Energy

A raft of measures to ease energy security and affordability includes a review of the performance of the electricity market.

The government will also pass legislation by the end of the year to reverse the oil and gas exploration ban.

The company is reasonably confident of getting through spring without needing use the reserves.

Mayors from Ruapehu, Kawerau and Taupō all expressed concerns for the local economy and their communities following the proposed closure announcement.

Some of the country's biggest electricity generators say they hope not to use more water from South Island hydro lakes - despite a move allowing them to access contingent storage. Audio

Powerswitch has had a 'flurry of price change requests' from retailers in recent days, it says. Audio

There's no point maintaining it if it's unwilling to flex its muscle or use its full powers, he says.

Low gas supply, hydro and wind levels and the outage of a power station unit squeezing earnings.

The company says it is doing its bit to deliver energy to New Zealand and sudden changes to power market rules can be unfairly costly.

With "electricity poverty" soaring in Tai Rāwhiti, leaders are assessing the plausibility of locally owned, renewable energy grids.

The company says it will bring forward the ability of hydroelectricity generators to access reserves. Audio

Businesses are being put "in a perilous situation" by gentailers who show no regard for the country's interests, the energy minister says. Audio