Learning to love Rio Tinto – can it be done?

Learning to love Rio Tinto – can it be done?
The Tiwai Point conundrum in a nutshell: hydrogen-powered car, (mainly) aluminium body. (Image: BusinessDesk)
Pattrick Smellie
To gain new electricity contracts that would keep its Tiwai Point smelter operating, the smelter's majority owner Rio Tinto will need to achieve at least four things:1/ A decent electricity priceIt will have to pay a decent commercial rate for the one-seventh of all of New Zealand’s electricity the smelter has been using at heavily discounted prices since opening in 1971. The smelter currently pays about $35 per megawatt hour for its juice under contracts that end in December 2024. Twice that rate looks likely if it is to have any cha...

More Policy

Supermarkets face break-up threat
Retail

Supermarkets face break-up threat

Forced and voluntary divestments are among potential outcomes.

Pattrick Smellie 30 Mar 2025
Developers make unsolicited bids for prime Chch rebuild site
Policy

Developers make unsolicited bids for prime Chch rebuild site

Crown Infrastructure Delivery is weighing up options for the massive site.

Oliver Lewis 28 Mar 2025
Govt support to unlock billions for community housing
Policy

Govt support to unlock billions for community housing

It's been called a watershed day for the community housing sector.

Oliver Lewis 27 Mar 2025
RMA replacements to end 'culture of no'
Policy

RMA replacements to end 'culture of no'

The Government looks to Japan as it unveils two replacement planning laws.

Oliver Lewis 24 Mar 2025