The National MP for Whangarei, Phil Heatley, has told the New Zealand Refining Company it can be confident about a secure supply of electricity and natural gas.
Mr Heatley was standing in for Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee at a function at the Marsden Point oil refinery marking the completion of an expansion project costing $190 million.
Mr Heatley said the Government was committed to maintaining and improving the lines and pipelines needed to power the refinery.
Northland's largest consumer of electricity, it is supplied by a single line from Auckland, and uses natural gas to fire its oil furnaces.
The latest expansion has boosted the volume of crude oil it can process by 40% and its overall output of diesel, petrol and jet fuel by 15%.
The company says the expansion will enable it to provide about 80% of the country's fuel needs and reduce New Zealand's dependence on overseas refineries for some products.
