Electricity
Generation
New Zealand has several major electricity generation companies, including Trustpower. Most of New Zealand’s electricity is generated by hydro, with a growing number of wind farms, plus some gas, geothermal and diesel generation.
Transmission
Electricity is carried on the ‘transmission grid’. This is made up of over 12,000 kilometres of high voltage lines and is run by Transpower.
Distribution
From the grid, electricity is carried on local line networks, run by local distribution companies; and also accessed directly by high volume customers. The lines charge on your bill pays the local distribution company.
Retailers
Electricity retailers buy the power from the generators and sell it to consumers. As a retailer, Trustpower has over 200,000 customers nationwide.
Customers
Each home or business premises has a meter to measure how much electricity is used. The advantage of a competitive market is that consumers can switch between retailers to get the best service and price. Trustpower has a comparatively stable customer base, reflecting a high level of customer satisfaction.
Gas
Production
New Zealand has large gas reserves and around 15 producing gas fields. There’s ongoing development of gas fields and exploration for new fields.
Transmission/distribution
Reticulated (plumbed) gas is carried around the North Island by pipeline and is currently not available in the South Island. It’s a reliable system, run by network service providers and one private pipeline owner. Bottled gas (LPG) is stored in depots around the country and distributed from your local depot by truck, to your door.
Retailers
New Zealand has multiple gas retailers, which like electricity, ensures consumers have choice. At Trustpower, we supply both reticulated and bottled gas and back that up with our commitment to quality service.
Customers
Each home or business premise has a meter to measure how much reticulated gas is used. Gas bottles (canisters) are delivered and the empty bottles collected.
Telecommunications
Network
New Zealand’s phone line network has historically been copper wire. In 2011, the Government committed $1.35 billion to build an Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) network throughout New Zealand and this is currently being rolled out.
Retailers
A wide range of providers offer different portfolios of phone and internet services. Because it’s a competitive market, by law all retailers must have equal access to the network, even though Chorus is owned by Spark. Trustpower has provided phone and internet services since 2007 and Ultra Fast Broadband since 2012.
Customers
As more homes and businesses turn to ultrafast broadband, the big trend is for increased data packages. That’s why at Trustpower we offer flexible solutions to suit specific needs.
Regulation
The electricity, gas and telecommunications industries all have comprehensive self-regulation, with industry rules and common quality standards. In addition, all operators must comply with New Zealand legislation such as the Commerce Act 1986, Fair Trading Act 1986, Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, and Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).
New Zealand’s electricity regulations state that power retailers must offer a low fixed charge pricing option to customers who meet certain conditions. However, in some cases, the Minister of Energy may grant regulatory exemptions to pricing rules.
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