Watts to challenge gentailers on 2026 'energy security'

Energy Minister Simon Watts. (Image: NZME)

Wed, 10 Sep 2025

The Government remains committed to making decisions and announcements on potential reforms to the electricity market by the end of this month.Speaking to BusinessDesk at the Climate Change & Business Conference, Minister for Energy and Climate Change Simon Watts confirmed that he will meet the chief executives of the “big four” generator-retailers on Thursday this week for their regular monthly catch-up.Energy security and pricing were the primary topics covered at the standing meetings, Watts said.“I'll be chall...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Retail

Briscoe's bottom line squeezed despite flat first-half sales

Rod Duke expects full-year profits to come in lower than previously signalled.

Gregor Thompson 10:15am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Wednesday, Sept 10

Think you're clever enough?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Climate change

NZ should welcome Chinese cleantech expertise: Lord Turner

The election of Donald Trump meant a ‘wrenching change’ in US climate policy.

Greg Hurrell 5:00am

NZ should welcome Chinese cleantech expertise: Lord Turner

Sponsored

Free AI training blitz targets 10,000 Kiwis

Workshops aim to close NZ’s AI skills gap and boost productivity – no tech skills required.

Sponsored by Lumify

Sponsored

Are employers doing enough to prepare workers to retire well?

When one third of the New Zealand workforce is aged 55 or older – are employers doing enough to help them prepare for retirement?

Moneyfit

More Energy

Infrastructure

Transpower to spend $1.1b on Cook Strait link upgrade

Transpower plans to spend $1.1 billion on upgrading the electricity link between the North and South Islands.The state-owned power grid operator said it had applied to the Commerce Commission for approval to invest in the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link.The proposal inclu...

Staff reporters 09 Sep 2025