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This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Request for Regional Electricity Connection and Consumption Data by Retailer'.

 
21 October 2025 
Mignon 
By email: [FYI request #31932 email]  
 
 
 
Tēnā koe Mignon 
 
Your request 
Thank you for your request, received on 26 August 2025, under the Official Information Act 1982 
(Act) for the following information: 
•  The number of residential and commercial electricity connections in each region of New 
Zealand, broken down by region (e.g., region or district) and by electricity retailer, for the 
most recent 12- month period available. 
•  The average electricity consumption (in kWh) per connection in each region over the same 
period, also broken down by retailer. 
•  The average cost per kWh charged to consumers by each electricity retailer, ideally also 
regionally disaggregated if possible. 
 
Our response 
For clarity, we respond to each part of your request in turn.  
A: The number of residential and commercial electricity connections in each region of New 
Zealand, broken down by region (e.g., region or district) and by electricity retailer, for the most 
recent 12- month period available. 
This part of your request is refused under section 18(d) of the Act, as the information requested is 
publicly available. It can be found here: www.emi.ea.govt.nz/r/l3m5j.  
B: The average electricity consumption (in kWh) per connection in each region over the same 
period, also broken down by retailer. 
This information is released in part and attached as Document 1 noting: 
•  region and trader combinations with three or less ICPs have been withheld under section 
9(2)(a) of the Act to protect the privacy of natural persons  
•  consumption data for commercial connections is refused under section 18 (g) as it is not 
held by the Authority. 
Please note, the caveats for this data can be found online, here: Electricity Authority - EMI (market 
statistics and tools).  
C: The average cost per kWh charged to consumers by each electricity retailer, ideal y also 
regionally disaggregated if possible. 
The average cost per kWh charged to consumers by region is available online here: Regional 
power prices | Electricity Authority. Accordingly, this part of the request is refused under section 
18(d) as the information is publicly available.  
 
IN-CONFIDENCE - COMMERCIAL 

E L EC T R I C I T Y  AUTHORITY  REPORT :  REQUEST FOR  
Your request for the average cost per kWh charged to consumers by each retailer is refused under 
section 9(2)(b)(i ) on the grounds this would be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial 
position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information. This information is 
likely to jeopardise commercial positions of those supplying the information given the different 
regional pricing strategies employed by retailers. In addition, the average cost attributed to each 
retailer omits context and complexity around how costs are derived. For example, the information 
would not reflect different lines charges or customer types or usage so could present a misleading 
view of retailers charging. In the view of the Authority, this could unreasonably prejudice the 
commercial position of retailers. 
We have considered the public interest in disclosing this information and do not consider it 
outweighs the reasons for withholding it. We note that, while not in scope of your request, revenue 
and cost information for larger retailers (not broken down by region) can be found here: 
https://www.ea.govt.nz/data-and-insights/charts-and-dashboards/retail-gross-margin. 
The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (Authority) is committed to improving retail market 
transparency and accountability in the retail electricity market. It introduced mandatory monthly 
reporting on domestic and small business consumers by retailers in March 2025 to support this 
objective. The insights derived from the increase in the volume and quality of information wil  
enable the Authority to develop enhanced consumer insights, identify potential issues, and make 
wel -informed policy decisions that benefit consumers. As we continue to process this information 
received, we will provide additional insights on our website.  
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. 
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 
freephone 0800 802 602.  
As this information may be of interest to other members of the public, the Authority may proactively 
release a copy of this response on our website. Al  personal data, including your name and contact 
details, wil  be removed before publication.  
If you’d like to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact us by emailing 
[email address]. 
Nāku noa, nā, 
 
 
 
Airihi Mahuika 
GM Legal, Monitoring and Compliance 
 
 
IN-CONFIDENCE - COMMERCIAL 

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