Electricity prices: Major New Zealand power users call for more efficient distribution
New Zealand's Major Electricity Users’ Group is calling for political parties to prioritize efficiency in the power distribution network ahead of the November election. They argue that rising network charges are the primary driver of increased household power bills.
Why it matters
Rising energy costs are a significant political issue, and the debate over infrastructure investment versus consumer affordability affects national economic policy.
Major power users want to see a political focus on the power distribution network. Photo / Getty Images
The Major Electricity Users’ Group wants the political parties to focus on making the electricity distribution system more efficient, with stronger scrutiny of network costs.
As it stands, power distribution makes up about 24.5% of consumers’ power bills, second only to generation (38.5%).
With the November 7 election approaching, the Major Electricity Users’ Group (MEUG) has made a case for stronger requirements for electricity networks to improve efficiency and innovation and deliver better value to help keep network charges under control.
In launching its 2026 policy “manifesto”, MEUG executive director Karen Boyes said New Zealand also needed urgent action to ensure there was enough firming capacity – generation that is not reliant on the weather – in the system.
She said New Zealand needed reliable electricity networks.
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