About us

The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko is an independent Crown entity, established on 1 November 2010 under the Electricity Industry Act 2010. We're tasked with governing the electricity market under the Electricity Industry Act 2010. Our statutory objectives are to:

• To promote competition in, reliable supply by, and the efficient operation of, the electricity industry for the long-term benefit of consumers
• To protect the interests of domestic consumers and small business consumers in relation to the supply of electricity to those consumers.

Who we are

Consumers' best interests are at the heart of everything we do. As a kaitiaki of electricity, we work to create an efficient and competitive electricity industry that works for the long-term benefit of consumers and New Zealand.

We regulate the electricity industry, set the market rules, promote market development and conduct operational activities to ensure the electricity system and markets run effectively.

What we do

Our strategy and priorities

In New Zealand most electricity is generated through renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, geothermal power and wind energy. In 2023, 88% of electricity was generated from renewable sources, making New Zealand one of the countries with the lowest carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation.

Over the past 20 years, Aotearoa’s electricity market has been praised domestically and internationally – it's considered world-leading. During this time, our work embedding a market-based regime has delivered significant benefits that is the envy of other jurisdictions.

The International Energy Agency said in its 2023 review of New Zealand’s energy policies: "New Zealand has a diversified energy mix, with significant production of both hydropower and geothermal. As the country embarks on an ambitious energy transition, it has many natural advantages, including an enviable renewable resource base. The key challenge will be to decarbonise end-use sectors through clean power and support investments in new technologies to achieve deeper emissions cuts across all sectors in the most economically efficient way. "

New Zealand featured as a top performer in the World Energy Council Trilemma 2024. This reflects Aotearoa's strong balance of energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.