Energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes
We’re responsible for advising the Government on energy efficiency and renewable energy policy for New Zealand. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is responsible for implementing programmes to improve the energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy by New Zealand homes and business.
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Trans-Tasman Equipment Energy Efficiency strategy
In early 2026, the New Zealand and Australian governments published an Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Strategic Plan.
E3 Strategic Plan [PDF 443 KB](external link) — EECA
The Strategy sets a long-term vision for improving the energy performance of appliances and equipment – to deliver practical benefits for households, businesses and the wider energy system. Across Australia and New Zealand, the Strategy will enable:
- better energy performance
- clearer consumer information
- support for ‘smart’ appliances to improve grid stability
- lower household and business energy costs.
The strategy identifies new opportunities to expand the programme’s impact, including support for smart appliances. Smart appliances can enable consumers to shift their energy use away from periods of peak demand, helping to take the pressure off the grid.
Together, these documents provide a clear and coordinated framework to ensure the E3 Programme remains responsive to rapid technological change, evolving consumer needs and emerging energy trends.
Minimum energy performance standards
Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Mandatory Energy Performance Labelling (MEPL) requirements help improve the energy efficiency of our products and help consumers choose products that use less energy and cost less to run.
Many products are covered by the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002. These products must meet or exceed set levels for energy performance before they can be supplied to consumers.
MEPS and MEPL requirements are developed jointly with Australia under the Trans-Tasman Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) programme.
Setting energy performance levels and mandating display of energy performance information creates a more efficient range of products for consumers to choose from by:
- encouraging manufacturers to continually improve the efficiency of their products
- preventing poorly performing products from being sold
- improving the average efficiency of products available here.
For more information, see EECA's website page on the regulations(external link).
The Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 have recently been updated to be more in line with Australian and international regulations.
Amendments to the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002
Warmer Kiwi Homes
Warmer Kiwi Homes delivers heating and insultation grants to low-middle income households.
For more information, including eligibility, see EECA’s website:
Community Renewable Energy Fund
The Community Renewable Energy Fund is delivering a community resilience programme of work to enhance the emergency preparedness and energy resilience of targeted community buildings that are used by the community in the event of an emergency, disaster, or severe weather event.
This fund is delivered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. Find out more:
Renewable energy funding for Māori and public housing
In 2021 the government allocated $28 million for the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund, which was established to trial small-scale renewable energy technologies in predominantly Maori housing and public housing through Kāinga Ora. Funding closed in 2024.
Key documents
E3 Strategy documents
E3 Strategic Plan – the long-term vision to 2035 [PDF 443 KB](external link) — EECA
E3 Implementation Plan – how priorities will be delivered [PDF 499 KB](external link) — EECA
E3 Workplan 2026 – the regulatory pipeline and priority projects [PDF 339 KB](external link) — EECA