In a gas emergency — whether you smell gas, suspect a leak, or have a damaged appliance — knowing how to shut off your gas supply quickly can save lives. The process differs slightly depending on whether your home uses natural gas (piped from the street) or LPG (bottled gas in cylinders), but the core steps are straightforward. Always prioritise getting people out first, then deal with the gas.
Step 1 — Get Everyone Out and Eliminate Ignition Sources
Before you touch any valve, take these immediate actions:
- Evacuate everyone from the house, including pets.
- Do not operate any electrical switches — no lights, no fans, no appliances. Even a light switch can spark and ignite gas.
- Do not use your mobile phone inside the house — step well outside first.
- Leave doors open as you exit to help ventilate the space.
- Do not smoke or use any open flame near the property.
Once you and everyone else are safely outside and well clear of the building, you can attempt to shut off the gas — but only if it is safe to do so.
Step 2 — Locate Your Gas Shutoff Point
Natural Gas (Piped Gas)
Your gas meter is usually located on an outside wall of your home, often near the front or side, in a small metal cabinet or recess. At the meter you will find a manual shutoff valve (also called an isolation valve or ball valve) on the incoming pipe.
- When the valve handle is in line with the pipe, gas is on.
- Turn the handle 90 degrees (a quarter turn) so it is perpendicular to the pipe — gas is now off.
Some meters have a lever-style handle; others have a slot that requires a flat-bladed tool or a special gas key. It is worth checking your meter now, before an emergency, so you know what you are dealing with.
LPG (Bottled Gas / Cylinder)
LPG cylinders are typically located outside, often in a cage or on a pad at the side or rear of the house. Each cylinder has a hand wheel valve on top.
- Turn the hand wheel clockwise (right) to close it — remember the phrase "righty tighty".
- If you have a manifold system with multiple cylinders, close all cylinder valves.
- There may also be a regulator with a built-in excess flow valve that trips automatically in a major leak — but do not rely on this alone.
Step 3 — Call for Help
Once you are safely outside and have shut off the gas (if it was safe to do so):
- Call 111 if there is any risk to life, fire, or explosion.
- Call your gas network operator or supplier to report the leak. For natural gas, this is typically Vector Gas (in the North Island) or your local lines company — their emergency number should be on your gas bill or meter cabinet.
- Do not re-enter the building until the gas company or Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) has declared it safe.
- Do not turn the gas back on yourself — this must be done by a licensed gasfitter who can check for leaks and confirm everything is safe.
Recognising a Gas Leak
Knowing the warning signs helps you act sooner:
| Sign | What it may indicate |
|---|---|
| Smell of rotten eggs or sulphur | Gas leak (odorant added to natural gas and LPG) |
| Hissing or whistling near pipes/appliances | Escaping gas |
| Dead or discoloured vegetation above underground pipes | Possible underground leak |
| Bubbling in wet ground near gas lines | Underground leak |
| Pilot lights that keep going out | Possible supply or appliance issue |
Natural gas and LPG are both odourised in New Zealand so you can detect leaks by smell. If you ever suspect your sense of smell may be impaired (e.g., you have a cold), treat any unusual hissing sound or appliance behaviour seriously.
Know Your Setup Before an Emergency
Take five minutes now to:
- Find your gas meter or LPG cylinders and locate the shutoff valve.
- Check what tool (if any) is needed to operate the valve and keep it accessible.
- Write the gas emergency number on your fridge or near the meter.
- Show all household members — including teenagers — where the shutoff is and how to use it.
WorkSafe NZ has general guidance on hazardous substances safety that is worth reviewing for household awareness.
After the Emergency — Getting Back On Safely
Once the all-clear is given, do not attempt to relight pilots or turn appliances back on yourself. A licensed gasfitter must:
- Inspect all pipework and connections for damage.
- Pressure-test the system.
- Relight pilots and check appliance operation.
- Certify the installation is safe before use.
This is not optional — it is a legal requirement under New Zealand's gas regulations, and your insurer may also require it.
When to Call a Professional
All gas installation, repair, and recommissioning work in New Zealand is restricted work that must be carried out by a licensed gasfitter registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). This includes:
- Any repair to gas pipework or fittings after a leak.
- Reconnecting or relighting appliances after a supply interruption.
- Installing, moving, or replacing any gas appliance or meter.
Homeowners may turn off a cylinder valve or meter isolation valve in an emergency — that is a simple manual action, not a regulated task. But everything beyond that shutoff requires a licensed professional.
If you need a qualified gasfitter in your area, you can find one through tradedirectory.co.nz.
Safety note: Never attempt to locate a gas leak using a naked flame or lighter. Use soapy water on joints and connections — bubbles indicate escaping gas — but only do this once the area is ventilated and there is no risk of ignition.