There's a view businesses have been taken by surprise by surging gas prices. 

Energy management company Optima and Business NZ's joint survey reveals gas prices have risen by more than 100% on average in the past five years. 

Nearly half report it's led to them reducing operations, increased prices, or cutting staff. 

Business NZ Energy Council Executive Director Tina Schirr told Mike Hosking they didn't know how quickly supply would dwindle. 

She says they knew there'd be moderate reduction over the next few years, but didn't think it'd be this steep over the last two years. 

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