Consultation: Improving product and consumption information exchange, EIEP13C and EIEP14C

The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (Authority) is improving access to electricity product and consumption information by updating the Electricity Information Exchange Protocols (EIEPs). We are doing this because access to accurate and timely data will promote better services and smarter energy choices for consumers.

EIEPs provide standardised formats that support the reliable exchange of information between participants, and between participants and other parties, including consumers and third-party providers. Our work to improve EIEPs 13 and 14 commenced in October 2025 and comprised a series of industry workshops and consultations in March and June 2026.

This new consultation, which opens today, seeks feedback on the last of our proposed EIEP changes. We propose:

• several minor updates to existing EIEP13C, which allows consumers and authorised third parties to electronically request a consumer’s personal consumption information. Updates include adding JSON as an acceptable file format and changes to how some of the data fields gather information.
• a format for the new EIEP14C, which provides a mechanism for a consumer or authorised third party to electronically request a consumer’s product information through the registry transfer hub. It introduces formats that support machine-to-machine information exchange and consumer authorisation.

Why EIEPs matter

The Authority is committed to improving consumer choice and to a future where New Zealanders can easily compare (and confidently switch and customise) their electricity services.

To achieve this, the electricity industry must be underpinned by a future-ready data infrastructure that empowers consumers to make well-informed decisions about their electricity – a key driver of competition.

Strengthening the EIEPs also supports ‘consumer data right’ (CDR – the right consumers have to access their data in real time) and the implementation of open electricity.

While the EIEP system will not deliver real-time information, it will support a more automated environment and give third parties a clearer basis for developing consumer-focused products and services. We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to ensure the improvements we make can inform standards development and implementation of open electricity.

Have your say

We're keen to hear your views. More information, including the consultation paper and details about how to make a submission, can be found here.

This consultation will close on 8 October, and we expect to announce a final decision later that month.