In Memory of Craig Muirhead
Craig Muirhead
8 September 1966 - 24 May 2023
Craig Muirhead was a major contributor to the New Zealand gas industry and part of the Nova Energy family for nearly three decades. His contribution and personality made him a well-known and respected figure among his peers. He was a gentleman and an entertainer and a family man through and through.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Craig served on the Board of the Gas Association of New Zealand (GANZ) for over a decade and was Chair of the Kennedy Educational Scholarship Trust (KEST).
He was a staunch advocate for its "green" future and a supporter of the GasNZ merger that had at its heart achieving a renewable future for gas. Emigrating from Scotland in the 1990s, Craig was the first employee of Nova Gas (the company that gave Nova Energy its name and pioneer of New Zealand’s first biomethane project).
He generously shared his time and knowledge, demonstrating a genuine commitment to the learning and development of others, actively encouraged new talent to enter the industry, and is leaving a lasting impact on its growth and evolution.
Craig (middle - in white hat) on a training day in Hastings
Craig’s team at Nova say “We were lucky to work for him, he was funny, really good at spontaneous good-hearted jokes. He had a vast knowledge of the Gas Industry, and he shared that knowledge with ease and total enjoyment”.
As the first employee of Nova Gas, having joined in 1996, his leadership played a pivotal role in the company's early success. Craig took on the responsibility of building, operating, and maintaining gas pipelines. Nova's groundbreaking work with landfill gas and natural gas disrupted the industry, introducing gas network competition and driving down prices. Nova appreciates Craig’s work and notes further achievements including substantial operational improvements to the Dunedin LPG pipelines that led to significant UFG reduction.
Craig's confidence, empathy, innovation, and camaraderie will be missed by his Nova colleagues.
He is remembered at GANZ by his Board colleagues as always thoughtful and constructive, and his contributions being laced with positivity and good humour. Board colleague Stuart Dickson, says he was persuasive, including convincing Stuart over coffee to succeed him as GANZ Chair.
In addition to GANZ and KEST, Craig was also an active member of the NZ Institute of Gas Engineers Council and President from 2005 to 2007, connecting the Institute's New Zealand and UK chapters, and will be greatly missed by his engineer peers.
Craig was social and an entertainer, delighting his peers with his singing and impersonations. His Tommy Cooper routine is remembered well. His performances had his friends in stitches, including himself, well before the punchline.
Craig’s contribution, friendship, and unique personality have left an indelible mark on the gas sector and a void that will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.