Memo to the energy minister from ex-Genesis CEO

Memo to the energy minister from ex-Genesis CEO
Old, ugly and burning coal – but we need the Huntly power station for now. (Image: Getty)
Pattrick Smellie
Early on the morning of Friday, Oct 7, the Cook Strait cable failed and, for the best part of an hour, we in the news media briefly lost our minds.While some may argue this is a daily occurrence, old hands learn to distinguish between full-blown mania and a mere florid outburst.Memories were still fresh of botched communications from the national grid operator Transpower that helped cause random blackouts around the North Island on the coldest night of last year.Another potential grid failure so soon after that one looked like grounds for open...

More Policy

RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks
Opinion

Andy Macdonald: RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks

The end result of the RBNZ’s capital review will be both revealing and fascinating.

Asset recycling: privatisation or better housekeeping
Policy

Asset recycling: privatisation or better housekeeping

On asset recycling, Silvana Schenone cites Marie Kondo rather than Milton Friedman.

Dileepa Fonseka 20 Oct 2025
Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs
Policy

Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs

Fee-free open banking and levies may deter banks from innovating with new tech.

Andy Macdonald 17 Oct 2025
Government to set up single science funding body
Policy

Government to set up single science funding body

Research Funding NZ will replace at least three existing funding bodies.

Staff reporters 14 Oct 2025