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Renewable Energy – NZ Homes Could Be Fully Solar-Powered by 2032 – Data

Source: Impact PR

A surge in solar capacity has put New Zealand on track to generate enough solar energy to power every home in the country within the next seven years, according to new research.

Analysis of government installation data by Harrisons Solar, the nation’s largest residential solar provider, shows the total capacity installed reached 665 MW last month, up 43% on the same time last year and more than double the capacity of two years ago.[1]

Based on this growth rate, the country’s solar capacity will reach over 10,250 MW by 2032, enough to offset the annual electricity needs of all 2.05 million households.[2]

Phil Harrison, managing director of Harrisons Solar, says New Zealand has reached a tipping point in its transition toward a decarbonised energy future.

He says the adoption of new, more efficient solar technologies is set to help cut the number of years the country will take to become self-sufficient from non-renewable power sources

“For the first time, we can realistically forecast a future where New Zealand will have enough solar capacity to power every home in the country – and that milestone is now firmly within reach.”

Harrison says in just under a year, New Zealand’s solar capacity will reach 953 MW, the equivalent generation of the coal-fired Huntly station.

He says, despite record growth in residential solar and increased consumer interest driven by rising power bills and grid instability, solar currently contributes less than 2% of New Zealand’s total electricity generation.

“Our analysis of Electricity Authority data shows that residential installations made up around 54% of total installed solar capacity last month.

“The number of Kiwi homes with rooftop solar is now almost 68,000 and growing at around over 8,700 annually.

“While it took NZ seven years to reach the first 100 MW in solar capacity, that same amount is now being added every 18 months,” he says.

Harrison says the current phase of growth is similar to other significant home energy shifts.

“We’re moving through a similar adoption curve to what we saw with heat pumps. Early hesitation is now giving way to mainstream acceptance as the economics and the technology both improve.

“The latest generation of photovoltaic technology is an example of this shift in market dynamics. New models now entering the NZ market, such as the world’s most powerful and efficient all black solar panels, the AIKO Infinite series, are capable of producing up to 475 – 490 watts per panel, more than double the output of a typical panel installed just a decade ago.

“This leap in performance means homeowners can now generate more electricity with fewer panels, making systems more compact and more viable for a wider range of properties,” he says.

Harrison says the number of New Zealand homes combining solar with battery storage is also rising sharply, reflecting a growing appetite for energy independence and resilience. According to new data, the total number of households with both solar panels and batteries has increased by 72% since July 2024.[3]

“We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how New Zealanders engage with energy.

“As more homes generate and store their own power, we’re moving toward a decentralised electricity system, one that’s more resilient, less reliant on the grid during peak times, and better equipped to handle disruptions. Over time, this transition could ease pressure on national infrastructure and open the door to innovations like energy sharing between households and community-wide power networks.

“With average returns estimated between 12 and 14 percent, solar is now delivering stronger financial performance than many leading KiwiSaver funds. For homeowners, the data suggests that delaying installation could mean missing out on significant long-term savings,” he says.

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Universities – The corporate effects of protecting biodiversity – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

What happens when a national park or conservation area is created next to a business that emits toxic substances into the environment?

A new study, co-authored by University of Auckland researcher Dr Marty Pham, shows that while companies near protected areas slash their toxic emissions, they do so by cutting jobs and production rather than cleaning up their act through investing in pollution reduction.

The research paper, ‘The real effects of protecting biodiversity’, is the first of its kind to investigate how protected areas (designated places aimed at conserving biodiversity and ecosystems) influence the operations of nearby businesses.

“Our findings show a sharp decline in firms’ toxic emissions, suggesting that these businesses react to heightened regulatory and public scrutiny and adjust their polluting activities accordingly,” says Dr Pham.

Using data from 1990 to 2021, the researchers examined 18,341 industrial facilities that generate toxic emissions across the United States, spanning industries including mining, manufacturing, forestry and agriculture.

To track the effect of conservation zones on companies, the researchers developed a novel ‘Corporate Biodiversity Exposure’ (CBE) measure. This identifies facilities located near newly designated protected areas and quantifies the ecological, regulatory, and reputational implications that follow.

“Our findings reveal a significant association between higher CBE metrics and reduced on-site toxic chemical emissions into the air, ground, and water”, says Pham. “This highlights the localised impact of protected areas.”

The study also points out that being near protected areas is associated with significant declines in sales, productivity, and workforce size for affected establishments. However, there’s no evidence of increased investment in abatement technologies.

Pham says this suggests firms respond to biodiversity conservation pressures by scaling down production, possibly through relocating or outsourcing their production, rather than adopting new environmental innovations.

These localised disruptions have broader financial consequences at the parent-company level, according to the study, which shows that reduced economic activity at affected establishments contributes to firm-wide declines in profitability and stock market valuation.

One likely contributor to these financial pressures, says Pham, is increased regulatory oversight.

“While protected areas don't directly impose land-use constraints on neighbouring establishments, they trigger more frequent environmental inspections, strengthen compliance requirements and attract greater public scrutiny, increasing enforcement risks and operational costs.”

With biodiversity in crisis worldwide, many countries are expanding protected natural areas, compelling businesses and investors to adapt their strategies.

This shift is particularly relevant to the United Nations’ 30-by-30 target, which aims to protect 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030, reshaping the interface between conservation policy and corporate operations.

In Aotearoa New Zealand around 30 percent of the total land area is protected in some way, and Pham says the study highlights the need for policymakers here and overseas to strike a balance between achieving ecological goals and managing their associated economic impacts.

“We need to promote effective conservation planning and transparency in corporate biodiversity disclosures.”

While around 200 of New Zealand's largest companies and biggest emitters are required to provide climate-related disclosures, there are currently no specific mandatory biodiversity disclosure requirements, something Pham says is worth considering.

“Transparency is so valuable in this area; understanding how companies are operating and responding to biodiversity conservation measures helps governments create policies that support both the environment and businesses.”

In light of their findings, Pham and his co-authors say companies should integrate biodiversity risk assessments into their operational and location decisions. They also say investors need to recognise the regulatory risks stemming from proximity to protected areas, given the significant cashflow implications highlighted by their analysis.

The study, The Real Effects of Protecting Biodiversity, is under consideration for publication in the Review of Finance and is authored by Amir Akbari (DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Canada), Lilian Ng (Schulich School of Business, York University, Canada), Marty Pham (Business School, University of Auckland), and Jing Yu (the University of Sydney, Australia).

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Consumer NZ – New Zealanders’ favourite shops revealed

Source: Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ's latest retailer survey has found the five shops with the most satisfied customers – and those falling short.

The stores with the most satisfied customers and winners of Consumer NZ’s People’s Choice award were:

100% Home Appliances – in the large whiteware + appliances category and small appliances category

  • PB Tech – in the home tech category and mobile tech category
  • Stihl Shop – in the hardware category
  • Mitre 10 – in the hardware category
  • Macpac – in the sports and outdoors category.

Consumer NZ digital journalist Kate Harvey said Stihl Shop and Macpac got the highest satisfaction ratings across the survey. Both received ratings of 94%.

“Stihl Shop rated particularly high for its customer service and staff members’ product knowledge,” Harvey said.

“Macpac beat its competitors – Kathmandu, Torpedo7 and Rebel – in all the categories we ask about, including perceived value and range of products available.”

Mitre 10 was beaten by Stihl Shop in the hardware category but still had an excellent result.

100% Home Appliances has dominated both the large and small appliance categories for 11 years, so it was no surprise to see it back at the top again.

“100% Home Appliances’ satisfaction score was well above the next highest scoring store in both the large and small appliance categories. Smiths City, which has just entered voluntary administration, rated second in the large appliance category and Briscoes has second spot for small appliances,” said Harvey.

PB Tech shone in the home tech and mobile tech categories.

“PB Tech’s customers particularly rate it for its prices and range,” Harvey said.

The shops that got the lowest ratings in the survey were:

  • Rebel Sport – in the sports and outdoors category

“Rebel’s customers gave especially low scores for customer service and staff’s product knowledge,” said Harvey.

  • One NZ and Spark stores – in the mobile tech category

“Both One NZ and Spark got low scores for value for money and their range of products,” said Harvey.

  • The Warehouse – in the home tech category

“Only 63% of those who had bought home technology such as TVs and game consoles at The Warehouse were very satisfied with the experience,” said Harvey.

  • OPSM – in the eyewear category

“People had a better shopping experience at Specsavers but those who shopped at an independent optometrist had the best experience,” said Harvey.

More than 3,200 Consumer NZ members and supporters detailed the purchases they’d made over the past year when they undertook this survey in June and July.

Notes

Consumer NZ is primarily funded by its members. Consumer NZ members can see the full results of the 2025 retailer survey on its website. See: https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/retail-service

About Consumer

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

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Tax Reform – PSA supports report calling for tech giants to pay fairer share of taxes

Source: PSA

To help ensure properly funded public, health and community services the Government needs to aggressively ensure large international corporations pay their fair share of tax in New Zealand, the PSA says.
A report issued today, commissioned by Tax Justice Aotearoa and the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign, shows that some of the richest multi-national technology corporations – like Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services – are paying minimal tax on the billions of revenue they generate in New Zealand. It also highlights how the Government is not taking opportunities to ensure these companies pay more in tax.
“New Zealand is missing out on more than $100 million in tax revenue from multi-national corporations each year that could be used to fund vital public services like hospitals and border security, says Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons
“By not enforcing fair taxes for international tech companies the Government is choosing to place an unfair burden on working people to fund public services.
“The recent legislation ending 33 pay equity claims of underpaid, mainly female workers to raise $12 billion in revenue to shore up the Government’s Budget is a dramatic example of how women are being targeted by the Government while large corporates are exempted from paying their fair share,” Fitzsimons says.
“At the same time the Government has chosen to fund $3 billion in tax breaks for landlords and $300 million for tobacco companies, while cutting funding for public, health and community services.
The report Big Tech Little Tax details the ways international tech corporations pay minimal tax on billions of dollars of revenue. They do this by moving the bulk of their revenue to their parent companies in low tax countries, which leaves them little taxable income in New Zealand.
“More importantly the report highlights the opportunity for the Government to take action to increase the tax these companies pay in New Zealand, rather than continually slashing funding for public, health and community services,” Fitzsimons says.
“The Government seems reluctant to tackle taxing the tech corporates, partially out of fear of US retaliation. However, the report identifies other measures the Government could take that are already allowed for in current legislation and international agreements.
“What is needed is the political will to take the fight to these large corporations, which is what is already happening in Australia,” Fitzsimons says.
One initiative identified in the report, which is already allowed in the New Zealand -United States agreement on double taxation is to enforce a 5% withholding tax rate the royalties the tech corporation pay to their parent companies. This move would raise $130 million that could be used to pay for over 10,000 extra elective surgeries each year or build 1,400 social housing units, Fitzsimons says.
The PSA is a member of Tax Justice Aotearoa.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health, and community services
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Events – Zero Waste Hui celebrates 25 years of mahi

Source: Zero Waste Aotearoa

Zero Waste Aotearoa will celebrate 25 years of building a waste free future at the Zero Waste Aotearoa National Hui from 8-10 September. The event will be hosted at the University of Auckland/Te Taumata Rau o Tāmaki Makaurau featuring a range of fantastic speakers.

“From the movement's early voices to those meeting the challenges of today, this hui will bring together the people and organisations committed to a future where all people and things are valued, and nothing goes to waste,” said Dorte Wray, General Manager, Zero Waste Aotearoa.

The goal of zero waste is to minimise and ultimately eliminate waste by:

  • Preventing the creation of waste by using better designs and systems
  • Using tools to ensure those who create waste take responsibility for it
  • Repurposing, reusing and repairing materials
  • Recycling and composting.

“Here in Aotearoa NZ, zero waste is built upon the foundations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We see partnership with Tangata Whenua as essential to maximising just and enduring outcomes.”

“We have the solutions right now. Our members have been making zero waste a reality in communities across the country for decades. Places like Xtreme Zero Waste in Raglan/Whaingaroa and Wastebusters in Wānaka are leading the way by diverting 70-80% of the materials that come to them away from landfill.”

“Anyone who has been to one of these places knows how great they are. Zero waste is a real win-win for the economy and environment. Community Resource Recovery Centres are creating sustainable, dignified employment while reducing climate emissions and keeping valuable resources in use.”

“The Zero Waste Hui provides a space for cementing relationships and strong connections across the zero waste sector. We enjoy a great relationship with Auckland Council who are committed to a zero waste approach to reducing waste to landfill and addressing climate change and it's great to have them as sponsors for the hui.”

The Zero Waste Aotearoa Hui is a great place for attendees to participate in collective action, inspiration and learning. The first two days are a mix of keynote speakers, panels and workshops. On the third day, attendees tour different zero waste projects around the city for a close up view of the waste minimisation work happening.

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Energy Sector – Electricity Authority lodges formal complaints over alleged Code breaches

Source: Electricity Authority

The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (Authority) has lodged two separate formal complaints with the Rulings Panel alleging a breach of the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code) by grid owner Transpower and retailer South Pacific Energy Limited.
The Code sets out the duties and responsibilities for all participants in New Zealand's electricity industry. The Authority can enforce compliance with the Code to ensure improved industry practice.
The complaint against Transpower as grid owner alleges it applied incorrect protection settings on 14 February 2023 in breach of clause 4(4)(a)(ii) of Technical Code A, Schedule 8.3 of the Code.
The Authority lodged this complaint because the grid owner appears to have made a conscious decision not to address the risks identified with its asset; the potential operational and security impact could have been greater if the trip event had occurred on a larger grid connection point; and the Authority aims to prevent similar incidents happening in the future.
The complaint against South Pacific Energy alleges the retailer failed, on a number of occasions in 2024 and 2025, to meet payment deadlines and made deposits in incorrect accounts in breach of clauses 14A.6(2), 14.31(1)(a) and 14.32(1) of the Code.
The Authority lodged this complaint because South Pacific Energy, based on the number of alleged Code breaches, did not exercise due care and consideration for payment obligations; the breaches indicate a history of non-compliance which has an operational impact on the clearing manager; and the Authority aims to prevent the risk of recurrence.
The Rulings Panel is an independent body that determines breaches of the Code and may make appropriate remedial orders under section 54 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010.
If the Rulings Panel upholds a complaint, it has the power to make remedial orders against industry participants. Remedial orders include pecuniary penalties, compliance orders, compensation orders, and private and public warnings or reprimands.
Under the Electricity Industry (Enforcement) Regulations 2010, the total liability for an asset owner in breach of Part 8 of the Code (including both pecuniary penalties and compensation orders) is limited to $2 million. The liability limit applying to other industry participants in breach of Part 14 of the Code is limited by the Electricity Industry Act 2010 to a pecuniary penalty not exceeding $2 million and a further amount not exceeding $10,000 for every day or part of a day during which the breach continues. 
More detail
The full details of the complaints are detailed in the following notices:
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Health – IHC welcomes disability change

Source: IHC

IHC is welcoming today’s announced changes to the disability system that will make it more consistent, transparent, sustainable and fair.

The Government has announced a raft of changes that include consistency for Needs Assessments across the country and greater flexibility for individualised funding while holding firm on Enabling Good Lives principles.

IHC’s Director of Advocacy Tania Thomas says this is a big step forward for the sector and it’s great to see that more work has been done to make sure disabled people, their families and carers have a system they can trust and is easy to use.

“The announcement that in 2026 purchasing guidelines, including March 2024 amendments to them, will no longer apply is likely to go some way to helping some to rebuild trust,” says Tania.

“Under the new approach, flexible funding users will have more choice and control but will need to keep their spending within their budget.”

Minister Louise Upston also stated that longer-term work is being done to strengthen the disability support system to reflect the Enabling Good Lives vision and principles.

“Giving disabled people and their families and carers more clarity, certainty, flexibility, and choice is a welcome move,” says Tania. “But it’s a waiting game to understand the detail around how the new approach will make a positive change in the lives of people with disabilities.

“There is still more information to come about the new personal plans, purchasing rules, and what this means for individual people with intellectual disability. We look forward to seeing this in due course.

“We recognise that the changes and earlier announcements support the Enabling Good Lives principles of self-determination and being mana-enhancing.

Earlier this year the Government announced that Disability Support Services would change the way it paid residential service providers. The Community Group Home Pricing Model is simplifying and clarifying the process for residential service providers.

“It is crucial that government continues to prioritise creating spaces for the voice of disabled people in the decision-making processes around key decisions that impact their lives,” says Tania.

These changes are positive, but they come against a backdrop of stark inequality for people with intellectual disability, who are far more likely to live in hardship than other New Zealanders.

Across every measure of deprivation, households with intellectually disabled people are worse off. While the return to greater flexibility is something to applaud, there is still some way to go to address the deep and enduring financial inequities people with intellectual disability experience.

About IHC New Zealand

IHC New Zealand advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with intellectual disabilities and supports them to live satisfying lives in the community. IHC provides advocacy, volunteering, events, membership associations and fundraising. It is part of the IHC Group, which also includes IDEA Services, Choices NZ and Accessible Properties.

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Health and Employment – Te Whatu Ora sorry for evading safe staffing data contradicting its claims

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Te Whatu Ora has today apologised to NZNO for acting “unreasonably” over the release of safe staffing data which contradicts its claims hospitals aren't short-staffed.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) strategic researcher Nathalie Jaques says the data shows what members are saying.
“Our members are telling Te Whatu Ora they are understaffed and overworked. They're saying this is putting patient safety at risk.”
The Care Capacity Demand Management data shows from January to November 2024 day shifts across all wards were understaffed 51% of the time and all evening shifts were understaffed 35% of the time, she says.
The apology follows an investigation by the Ombudsman which found Te Whatu Ora (see findings attached) “unreasonably” delayed and obstructed the release of data about hospital shifts being staffed below recommended safety levels.
In a letter to Nathalie Jaques (also attached), Te Whatu Ora said: “We acknowledge that refusing this request was not appropriate and may have contributed to delays in the important work you are undertaking on behalf of our kaimahi.”
Te Whatu Ora added it was now “proactively strengthening its processes” to ensure it complies with its obligations under the Official Information Act.
NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter welcomed the apology as the right thing to do.
The apology comes as more than 36,000 NZNO nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora will strike again tomorrow (Thursday 4 September).
It is the second time this week NZNO members are walking off the job after Te Whatu Ora failed to address their concerns about patient safety after a year of bargaining.
Notes:
  • NZNO members will strike tomorrow from 7am to 11pm on Tuesday and Thursday.
  • The strike will be a complete withdrawal of labour at every place in New Zealand where Te Whatu Ora provides health care or hospital care services. Life Preserving Services will continue to be provided.
  • NZNO has been in negotiations with Te Whatu Ora since September 2024 and has engaged in 28 days of talks including as recently as last Wednesday.
  • Of those 28 days, 13 days were with support from the Mediation Service and three were in facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority.
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Export Regs – DCANZ welcomes streamlined export regulations

Source: Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ)

The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) says the New Zealand economy will benefit from today’s announced streamlining of regulatory approaches for dairy exports.
The Government announced the removal of a requirement that dairy exporters must obtain gazetted exemptions for their products from domestic compositional standards when selling to countries with different standards.
It is estimated that exporters could have missed out on millions of dollars in export earnings over recent years because of the requirement.
Chairman Guy Roper says the change will make it easier for companies to export new, high-value, and innovative dairy products.
“This is great news for the New Zealand economy at a time when every export dollar from every market matters.
“DCANZ is not aware of any other country requiring its dairy exporters to obtain gazetted exemptions from domestic compositional standards when they are not appropriate for the export market. These applications have often taken months to process, slowing the time to market for new products.
“The requirement to apply for compositional exemptions has put our exporters at a disadvantage to their overseas competitors when responding to international customer requirements.
“The changes will remove a long-standing and self-inflicted barrier to growing the value of New Zealand’s dairy exports at a time when our economy needs every export dollar it can get”
Every country’s food regulators determine the appropriate product standards for food sold in their market and they do that by taking into account the needs of their domestic populations and factors such as geographically differing nutrient availability across all food sources.
“A good example of this is that Europe has set higher ranges for vitamin D in formulated foods than New Zealand does, reflecting that our northern hemisphere counterparts receive less vitamin D from other sources, such as sunlight.
“Meanwhile, New Zealand’s requirements for selenium levels in formulated foods are higher than other countries, reflecting the low levels we have in our soils and therefore in our other food sources.”
The requirement for compositional exemptions has been in place since 2005 despite there being a legal requirement under the Animal Products Act (1999) for dairy exporters to ensure their products are safe and conform to the requirements of their intended market.
“Dairy exporters have been seeking this change for some years. In 2020 we identified it as a regulatory change that would support export value growth, and the need for the requirement has been consistently questioned since its introduction.
“We are pleased the Government has removed this unnecessary and costly second-guessing of other countries' regulatory competence,” Mr Roper says.
Having a streamlined and less duplicative regulatory approach around this is exactly the type of red-tape reduction needed to support export growth.”
Dairy exports account for one in every four dollars New Zealand earns from all goods and services trade.
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BusinessNZ – Exactly what it says on the tin: Food exporting simplified

Source: BusinessNZ

Today’s announcement from government to reduce regulatory red tape for exporters means competing on the world stage will soon be easier for some Kiwi businesses.
By the end of the month, food exporters will no longer need to apply for exemptions from New Zealand rules if their products already meet the importing country’s requirements.
ExportNZ Executive Director Joshua Tan says the change reflects long-standing recommendations made by exporters.
“This is a sensible, long-awaited fix that ExportNZ and our members have been calling for. Simplifying labelling and composition exemptions has been on the agenda for some time, and we’re pleased to see it addressed.”
Tan says the new system will simplify the process of getting products to market.
“Currently, exporters have to navigate a costly, time-consuming process to secure approvals on a product-by-product basis. The new approach gives businesses more certainty, cuts compliance costs, and reduces delays. It’s a change that will make a real difference to Kiwi exporters competing on the global stage.
“ExportNZ looks forward to working with officials on any further changes to the export process which make it simpler for New Zealand-owned businesses to enter other markets.”
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.