7 April 2026
Spencer Jones
By email: [FYI request #33368 email]
Tēnā koe Spencer
Your request
Thank you for your request, received on 11 February 2026, under the Official Information Act 1982
(Act) for the following information:
“Please confirm:
•
whether the Authority sought or received any summary-level information from
WorkSafe, MBIE Energy Safety, or distributors that would fall within DA626-retained
classes; and
•
if not, whether the Authority considers such material outside its regulatory
consideration under the Electricity Industry Participation Code (including Clause
11.27).
Our response
On 10 March 2026, you narrowed the timeframe of your response to 2018-present.
For the sake of clarity, the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (Authority) will respond to each part
of your request in turn.
•
whether the Authority sought or received any summary-level information from
WorkSafe, MBIE Energy Safety, or distributors that would fall within DA626-retained
classes; and
The Authority has undertaken reasonable research, including of compliance, audit-related, and
relevant operational areas, to determine whether it holds any summary-level information sought or
received from WorkSafe, MBIE Energy Safety, or electricity distributors that would fall within
DA626-retained classes. No such information was identified.
•
if not, whether the Authority considers such material outside its regulatory
consideration under the Electricity Industry Participation Code (including Clause
11.27).
The material described does not fall within the Authority’s regulatory responsibilities under the
Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code), including clause 11.27.
Clause 11.27 sits within Part 11 of the Code, which deals with electricity registry information and
information-sharing requirements. This part of the Code focuses on ensuring that industry
participants provide accurate and timely information to the registry and to the Authority, and on
setting rules about access to that information. It does not relate to the physical condition or
performance of metering equipment.
The Electricity Industry Act does not give the Authority responsibility for assessing or regulating
matters such as electrical safety, electromagnetic emissions, or health and safety risks associated
IN-CONFIDENCE - COMMERCIAL
E L E C T R I C I T Y A U T H O R I T Y R E P O R T : R E Q U E S T F O R
with smart meters. These matters fall outside the Authority’s statutory role and sit with Energy
Safety within WorkSafe New Zealand and the Ministry of Health, which are responsible for
electrical and radiation safety (respectively) under separate legislation.
While the Authority oversees compliance with Code obligations relating to metering, for example,
audit requirements and metering accuracy, this oversight does not extend to determining whether
smart meters are electrically safe or meet other requirements.
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. All personal data, including your name and contact
details, will be removed before publication.
If you’d like to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact us by emailing
[Electricity Authority request email].
Nāku noa, nā,
Airihi Mahuika
GM Legal, Monitoring and Compliance
IN-CONFIDENCE - COMMERCIAL
