Amendments to Electricity Industry Act raise penalties, introduce fines

• Ease the pressure of high power bills on Kiwis 
• Ensure fair prices for electricity 
• Afford families and businesses with confidence that they are not subject to overcharging 
• Spur competition while safeguarding customers 
• Align with the Commerce Commission’s current regime 

“New Zealanders struggling with high power bills deserve an electricity market that works for them, not against them,” Watts said. 

Government’s other work

According to the news release, apart from the amendments to the Electricity Industry Act, the government has also recently made efforts to: 

• Start the procurement process for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility to offer New Zealanders a more reliable supply 
• Apply the fast-track approvals process to new energy projects to boost supply and investments in new generation 
• Begin developing a regulatory framework to manage dry-year risk 
• Make the retail electricity sector ‘the next cab off the rank,’ pursuant to the Customer and Product Data Act 2025, to help Kiwis find affordable power plans more easily 

“These steps are about making sure New Zealand has the affordable, abundant, reliable energy our economy needs,” Watts said. 

In its news release, the government also shared that it has agreed to the appointments of the following new members – whose experience has encompassed energy markets and industry reforms – of the Electricity Authority Board: 

• Erik Westergaard as deputy chair 
• Anthony Baldwin 
• Benjamin Bolot 
• Murray Parrish 

“They will help ensure the Electricity Authority is well equipped to deliver better outcomes for consumers,” Watts said. “I’d also like to acknowledge and thank the outgoing Chair, Anna Kominik, and outgoing members Lana Stockman and Dr Cristiano Marantes for their service.”