Energy hardship
There are many underlying, and often complex, causes of energy hardship and any solution will need to address these issues across a number of fronts.
On this page
There are a number of initiatives underway across government that are helping address energy hardship. This section includes some initiatives MBIE is progressing based on recommendations in the 2019 Electricity Price Review.
The Electricity Price Review webpage outlines other MBIE-led work to create a more consumer-focused electricity market, more affordable prices and better prepare the market for future changes, based on the review’s recommendations.
MBIE’s Energy Hardship Update is our new regular e-news about efforts to reduce energy hardship in New Zealand.
Subscribe to the Energy Hardship Update(external link)
Previous issues are available on the Energy Hardship Update webpage.
In this section
Support for Energy Education in Communities Programme
The Support for Energy Education in Communities (SEEC) Programme is part of a suite of new government initiatives to lift people out of energy hardship. The second funding round is now open.
Defining energy hardship
MBIE is working to develop an agreed definition of energy hardship, and associated indicators to measure and track energy hardship over time.
Energy hardship expert panel and reference group
Two specialist groups are being established to support government as part of its work to alleviate energy hardship in New Zealand.