Energy Hardship Update - special issue

November 2021

Defining Energy Hardship consultation opens

While the term ‘energy hardship’ is frequently used, New Zealand currently doesn’t have an official definition. After much research, data analysis and stakeholder engagement, MBIE has developed a proposed definition and a potential suite of measures for energy hardship. We are now seeking people’s feedback. The aim is to develop a generally agreed definition and suite of measures that can be used to measure energy hardship in our communities and monitor whether it’s improving, and if initiatives to reduce it are working.

The 'Defining Energy Hardship Discussion Document' outlines our proposals, as well as providing in-depth explanations of our thinking, analysis and research. We have also developed a summary document, which gives a broad overview of the proposals and our work. 

Defining Energy Hardship Discussion Document [PDF 5.0MB]

Defining Energy Hardship Consultation Document [PDF 597KB]

You can have your say by filling in the online survey or through making a written submission. Submissions close 5pm, Thursday 16 December.  

Defining Energy Hardship online survey

We will also hold a webinar where people will be able to hear more about the Discussion Document and ask questions. More information about this will be available on the Have Your Say webpage on MBIE’s website, along with more information on the proposals and how you can make a submission.

Have your say on the Defining Energy Hardship consultation

If you’d like to be notified when the webinar details are available, email us definingenergyhardship@mbie.govt.nz

We have published some updated results from the 2017 Stats NZ paper 'Investigating different measures of energy hardship for New Zealand as a Technical Appendix'. This analysis is part of a wider work stream to analyse and improve data on energy hardship. We welcome your feedback on proposals for further analysis, which are detailed in the Discussion Document. 

Technical Appendix – Results for selected measures of energy hardship [PDF 1.8KB]

Developing an agreed definition of energy hardship was a recommendation that came out of the independent 2019 Electricity Price Review. It is just one of the initiatives recommended to government to help alleviate energy hardship in our communities.

Electricity Price Review

‘The Challenge of Net Zero by 2050’ – Otago Energy Research Centre symposium

We would like to share the invitation to attend the 15th Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Annual Symposium 2021 on 18 and 19 November, sponsored by EECA. This symposium, held at the University of Otago, brings together diverse perspectives on the challenges (and opportunities) associated with the energy transition.

Day 1 will contain a session on national energy modelling work across the country (co-organised with NERI) and Day 2 is focused on evaluating energy hardship, with contributions from across the energy hardship research community and government. A panel discussion will explore shared objectives of measurement and evaluation in the energy hardship space and the opportunities for alignment of approaches.

MBIE staff will present a session on Day 2 to provide an overview of our energy wellbeing work programme and next steps. There will also be a virtual keynote speaker from the International Energy Agency on its Pathway to Net-Zero by 2050.

Check the website to view the agenda and register to attend free of charge, either virtually or in person.

15th OERC Symposium 2021 – The Challenge of Net Zero by 2050 – Otago Energy Research Centre

Find out more

See the Energy Hardship webpage for more information about our work and progress updates.

Contact us

We welcome any thoughts or questions about this area of work, and any interest you might have to be involved. For further information, please contact the Energy Markets Policy team by emailing energymarkets@mbie.govt.nz.

This update is brought to you by the Energy and Resource Markets (ERM) branch, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. ERM is the steward of two regulatory systems, the energy system and the Crown-owned mineral and petroleum system. These systems are connected – we need resources to make energy and we need energy to extract resources.