About us

The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko is an independent Crown entity that was established on 1 November 2010 under the Electricity Industry Act 2010.

We are the kaitiaki of electricity. Our purpose is to enhance New Zealanders’ lives, prosperity and environment through electricity.

Who we are

Consumers' best interests are at the heart of everything we do. We work to achieve a sustainable, accessible, secure and resilient energy system to keep the lights on and provide choices for consumers in accessing the energy they need now and in the future.

We regulate the electricity industry, set the market rules, and conduct operational activities to ensure the electricity system and markets run effectively. We work to create a competitive, reliable and efficient electricity industry for the long-term benefit of consumers and New Zealand.

What we do

Our strategy and priorities

In New Zealand most electricity is generated through renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, geothermal power and wind energy. In 2022, 87% of electricity is generated from renewable sources¹, making New Zealand one of the countries with the lowest carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation.

Over the past 20 years, Aotearoa’s electricity market has been praised domestically and internationally – it's considered world-leading. During this time, our work embedding a market-based regime has delivered significant benefits that is the envy of other jurisdictions.

The International Energy Agency said in its 2023 review of New Zealand’s energy policies: "New Zealand has a diversified energy mix, with significant production of both hydropower and geothermal. As the country embarks on an ambitious energy transition, it has many natural advantages, including an enviable renewable resource base. The key challenge will be to decarbonise end-use sectors through clean power and support investments in new technologies to achieve deeper emissions cuts across all sectors in the most economically efficient way. "

New Zealand also regularly features in the top 10 of the World Energy Council’s energy ‘trilemma’ index. This reflects Aotearoa's strong balance of energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.

^{1. Energy in New Zealand, MBIE}