# PF129: For the 2026 New Zealand general election: What would the parties change about electricity prices, fuel costs and the security of energy supply? Collected 19 October 2026 [NZ Election 2026 · Edition 4 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/4) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 9428de1b-6825-474f-a778-8b9940ca7d43 # New Zealand election 2026: electricity prices, fuel costs and energy security Election day: 7 November 2026 · National overview The main parties broadly agree that New Zealand needs more affordable electricity and a more reliable energy supply. Their biggest differences are how to lower power bills, whether to break up the big electricity companies, and how much New Zealand should rely on domestic oil and gas versus renewable energy. [Power Prices for 2026](https://business.powercompare.co.nz/n/election-2026-what-the-major-parties-are-promising-on-power-and-energy)[The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/main-parties-vying-form-new-zealands-next-government-2026-10-12/) Here's a comparison of the major parties' published proposals and what they could mean for households, motorists and businesses. ## At a glance | Party | Electricity prices | Petrol and diesel costs | Energy security | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | National | More generation, competition and lower network costs | No fuel-tax increase in 2027; increases resume in 2028 under the announced schedule | Domestic oil and gas exploration, plus imported LNG as backup | | Labour | Household solar support, stronger price-gouging laws | Freeze fuel excise tax for three years; crack down on excessive fuel pricing | More household renewables; restore the ban on new oil and gas exploration | | Green Party | Publicly owned Kiwipower, solar and batteries | Less reliance on fossil fuels; no equivalent fuel-price guarantee identified in the sources reviewed | Renewable generation, storage and public investment | | ACT | More private investment and competition; oppose breaking up major power companies | No specific pump-price reduction commitment identified in the sources reviewed | More generation and infrastructure, with domestic gas available | | New Zealand First | Split major electricity generators from their retail businesses | Develop domestic energy resources to reduce dependence on imported fuel | A $1 billion subsurface survey programme and greater use of domestic resources | Sources: published party policies and election announcements. These are proposals or announced commitments, not guaranteed price outcomes. [Affordable power Kiwis can rely on](https://www.national.org.nz/news/261002-simeonbrown)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/)[Green Party launches plan to cut power bills and take power back from the big energy companies](https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_launches_plan_to_cut_power_bills_and_take_power_back_from_the_big_energy_companies)[ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/abundant-electricity-will-ease-cost-of-living)["Power to the People" - Winston Peters - State of the Nation 2026](https://www.nzfirst.nz/power_to_the_people_sotn_2026)[Future Proofing our Fuel Security](https://www.nzfirst.nz/future_proofing_our_fuel_security)[Government cancels fuel tax hike](https://www.national.org.nz/news/260831-partynews) ## 1. Electricity prices and power bills ![Will National Party Finish 2nd in New Zealand's 2026 Election?](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/LCDs4P76HEgfCayafHeSga8GCw12Vxs2fPc3toeyLUZ-wmb6UiGRZY6bhdT1xRejtICfUd6GX2BWmI76EkpoWuffTU4g32bP_qUJp29rsfn5_Zvj5THHSYTLHSoo_5_YQyZ3zKE1WIpB4bu7raRltFl5TZFCgCcE0quf_GohkFI?purpose=inline) ## National — build more power and reduce costs National's proposed Electrify NZ 2.0 plan aims to make new generation and grid infrastructure easier to build, improve competition and address rising electricity network charges. Its proposals include: - Reviewing the rules governing electricity lines charges. - Making it easier to connect new homes, businesses and renewable generators to the network. - Improving independent retailers' access to backup electricity supply. - Requiring AI data centres to bring their own power rather than add costs for other consumers. National also backs an LNG import facility and domestic gas exploration to help the electricity system cope when hydro lakes are low. [Affordable power Kiwis can rely on](https://www.national.org.nz/news/261002-simeonbrown)[Power Prices for 2026](https://stuff.powercompare.co.nz/n/election-2026-what-the-major-parties-are-promising-on-power-and-energy) ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_spFKDBqOMVPoo8r35YLoGFwljs_-WWe4ur9fdZCfekzAxaUPGA75u8rI9uxOUTssI2hUZN1r4Zu1AeDrcNaxz3uHoFIyWjDpanT5s-KJ87QzxSu1uNjNL4MOHSuazRZuTy_TzC6aN4wxHHoyU_DhzMFuMCMjNBTtg2xRxOZL6c?purpose=inline) ## Labour — household solar and stronger consumer protection Labour's SolarSaver programme would provide government-backed, low-interest finance for rooftop solar and batteries, with additional support of up to $3,000 for eligible households. It also proposes: - Making excessive electricity pricing illegal and requiring companies found to have overcharged customers to repay them. - Extending solar options to renters through plug-in systems. - Helping households reduce the amount of electricity they buy from the grid. Labour estimates that SolarSaver could save an average household around $1,000 annually, although actual savings would depend on the household and its energy use. [Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/) ![Green Party NZ (@NZGreens) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xwoeA3rTn5Pu0UL1uRc6X_g8ADsfUTe55rxQEjXC_rnFR_6TPTr_9eG0LsowNOdFRtax24qB8h-LRfUtZEf42T0CC5OclOZ5katbFJAYxs0cZRyqDBlGNgF_8AV_5WTCbYonGIqLGuK095lLGrkBVw3L8vdsA06tLHVNuCJquuc?purpose=inline) ## Green Party — create a publicly owned power company The Greens propose establishing Kiwipower, a state-owned electricity company intended to invest in affordable renewable generation and provide backup capacity during dry years. Their broader plan includes: - Zero-interest loans for household solar panels and batteries. - Support for community-owned renewable electricity projects. - Home insulation and measures to help households use less energy. - Changes to the electricity market to tackle the influence of large generator-retailers. The central idea is that public investment should help deliver affordable electricity while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. [Green Party launches plan to cut power bills and take power back from the big energy companies](https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_launches_plan_to_cut_power_bills_and_take_power_back_from_the_big_energy_companies)[Power Prices for 2026](https://stuff.powercompare.co.nz/n/election-2026-what-the-major-parties-are-promising-on-power-and-energy) ![New Zealand Legislative Election Winner 2026 Odds | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/jofoEEdOXv6HOQzupGnQLgXlZKKPYTzvN6g4IUMlN6xdqX4l_qH5-Y0A3to5ytO5w95eGsg-WLInlnku5FmW0VEyKqhTiAqcZSbr_Z1e_uNyqacdq4zniDKhRNRugVUCsz1-CYpZeG4nO7sLuQKEQlQMBgJCAoyH3nC76yYHd6E?purpose=inline) ## ACT — increase competition and private investment ACT wants to make it easier for private businesses to build power stations, invest in transmission and compete to provide electricity connections. Its published proposals include allowing households to sell surplus solar power to whichever retailer offers the best deal, and requiring electricity network companies to justify costly upgrades before passing those costs to consumers. ACT opposes breaking up the major electricity generator-retailers, arguing that more supply and competition are preferable to restructuring the industry. [ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/abundant-electricity-will-ease-cost-of-living)[Energy Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026](https://whichparty.nz/topics/energy) ![New Zealand legislative election winner? Predictions & Od... 2026 | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/UmXClDd76aKEk_XyXfEEacFBHXO18HFMG1Im-weRm7tb64uGzBsRK3vWPXuiFN2zaWaNznb7eSDIJucKOhlXtwb6Lq-BYR6oxisKzHsWTxF5AsiLmtcNGDNtwCsXzgIuSp2vW4pa6pAda-tTriG23zKX1ZuknQ81HGh411pqRkM?purpose=inline) ## New Zealand First — split the big power companies New Zealand First proposes separating the generation and retail arms of the major electricity companies. It also wants long-term, fixed-price contracts for new generation projects, measures to prevent generators withholding electricity to increase prices, and a requirement that household solar exporters receive the same price for electricity sold to the grid as they pay when buying it. The party argues that these changes would increase competition and encourage investment in new power stations. ["Power to the People" - Winston Peters - State of the Nation 2026](https://www.nzfirst.nz/power_to_the_people_sotn_2026)[Power Prices for 2026](https://business.powercompare.co.nz/n/election-2026-what-the-major-parties-are-promising-on-power-and-energy) ### What might these proposals mean for your power bill? The main difference is how parties intend to tackle the problem: - National and ACT: make it easier for private businesses to build generation and compete. - Labour: help households produce their own power and strengthen enforcement against excessive prices. - Greens: use a new publicly owned company to invest in generation and backup supply. - New Zealand First: restructure the electricity industry to change how generators and retailers compete. No party can guarantee that retail electricity bills will fall by a particular amount. Generation costs, transmission and distribution charges, retailer pricing and the cost of backup supply all affect what households pay. [Affordable power Kiwis can rely on](https://www.national.org.nz/news/261002-simeonbrown)[Power Prices for 2026](https://stuff.powercompare.co.nz/n/election-2026-what-the-major-parties-are-promising-on-power-and-energy) ## 2. Petrol and diesel costs Fuel prices are particularly sensitive to international oil prices, exchange rates, refining and shipping costs, as well as domestic taxes. The parties differ in how much they propose to change directly. ![Parliamentary parties - New Zealand Parliament](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/P3l_MCTDhEFmMqOVSQ4NJMBzd_eFKC3vYSx5TGEUXkrZ2gU70maJSvqrXUUckQAd_f25efeHyHHTHD55AZok6TIfF6eF4RWEuIKLGwVHTyW4RZkdiipUoYMC0wWfQlC1-SCKynvOTlqJ8q2Id8eu6IeWa-qLuX98pLkzKqXS-Bo?purpose=inline) National The Government announced that the planned fuel-excise increase in 2027 would be postponed. Under its revised schedule, the next 5-cent-per-litre increase takes effect on 1 January 2028, with further increases scheduled after that. This is the announced policy if the schedule remains in place, rather than a permanent fuel-tax freeze. [Government cancels fuel tax hike](https://www.national.org.nz/news/260831-partynews) ![Oz Kiwi - Key must now work to restore reciprocal rights](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/RslO9gYrJT5mpe81YDamPJb0QfZL5MaxmRxs1s_f1jgoyhIB0d6M4PMPMpzbaCXv7NnrKKwa3DtqoyubcHzHDz-eRJz5aBTMym29FctWbXLH947DOF_2LsrxBCqKa56UyuOGRUoXBiaavoahyXEeSMYyUUn1pBqv2_jiggdZ4Wc?purpose=inline) Labour Labour promises to freeze fuel excise tax for three years and make fuel-company overcharging illegal. It estimates the tax freeze would save an average family around $520 a year by 2030. That is Labour's estimate of the effect of its tax policy, not a guarantee that the total cost of filling up will fall. Global oil-price increases could still make petrol and diesel more expensive. [Release: No increase in fuel taxes under Labour](https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-no-increase-in-fuel-taxes-under-labour/)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/) ![New Zealand Legislative Election Winner? Winner Odds | Lines.com](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/swOpseI6JeOne3TLmsB2rSSFZkfqWuRzDkOdOuvT8jcsKlshTfgJCcrkPjPm9itoiDVRSAyxbIkvlC-FXS5FSe49Bo3CnDrYufGN9SwS5AoQLlmVszhKX6p1orBeTbQ4Zl4tgs9jF_B0ikpwMbl4J5awpbam9UyN9Rbb3MLRdKM?purpose=inline) Green Party The Greens' wider approach emphasises renewable energy, lower fossil-fuel dependence and reducing energy use. I did not find a directly comparable, specific commitment to cut petrol prices by a stated amount in the sources reviewed. ![POLICY TRACKER: TOP wants to fund cheaper doctor visits with junk-food tax | New Zealand Doctor](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/K1DpIS-dF4mtKrl0KIyfSnF_8RO2gnoDtATKXcH-ytfTo6cgmA_wwVhD8J5hW6OuytxDrAergQSGimCSsVKfunUK61RDtNU5GxwiaPB_cRB685VjK9FjkZErmrrvx_4zTP2h6GpckCQVzANm4LVdUE3kTNzzpmgwLxBt7L_7t70?purpose=inline) ACT ACT's energy policy focuses on expanding supply and encouraging investment, including domestic oil and gas exploration. I did not find a specific election commitment guaranteeing a reduction in petrol prices or a quantified pump-price saving. ![File:Logo New Zealand First.svg - Wikimedia Commons](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/DBtzngiVJWLZORI-MonJJUv8-0ZNbUjaf0Ve8PsI9B94UexGotmeXky7ZH3kKTzXi_Fdv7n0G-Kwabc1DsD1URxTX4Vw9tUOvHF2vo19TIQXGec4iKd1Z9ZxL3MtqdgoAevMJsvBBcf-kzK5ymdSbtD4_SAR_IlS1NOYE2fN6lM?purpose=inline) New Zealand First The party proposes investing $1 billion over the term of a government in a national survey of subsurface energy and mineral resources. It aims to identify domestic oil and gas reserves that could eventually reduce dependence on overseas supplies and bring down local fuel costs. These are longer-term ambitions: finding commercially recoverable resources would not automatically produce cheaper petrol in the near future. [Future Proofing our Fuel Security](https://www.nzfirst.nz/future_proofing_our_fuel_security) ## 3. Security of energy supply: what happens when fuel or electricity runs short? Energy security means having enough energy available at a price households and businesses can manage, including during droughts, international conflicts or disruptions to imported fuel. New Zealand has a particular electricity challenge: hydroelectricity is important, but when water levels are low, the country needs other sources of generation or backup supply. Meanwhile, declining domestic gas reserves have increased concern about how the system will cope in future. [New Zealand grants first offshore petroleum permit since reversing exploration ban](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/new-zealand-grants-first-offshore-petroleum-permit-since-reversing-exploration-2026-07-28/)[Release: Serious questions remain on LNG facility](https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-serious-questions-remain-on-lng-facility/) ![Huntly Power Station — Science Learning Hub](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/MPYfiAV4Dgowho4LN5IrHSic2jBGF32bjPLj0SwiDX2S5BQKXROaW9LCDmYMhDoczPaSDCzmoyBvf37cnUo_Unp1ISGN4mXydiUA8qhn-94iuHVe1D01ZwfBoCNcVU0vx4T85VGbnD9kwl0ZdbFkC_pwVTCk5Wrr0vE_KknjoBU?purpose=inline) National — domestic gas plus imported LNG National supports renewed oil and gas exploration and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility. The intention is to provide backup when domestic gas is scarce and hydroelectric generation is constrained. Trade-off: imported gas could provide additional backup, but would expose New Zealand to international gas prices and import-market risks. Labour disputes that the proposed LNG facility is the most cost-effective option. [Affordable power Kiwis can rely on](https://www.national.org.nz/news/261002-simeonbrown)[Release: Serious questions remain on LNG facility](https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-serious-questions-remain-on-lng-facility/) ![Renewable Energy Zones: Bridging the gap for Northland’s electricity resilience and reliability](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/gUyXvUFMgt5cafJ7Fn8VSI_EX3KcMKHBvaLT7OJx3B-Twoy4B5HZJ508rkIexpAPn7SWLnMR-mT1qnBF4SGffG7GDA0wrEG-fEcYkvDPlRJ5dLHUH3Ys3doRgzb-9XBMUywt7wElV9ATGp5VgJn2zGr63vy8eUjkuPrk7UgRJTM?purpose=inline) Labour — renewables and household generation Labour says it would restore the ban on new oil and gas exploration while supporting household solar, batteries and stronger consumer protections. Trade-off: more solar and batteries can reduce grid demand and provide some resilience, but the electricity system still needs sufficient generation and backup during prolonged periods of low renewable output. [New Zealand grants first offshore petroleum permit since reversing exploration ban](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/new-zealand-grants-first-offshore-petroleum-permit-since-reversing-exploration-2026-07-28/)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/) ![Aerial View Wairakei Geothermal Power Station, Taupo, New Zealand's North Island](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/kOMgSf9BuxJIkFuuTj0Dr6NGi1ih9oZtt3SQHLAt_u2rFHTUJKC5K5iFUwfJyETzap9G6KMz_cx09jB2jzSpfvn2vkXCfhZSRe1-MQfmeV1YBtbsj-38Eym3yAqSeIz1t_S63YUz8w_cwSoKnMBWrVhehDwF_642zAITNtVpIwN8jJD-4B30cHF_HqSYcHkt?purpose=inline) Green Party — renewable generation and Kiwipower The Greens propose using public investment to expand renewable electricity, develop backup capacity and address the dry-year problem. They oppose the proposed LNG import facility. Trade-off: this approach would reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels if enough renewable generation, storage and other dependable capacity were developed. Delivering that capacity requires investment, infrastructure and time. [Green Party launches plan to cut power bills and take power back from the big energy companies](https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_launches_plan_to_cut_power_bills_and_take_power_back_from_the_big_energy_companies)[Power Prices for 2026](https://stuff.powercompare.co.nz/n/election-2026-what-the-major-parties-are-promising-on-power-and-energy) ![ACT New Zealand (@actparty) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/BzYRXFRV3eKCX2l3W7FoCtRg4smXr3kkVpkl3G5K6TEbgg9agnMFGUU88q4E4UNtwE1BiLmXLD8YLeTCrnZRw2m5V1MSBsq-t63FMtJ6jYOnfqXJJmcWQwbQdvT9WEhIPqXOpIHvAYlD6w3IzQ5_ouSAS_lUy3PHb9t0i3SY9ko?purpose=inline) ACT — investment and more generation ACT favours faster approvals for new energy projects, more private investment in electricity infrastructure and keeping domestic oil and gas exploration available. Trade-off: this approach relies on investors responding to market opportunities and building enough new capacity to meet demand. [ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/abundant-electricity-will-ease-cost-of-living)[ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act-delivers-offshore-oil-and-gas-is-back) ![Patterson, Mark - New Zealand Parliament](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/m6YafZsiwH6iR3Qfegz6rrn5E84BV3i5dG6b5eD8Ldoq_oWOe9uE3dxA-W4wHNtKAvh2KfC15wRGdz_zhqztzywpDlCviFJvmUeDJbjzDOskVPOVyCTpxDLVMgicryNQAPuzbh6Gr7mkAgUPWf-m3NBG7Wml7WgvitliCPbswpo?purpose=inline) New Zealand First — identify and develop domestic resources Its proposed $1 billion national subsurface survey would investigate potential energy resources, including oil, gas and geothermal energy. The party wants to develop viable discoveries to strengthen national energy independence. Trade-off: surveys can identify potential resources, but commercial discoveries, production and any effect on consumer prices could take years and are not guaranteed. [Future Proofing our Fuel Security](https://www.nzfirst.nz/future_proofing_our_fuel_security) ## 4. What are the key differences for households? | If your main concern is… | The policy difference to examine | | --- | --- | | Lowering electricity bills now | Labour's consumer protections and solar support versus National and ACT's competition and network-cost reforms | | Changing how electricity companies operate | New Zealand First's proposed separation of generation and retail, and the Greens' public-ownership approach | | Keeping petrol taxes down | Labour's three-year freeze versus National's revised schedule of increases from 2028 | | Reducing dependence on overseas energy | National and ACT's support for domestic oil and gas development; New Zealand First's resource-survey proposal; Labour and Greens' greater emphasis on renewables | | Avoiding electricity shortages in dry years | Compare each party's plans for dependable generation, storage and backup, not just its renewable-energy targets | These distinctions reflect the parties' published positions as of October 2026. [Affordable power Kiwis can rely on](https://www.national.org.nz/news/261002-simeonbrown)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/)["Power to the People" - Winston Peters - State of the Nation 2026](https://www.nzfirst.nz/power_to_the_people_sotn_2026)[Green Party launches plan to cut power bills and take power back from the big energy companies](https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_launches_plan_to_cut_power_bills_and_take_power_back_from_the_big_energy_companies)[ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/abundant-electricity-will-ease-cost-of-living)[Future Proofing our Fuel Security](https://www.nzfirst.nz/future_proofing_our_fuel_security) One important distinction: a promise to reduce energy costs is not the same as a guaranteed reduction in your bill. The most useful questions are what each party will change, how it will fund those changes, how quickly new supply can be delivered, and who will bear the cost if the plan falls short. For the complete published policy comparisons, see [Policy.nz's 2026 election guide](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/economy?utm_source=chatgpt.com), alongside the individual party announcements linked above. ## Gemini Answer ID: 37561558-1b48-493b-a3be-bee25c7079a5 Energy policy is a major battleground in the **2026 New Zealand general election**, with political parties offering sharply contrasting approaches to tackling power prices, transport and fuel costs, and the security of the country's energy supply. --- ### 1. Electricity Prices and Market Structure Rising power bills have driven competing proposals over how to handle New Zealand’s major energy companies (the "gentailers" who both generate and retail electricity): * **NZ First:** Proposes a aggressive, Telecom-style structural split of the big four gentailers to separate generation from retail arms, aiming to dismantle corporate market power and lower household bills. * **The Greens:** Strongly support breaking up the gentailer model via legislation, arguing that integrated companies profit excessively from high spot prices rather than investing in cheaper supply. * **Labour:** Leaves the door open to structural market separation while focusing heavily on household self-generation. Labour's **SolarSaver** policy proposes government-backed finance, targeted grants (up to $3,000 for eligible households), plug-in solar options for renters, and fairer grid buy-back rates. They also propose outlawing price gouging with tougher Commerce Commission powers. * **National:** Opposes breaking up power companies, preferring to boost supply and competition. Their **Electrify NZ** platform includes the Home Energy Fund (offering property-linked, low-interest loans for solar panels, batteries, and insulation) and pushes to make energy affordability an explicit regulatory objective for the Electricity Authority. * **ACT:** Rejects structural breakups and consumer subsidies, arguing that market supply and cutting red tape/regulatory hurdles are the true cures for high prices. --- ### 2. Fuel Costs and Transport Policies regarding liquid fuels and refining infrastructure expose deep ideological divides over fossil fuels and market intervention: * **NZ First:** Strongly champions domestic fuel security, having previously pushed to investigate reopening the Marsden Point oil refinery (calling its closure "economic treason") and supporting strategic fuel reserves. * **National:** While critical of the initial closure of Marsden Point, they have accepted that reopening costs are prohibitive and have instead pivoted toward boosting national fuel storage capacity and relying on market-driven fuel supply chains. * **Labour & The Greens:** Defend the closure of Marsden Point as a private business decision and point toward transport electrification, public transport investment, and low-emissions incentives (such as accelerated depreciation or tax settings for low-emissions fleets) to structurally lower fuel dependence. * **ACT:** Firmly opposes government intervention in fuel refining or market bailouts, emphasizing deregulation. --- ### 3. Security of Energy Supply Ensuring the grid stays stable through dry years and shifting away from—or leaning into—fossil fuels has generated distinct strategies: * **National & ACT (The Center-Right):** Focus heavily on expanding primary energy supply. National has moved to promote domestic gas exploration (passing the Crown Minerals Amendment Act to prioritize exploration) and backed an LNG import facility to provide backup thermal generation during hydro-constrained dry years. ACT similarly pushes to scrap restrictions on offshore oil and gas exploration to secure abundant baseline energy. * **Labour, The Greens, & The Opportunities Party (The Center-Left/Green Bloc):** Strongly oppose new fossil fuel exploration, pledging to reinstate exploration bans. They view energy security as being achieved through an accelerated transition to a "renewable energy superpower"—tripling renewable capacity (wind, solar, and grid-scale storage) and dampening peak demand through localized household and community batteries. --- ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: bc5458b3-f0b0-4762-8201-0592e85335e5 The major political parties approach energy policy, electricity prices, fuel costs, and supply security through distinct economic and environmental lenses ahead of the **7 November 2026 New Zealand general election**. Detailed party-by-party positions—tracked via platforms like Policy.nz—divide broadly between market-led deregulation, state intervention, and rapid decarbonisation. * * * Overview of Party Positions on Energy and Fuel Party| Approach to Electricity Prices & Competition| Approach to Fuel Costs & Transport| Security of Energy Supply & Generation ---|---|---|--- **National / ACT (Coalition/Center-Right)**| Emphasize market competition, removing regulatory bottlenecks, and reversing the ban on oil and gas exploration to drive down wholesale costs.| Oppose new fuel taxes; favor roading infrastructure investment and lower compliance costs on freight and motorists.| Focus on lifting gas exploration bans, unlocking geothermal and mineral potential, and expanding private-sector generation. **Labour (Center-Left)**| Support market oversight, investigating or restructuring dominant generator-retailers (gentailers) to protect household power bills.| Retain targeted cost-of-living supports; back cleaner transport alternatives and EV transition incentives rather than heavy fossil fuel reliance.| Emphasize renewable transition (wind, solar, hydro firming) while managing dry-year hydro lake storage risks. **Green Party (Left)**| Propose direct financial relief, community-owned renewable energy, and strict price controls or windfall taxes on excess corporate profits.| Shift subsidies away from fossil fuels toward public transport, active travel, and rapid fleet electrification.| Rapid phase-out of fossil gas, scaling up local solar and wind, and building grid resilience through decentralized storage. **NZ First (Populist / Nationalist)**| Focus on domestic energy independence, scrutinising gentailer margins, and lowering living costs for regional households.| Oppose regional fuel taxes and carbon-pricing mechanisms that inflate petrol and diesel prices at the pump.| Support a mix of traditional and domestic energy reserves (including gas security) to prevent blackouts and high winter spot prices. * * * Key Policy Breakdown by Area 1\. Electricity Prices * * **National & ACT:** Argue that high electricity prices stem from a shortage of generation capacity and regulatory red tape. Their approach relies on increasing supply by cutting restrictions on new generation and reopening oil and gas exploration to keep thermal backing cheap when hydro lakes are low. * **Labour:** Focus on market power within the electricity sector, proposing closer scrutiny of the major gentailers (Mercury, Meridian, Genesis, Contact) to ensure wholesale pricing doesn't unfairly gouge domestic consumers. * **Greens:** Advocate for structural market reform, direct energy-efficiency grants for low-income homes, and scaling up community-owned solar and wind installations to bypass corporate markup. [Public Health Communication Centre] * 2\. Fuel Costs * * **National & ACT:** Generally oppose new excise taxes or regional fuel levies (such as Auckland's regional fuel tax), positioning lower fuel costs as essential for transport, logistics, and cost-of-living relief. * **Labour & Greens:** Attribute high fuel prices to global oil market shocks and climate externalities, aiming to reduce long-term household exposure through public transport investment and accelerated EV uptake rather than permanent petrol tax cuts. * 3\. Security of Energy Supply * * **Right-of-Centre (National, ACT, NZ First):** Emphasize **energy security** through domestic resource availability. Policies include reversing the ban on offshore and onshore oil/gas exploration, supporting subsurface geological surveys for geothermal and gas, and ensuring thermal/gas peaker plants remain available during low-hydro " dry year" winter scenarios. * **Left-of-Centre (Labour, Greens):** Define security through a rapid transition to 100% renewable electricity systems, battery storage, and localized micro-grids, warning that locking in long-term fossil fuel reliance exposes New Zealand to volatile international commodity markets and carbon liabilities.