Energy
Report points to 'energy hardship' for households
A government document released today shows more than 100,000 households are experiencing "energy hardship", spending more than 10 percent of their average income on power.
Petrol prices 'creep like rust' towards $2.50 a litre
The average price of fuel has reached a record 30-year high - and is set to continue rising.
When is a power pole too old and in need of replacement
One power pole in Dunedin was identified as needing replacing in 2015 but is still there three years later. With some power poles in Dunedin installed nearly a century ago, how many others are due for… Video, Audio
Power to the people? Group haggles for cheaper energy
Electricity bills, especially in winter, can be crippling for many households. We often hear that we could save money by switching providers - but it's not always clear which ones are cheaper. Audio
Power outage affects thousands of Wellingtonians
A power outage has affected thousands of Wellingtonians this afternoon. Audio
Should NZ introduce an energy price cap?
The government's Electricity Price Review is underway looking into whether consumers are paying too much for power. British lawmakers have recently adopted an energy price cap which will be set by the… Audio
Foresty industry told to grow, instead of cut trees for profit
The forestry industry has been told to rely on growing trees to capture carbon dioxide, rather than cutting them for timber, to earn money from forests on steep hillsides.
Middlemore Hospital computers four minutes from failure
An internal health board report says the computer systems serving Auckland and Northland's public hospitals were within four minutes of failing. It says this occurred during a power cut last year… Audio
Truck drivers told to avoid refuelling in Auckland
Truck drivers are being told to avoid refuelling in Auckland now the region's fuel tax is in place.
Electricity Authority pushes ahead with national grid pricing change
The Electricity Authority is standing its ground and pressing on with radical change to the way people pay for transmission of their electricity.
Claims Oil And Gas Exploration ban cost billions
The oil and gas industry group Pepanz, claims that right before government's ban on new offshore permits was introduced interest in oil and gas had begun to recover meaning that New Zealand… Audio
Power struggles - unfair sweeteners to switch back?
Small electricity retailers say their larger competitors are unfairly offering enticements to win customers back once they've switched. Nearly half a million power customers switched suppliers last… Audio
Woodchips used to pump CO2 into greenhouses
A new research project that's underway has the potential to give New Zealand's horticultural industry a big boost. Hot Lime Labs, through Callaghan Innovation, has created a way to use wood chips and… Audio
Call to end lubricant packaging waste
Getting rid of contaminated motor oil containers is set to get easier, for everyone from motor vehicle owners to big industry. Some of New Zealand's biggest lubricant brands have got together to… Audio
Sustainable housing: what can NZ learn from LA?
New Zealand's building standards are lagging behind other OECD countries, according to one of America's leading authorities on clean energy, sustainability and social innovation. Audio
Taranaki iwi open for business
With the end of offshore oil and gas exploration in sight and caps on dairy expansion on the cards, could Taranaki iwi be the fillip the province's ailing economy is looking for? The region's eight… Audio
Surge in electricity disconnections over unpaid bills
More people are having problems paying for power than three years ago, Consumer New Zealand has found.
The future of the electric grid in a carbon-free future
Transpower is preparing for major changes in the energy sector, from growing demand for renewable sources, to more households going off grid. Its latest report on the country's energy future - Te… Audio
Govt warned of 'chilling effect' over halting oil, gas permits
The government was warned by officials that if not handled well, its plan for future oil and gas exploration could have a "chilling effect" on investment.
'Rare earth' minerals potential for regions
Taupō and the West Coast have high prospects for "green minerals" used in electric vehicles and wind turbines, a new study has found.
