio Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wai-Lid Wong said:

“The award of the Puka PMP is an important milestone for Matahio New Zealand. It reflects the commitment and collaboration of our New Zealand and Kuala Lumpur teams, who challenged the conventional development model and found a smarter, more efficient pathway to bring Puka back towards production.

“It also strengthens the foundations for a more integrated future across the Taranaki acreage, including Cheal and the Oru prospect. By combining technical ingenuity, commercial discipline, and operational excellence, we aim to deliver reliable energy, create lasting value and contribute positively to the local community. I thank our teams for bringing Matahio NZ’s gas strategy forward, and Minister Jones and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for their constructive engagement and collaboration.”

ABOUT MATAHIO ENERGY

Matahio Energy is a progressive, independent energy company with a presence across Southeast Asia and Australasia, including onshore Taranaki (New Zealand), the Galoc field (Philippines), and Sinphuhorm and Nam Phong (Thailand). Matahio's approach combines disciplined operational execution with a willingness to rethink conventional development economics, in service of responsible, near-term growth.

On 8 April 2026, Matahio entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Sunda Energy for the 100% divestment of our New Zealand business (MENZL), subject to the New Zealand government’s consent for the change of control and completion of the transaction.

Media contact: Sue D’Cruz | [email protected]