Electricity Authority discontinues investigation of Switch Utilities Limited

The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (Authority) has decided to discontinue an investigation into Switch Utilities Limited (Switch), trading as 2degrees, Slingshot and Orcon.

Switch was alleged to have breached certain provisions of the Consumer Care Obligations of the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 when it disconnected the premises of a medically dependent consumer on 29 May 2025.

The Authority agreed with the investigator’s recommendation to discontinue the investigation and not lay a formal complaint with the Rulings Panel. The reasons for this decision include:

• The alleged breaches were not deliberate as Switch did not knowingly disconnect a medically dependent consumer.
• Switch took action to rectify the alleged breaches upon learning of the medically dependent consumer disconnection.
• Switch obtained no benefit or advantage as a result of the alleged breaches.
• Switch does not have a pattern of repeated or ongoing noncompliance.
• The investigator considers this to be a one-off event.
• Switch has taken a number of steps to prevent reoccurrence, and the likelihood of the event reoccurring is therefore considered low.
• Switch has been fully cooperative with the investigation and has shown remorse. Switch has acknowledged, accepted and apologised for the alleged breaches.

Full details of our decision can be found in this regulation 29 notice