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Retail & social agency protocol

The Electricity Commission facilitated a protocol between retailers and social agencies to complement the Guideline on arrangements to assist low income and medically dependent consumers. This protocol sets out the expectations of the parties, and what actions may be undertaken jointly to assist low-income consumers.

The objectives of the protocol are to:

• reduce the number of avoidable disconnections through communication between retailers and social agencies; and
• ensure low income consumers have access to information and tools to assist them in managing their electricity costs.

The following organisations and electricity retailers were represented on the working group that developed the protocol:

Citizens’ Advice Bureaux – Louise May
Contact Energy – Kerry McMillan
Genesis Energy – Lyn Grant
Meridian Energy – Alan Seay
Mighty River Power – Mark Carter
Ministry of Social Development – Janet Green
New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services – Jeremy Irvine
New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services – Colin Lewis
Salvation Army – Craig Fleury
Trustpower – Joanne Drake

David Close of the Commission chaired the working group.

This page is related to: Consumer Information.

Back to top Last updated on 20 October 2010