A lack of available gas - could force major fertiliser manufacturer, Ballance - to close its Kapuni plant for four months

Its gas supply agreement expires next month - and it hasn't so far managed to secure more at an affordable rate.

It makes about a third of the country's urea fertiliser.

Chief executive Kelvin Wickham says the company's need a long-term supply agreement after the shutdown - to stay afloat.

He says there's a line of sight to get through until next year and make a decision.

But he says the gas market is so dynamic at the moment, it's hard to know what supply and demand will look like 12 months from now.