New to the electricity distribution sector? We've brought together some useful external resources to help you understand how the sector works, who the key organisations are, how lines companies are regulated, and some of the major issues shaping the electricity system.
You do not need to read everything here. Think of this as a starting point — pick the areas most relevant to your role and come back to the rest as you build your knowledge.
Understanding the electricity sector
Electricity Networks Aotearoa (ENA)
That's us! We represents New Zealand's lines companies. Our website includes information about the role of electricity distribution networks and the issues we are working on across the sector.
Two useful places to start are:
- ENA's sector glossary — an introduction to some of the terminology commonly used across the electricity sector.
- ENA's latest briefing to the incoming Minister — an overview of key priorities and issues facing electricity distribution.
Electricity Engineers' Association (EEA)
EEA supports good practice, capability and safety across New Zealand's electricity supply industry. Its resources are particularly useful for people working in technical, engineering, health and safety, and asset management roles. Visit the EEA website
Energy Trusts of New Zealand (ETNZ)
ETNZ represents consumer and community trusts that hold ownership interests in a number of New Zealand lines companies. Visit the ETNZ website
Transpower
Transpower owns and operates New Zealand's national electricity transmission grid and operates the power system. Its educational resources provide a useful introduction to how electricity moves around New Zealand. Explore Transpower's educational resources
Regulation and government
Electricity distribution is shaped by several government agencies and regulators. The organisations below are useful starting points for understanding the regulatory environment.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
MBIE provides policy advice to the Government and oversees the regulatory system for energy markets.Useful resources include:
- Energy markets regulatory system
- Energy hardship
- Defining energy hardship
- Energy ministerial portfolio and associated legislation
Commerce Commission
The Commerce Commission regulates electricity distribution businesses under Part 4 of the Commerce Act. Its website is a useful source of information about how lines companies are regulated and how their performance is assessed. Useful resources include:
- Electricity lines regulation
- The Commerce Commission's role in electricity lines
- Performance Accessibility Tool — interactive data and comparisons between lines companies.
- Electricity distributor performance summaries — including downloadable summaries for individual distributors.
- 2025–2030 default price-quality path
- Current information disclosure requirements
- Current input methodologies for electricity distribution businesses
Electricity Authority
The Electricity Authority oversees the operation of New Zealand's electricity market and develops and enforces the Electricity Industry Participation Code. Useful resources include:
- Electricity Authority website
- Distribution — a useful starting point for work particularly relevant to lines companies.
- Regional power prices dashboard — shows how electricity prices compare over time and between regions, including the network component of customers' bills.
- Electricity Authority statutory objective
EECA
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) works to improve energy efficiency and encourage the uptake of renewable energy. The future of energy in New Zealand provides a useful overview of how New Zealand's energy system is changing, supported by videos and charts.
Governance
Institute of Directors New Zealand
The Institute of Directors provides governance guidance, training and resources for directors and organisations across New Zealand. Visit the Institute of Directors website
Important reports and background reading
You will regularly hear older reports and reviews referred to in electricity sector discussions. Some continue to influence policy and regulatory decisions several years after they were published.
Review of electricity market performance — the Frontier Report
Published in 2025, this review considered the performance of New Zealand's electricity market and made a wide range of recommendations.
Not all of its recommendations were accepted by the Government, but the report remains useful context for understanding current policy discussions, including the focus on the performance and efficiency of electricity distribution businesses.
Read about the Review of electricity market performance
The Future is Electric
Boston Consulting Group's 2022 report, The Future is Electric, considers how New Zealand could use electrification to support its decarbonisation objectives.
Energy to Grow
Boston Consulting Group's 2025 Energy to Grow report builds on The Future is Electric. It looks more broadly across the energy sector, including renewable electricity, gas, industrial demand, storage, security of supply and affordability.
Read Energy to Grow
Pricing in a renewables-based electricity system
The Market Development Advisory Group's 2023 work considered how New Zealand's wholesale electricity market should evolve as increasing amounts of renewable generation enter the system. Its recommendations continue to be worked through by the Electricity Authority.
Useful resources include:
- Final recommendations report
- Summary of final recommendations
- One-page overview
- Latest progress and updates
Electricity Price Review
The Government's 2018–19 Electricity Price Review examined whether New Zealand's electricity market was delivering fair and affordable outcomes for consumers. Although the review is now several years old, a number of the issues it identified and initiatives that followed remain relevant today.
Explore the Electricity Price Review
Low Fixed Charge Regulations
The Low Fixed Charge Regulations were introduced in 2004 to reduce electricity costs for households that used relatively small amounts of electricity. The Electricity Price Review found the regulations were having unintended consequences and recommended they be phased out. MBIE's mid-point review provides useful background on the regulations, the reasons for their removal, and support for households experiencing energy hardship.
Read the mid-point review of the Low Fixed Charge Regulations