AM Edition: Here are the top 10 politics articles on LiveNews.co.nz for October 3, 2026 – Full Text
1. Government progresses plan changes to enable growth for New Plymouth
October 2, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Targeted changes to New Plymouth’s District Plan will make it easier for homeowners and developers to build, alter homes, and make better use of land, while removing unnecessary consenting requirements and other planning barriers to growth, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Planning rules should support growth, enable development, and avoid imposing unnecessary costs and delays that hold back investment and jobs.”
The changes follow an investigation under section 360I of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), including consultation with affected parties and the public, and consideration of feedback received. The investigation was initiated in February 2026 following a request from the Mayor of New Plymouth.
“The investigation found that a number of provisions in the New Plymouth District Plan are negatively impacting economic growth and development outcomes,” Mr Bishop says.
“Following consultation and careful consideration of the feedback received, I have decided to progress a package of targeted amendments to address those issues.
“The changes will amend provisions relating to eaves and residential building coverage controls, outlook space requirements for dwellings, outdoor living space requirements, disability parking requirements, minimum driveway width requirements, maximum earthworks cut depths and fill heights, alterations to existing structures, living activities in the Mixed-Use Zone, and the definition of the indicative road transport network.
“These are practical and targeted changes that will remove unnecessary consenting requirements, reduce costs for applicants, and improve the overall efficiency of the planning system while maintaining appropriate environmental safeguards.”
The consultation process received 20 submissions, which were carefully considered as part of the decision-making process.
“After considering all of the available information, I am satisfied that these provisions are having a negative impact on economic growth, development capacity or employment.” Mr Bishop says.
“The Government is focused on ensuring planning rules support investment, development and employment while avoiding unnecessary costs and delays.
“The targeted changes to the New Plymouth District Plan will help improve the efficiency of the planning system and reduce barriers to growth.”
The New Plymouth District Council provided a formal response to the investigation report on 7 August 2026.
The Government will now progress regulations being drafted before returning to Cabinet with draft regulations for approval.
Notes to editors
- The Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA) allows the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform to modify or remove plan provisions that are negatively affecting economic growth, development capacity or employment.
- Twenty submissions were received during consultation. Fifty per cent supported the amendments, 40 per cent opposed them, and 10 per cent were partially supportive and partially opposed.
- The Government intends to implement the changes through regulations under sections 360I to 360O of the RMA.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/02/government-progresses-plan-changes-to-enable-growth-for-new-plymouth/
Back to index · Read original article
2. Pharmacies to provide more funded medicines
October 2, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Pharmac and Health New Zealand are increasing the number of funded medicines community pharmacies can provide from today, Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown say.
“It’s important to Kiwis that they have fast access to the medicines they need close to home. Today’s proposal is one more step this Government is taking to achieve that goal,” Mr Seymour says.
“Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals. That’s why earlier this year the government expanded services which could be delivered by pharmacies. Now they can provide funded medicines for children and their families for pain and fever management, oral rehydration, conjunctivitis and common conditions such as scabies and head lice.
“Often people living in rural and remote areas or communities with higher health needs find it difficult to get timely GP appointments. This is a common-sense approach that makes life easier and more affordable for many families across the country. Now we’re expanding the list of funded medicines they can prescribe to carry out those services.
From now, community pharmacies will be able to supply a further expanded range of funded medicines without a prescription under the Extended Pharmacy Services Programme. These medicines are:
- treatments for children with mild dermatitis
- treatments for children with skin infections
- treatments for children with oral thrush
- treatments for vaginal thrush
- selected oral contraceptives.
“This will take pressure off the health system, reduce the cost of primary care for families, and help people get the healthcare they need, when they need it and where it works for them,” Mr Seymour says.
Simeon Brown says New Zealanders will welcome being able to get a wider range of common treatments at a lower cost from their local pharmacy.
“Pharmacists are incredibly skilled health professionals. Using those skills, and pharmacies’ hours and locations in the community to dispense more subsidised treatments, is a commonsense policy,” Mr Brown says.
“The move is consistent with this Government’s commitment to improving New Zealanders’ access to timely, quality healthcare close to home.
“The move is consistent with this Government’s commitment to improving New Zealanders’ access to timely, quality healthcare close to home.
“Until now, families and individuals have either paid full over-the-counter costs for these treatments or have needed to visit a GP to access the same medicines at a subsidised cost.
“For a parent with a child who has conjunctivitis, for example, being able to walk into a pharmacy in town, talk to a pharmacist who can dispense what’s needed on the spot, without a GP appointment, will make things easier.
“It will also mean that people working away from home, or on holiday, can simply go to the nearest pharmacy for a wider range of subsidised, common treatments.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/02/pharmacies-to-provide-more-funded-medicines/
Back to index · Read original article
3. Universities – A constitution in question: new book argues case for reform – UoA
October 2, 2026
Source: Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
Friday, October 2, 2026
Unjust, illegitimate, illegal. This is how Professor Claire Charters describes New Zealand’s constitution in her new book, Sovereignty.
In Sovereignty: The Case for Constitutional Transformation, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland Professor Claire Charters argues New Zealand’s constitution fails to protect Māori rights and calls for fundamental change.
Charters (Ngāti Whakaue, Tainui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Whaoa, Ngāti Rehia), an expert in Indigenous law at Auckland Law School, challenges the foundations of New Zealand’s constitutional system and examines what the country could learn from constitutional reform overseas.
Unlike most countries, New Zealand has no single written constitutional document. Instead, its constitution follows the British model, comprising legislation, court decisions, historical documents and unwritten conventions.
Charters questions why New Zealand has been so reluctant to examine its constitutional arrangements and argues that a fundamental weakness of the system is that the courts cannot overturn legislation passed by Parliament, even if it breaches human rights, Te Tiriti o Waitangi or Indigenous peoples’ rights under international law.
“Our reluctance to question our constitution may reflect an attachment to the status quo, a desire to preserve existing privileges, or a lack of public awareness and debate.”
Although Sovereignty focuses primarily on Māori rights, Charters argues that the constitutional weaknesses she identifies have implications for everyone.
“New Zealand’s constitution doesn’t just fail Māori,” writes Charters, “it fails us all.”
Charters highlights the case of climate activist Mike Smith (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu). In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that his legal action against major greenhouse gas emitters could proceed, but the Government subsequently announced plans to legislate to prevent climate claims of this kind, illustrating Charters’ concern that Parliament can intervene in court proceedings and restrict people’s ability to pursue legal remedies.
She also points to amendments to the Oranga Tamariki Act, which removed a section requiring Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Children, to give effect to the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi and to work in partnership with iwi and hapū. Parliament proceeded with the repeal despite a Waitangi Tribunal recommendation to abandon the changes.
Drawing on years of international research, she challenges the perception that New Zealand compares favourably with other countries in protecting Indigenous peoples’ rights.
She looks particularly at Mexico, where she spent time while writing Sovereignty, and whose constitutional reforms she considers the most progressive in the world in recognising Indigenous peoples’ self-determination and rights.
Charters also highlights research by the Harvard University Project on Indigenous Governance and Development, which found that Indigenous peoples achieve better economic, social and environmental outcomes when exercising self-determination.
In the book’s final chapter, she explores options for constitutional transformation that would better realise te Tiriti o Waitangi, strengthen human rights protections and make formal space for tikanga Māori.
“I can attest to the fact that constitutional transformation is possible, should not scare us, and can contribute to a more just world.”
Sovereignty: The case for constitutional transformation by Claire Charters was published in October 2026 by Bridget Williams Books (BWB).
Back to index · Read original article
4. Next steps for Nelson Tasman weather radar
October 2, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Nelson Tasman communities are one step closer to more timely and accurate weather information, with a site selected for the region’s new weather radar.
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Associate Transport and South Island Minister James Meager say it is a significant milestone for the project, which was fast-tracked by the Government with a commitment of up to $5 million, following the severe July 2025 weather events.
Mr Meager says Nelson Tasman has limited radar coverage, relying largely on the Wellington radar, which cannot adequately monitor parts of northwest Tasman.
“The region has experienced several high-impact flooding events in recent years, including five states of emergency since 2011. The new radar will make a huge difference in better preparing communities for future disasters,” Mr Meager says.
“The radar will be located near Drumduan’s Horoirangi Peak, about 15 kilometres northeast of Nelson City and 630 metres above sea level. It provides an ideal position for monitoring weather across the region.
“MetService confirm it is on track to be operational by mid-2027. It will feature modern Doppler dual-polarisation technology, which provides more accurate rainfall estimates and enhanced weather monitoring capability.”
Mr Mitchell says the milestone reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening New Zealand’s resilience to severe weather.
“This is a big step towards improving short-term weather forecasting and rainfall mapping, helping emergency management agencies, councils, first responders and communities better prepare and respond to major events.
“Better information leads to better decisions. Whether it is emergency managers preparing for a flood event, councils monitoring river catchments, or families making decisions to keep themselves safe, this radar will provide a significant improvement in the quality and timeliness of weather information available to all.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/02/next-steps-for-nelson-tasman-weather-radar/
Back to index · Read original article
5. Patient community helps improve access to paediatric cancer medicines for young Kiwis
October 2, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown have today welcomed Pharmac’s decision to expand access to funded cancer treatments for adolescents and young adults with paediatric-origin cancers.
“For many New Zealanders, funding for pharmaceuticals is life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely. That’s why it has been a focus of this Government,” Mr Seymour says.
From 14 October Pharmac will:
Expand access under Rule 8.1(b) of the Pharmaceutical Schedule to eligible adolescents and young adults with paediatric-origin cancers who meet the approved eligibility criteria.
Enable eligible adolescents and young adults with a paediatric-origin cancer to access funded cancer medicines regardless of whether they receive treatment through a paediatric or adult haematology/oncology service.
Provide a clearer and more consistent pathway to funded cancer treatment for adolescents and young adults with paediatric-origin cancers.
“Currently, some young people with paediatric-origin cancers receive the same or very similar treatment as children but may have different access to funded medicines depending on whether they are treated in a paediatric or adult haematology/oncology service,” Mr Seymour says.
“This common-sense change will mean eligible adolescents and young adults with paediatric-origin cancers can access funded cancer medicines regardless of whether they receive care in a paediatric or adult oncology/haematology service.
“Pharmac estimate around 15 adolescents and young adults each year will become eligible for funded treatment through this change.
“Pharmac reviewed Rule 8.1(b) in 2023. During consultation Pharmac heard clearly from clinicians and the families of children and adolescent cancer patients that Rule 8.1(b) needed to work better for patients. Now we’re fixing that. Today’s decision gives effect to the final recommendation of that review.
“Pharmac has worked closely with clinical experts and cancer sector stakeholders to ensure the change is practical and supports improved health outcomes for young people with cancer.”
Mr Brown says the change will give young people with cancer, and their families, greater certainty at an incredibly difficult time.
“Young Kiwis with cancer should get treatment based on their clinical needs, not on which service they happen to be treated in. This change makes that simpler and fairer,” Mr Brown says.
“Moving from children’s to adult health services is already a big change for a young person. It shouldn’t also change which medicines they can access.
“Timely access to cancer treatment is a priority for this Government. That’s why faster cancer treatment is one of our health targets, and a clear, consistent pathway to funded medicines supports that goal.
“I want to acknowledge the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Network Aotearoa and the young people with lived experience of cancer I’ve had the privilege of meeting, whose strong advocacy has helped make this happen.
“I also want to thank the families, clinicians, and patient advocates who pushed for this change. Their voices have helped build a stronger system for young New Zealanders with cancer.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/02/patient-community-helps-improve-access-to-paediatric-cancer-medicines-for-young-kiwis/
Back to index · Read original article
6. Election 2026 – Five parties to explain how they will fund their policies at Better Taxes Election Forum
October 2, 2026
Source: Better Taxes for a Better Future
2 October 2026, 4:05pm
Show us the money: Auckland event on Monday 5 October puts tax policy on the record ahead of the General Election.
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland: Representatives from parties seeking to form the next government will take the stage at Auckland Unitarian Church in Grey Lynn on Monday 5 October to explain how they plan to raise revenue and who will carry the cost.
Chlöe Swarbrick (Green Party), Qiulae Wong (Opportunity Party), David Wilson (New Zealand First), Oriini Kaipara (Te Pāti Māori) and Deborah Russell (Labour) will take part in the Better Taxes Election Forum, hosted by journalist Guyon Espiner.
Invitations have been extended to all parties, with ACT and National yet to confirm their participation.
Tax has dominated headlines in the lead-up to the 2026 General Election, but the debate has largely overlooked what tax pays for and how parties propose to fund better futures for Aotearoa.
“Monday’s event is an opportunity to ask candidates vying to run the country to be upfront about how they will address the challenges we face now and into the future.
Ordinary people are already bearing the cost of underfunding in our health system and infrastructure. And we know we’re facing rising costs of an aging population and responding to climate change and its effects.
The bickering about how many new taxes are on the table simply doesn’t cut it. The people of New Zealand deserve some real talk in the lead up to the election.” Kate Stone, Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign Manager.
The event is organised by the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign and its coalition organisations. It asks the parties seeking to form the next government to set out how they will fund hospitals, schools, transport and water infrastructure, and how they will gather that revenue in a more balanced way.
The pressures on those services include an ageing population, climate change, intergenerational inequity and the growing concentration of economic and political power.
Event details
- What: Better Taxes Election Forum: Show us the money!
- When: Monday 5 October 2026. Doors open 5.30pm, start 6pm
- Where: Auckland Unitarian Church, 1A Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
- Host: Guyon Espiner
- Panellists: Chlöe Swarbrick (Green Party), Qiulae Wong (Opportunity Party), David Wilson (New Zealand First), Oriini Kaipara (Te Pāti Māori), Deborah Russell (Labour). ACT and National yet to confirm their participation.
In person registration: bettertaxes.nz/better-taxes-election-forum
Live stream registration: bettertaxes.nz/livestreambetter-taxes-election-forum
About Better Taxes for a Better Future
Better Taxes for a Better Future is a campaign of coalition organisations. More information: bettertaxes.nz
Regional events: bettertaxes.nz/events
Back to index · Read original article
7. Election 2026 – Greens commitment to full pay equity for care and support workers sets benchmark
October 1, 2026
Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
The Green Party’s commitment to fully settle the care and support workers’ pay equity claim within the first 100 days of a new government is news 65,000 workers have been waiting to hear.
The Greens today announced their commitment to repealing the Government’s changes to the Equal Pay Act, restoring the original law and settling the care and support workers’ claim. They also committed to pass legislation to settle the claim if that is what it takes.
“This announcement sets the benchmark on what is needed for pay equity to become a reality for care and support workers in New Zealand,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The commitment is welcome and we are pleased the Green Party has accepted the proven undervaluation and that this settlement must occur quickly.
“The party’s commitment to a 30 percent pay equity uplift would put $350 a week in the pocket of a full-time care and support worker. The average worker, who works 62 percent of full-time hours, would get $220 a week more.
“This will be life changing for workers who are doing it tough in a cost-of-living crisis. Many are back on the minimum wage because of the failure to update their previous settlement.
“The funding of over $1 billion annually to settle this claim must also be seen as an investment in this critical workforce as our population ages. Care and support workers are the backbone of the health and disability system.
“Restoring pay equity also makes economic sense. PSA analysis based on Treasury’s own model shows reinstating all the cancelled pay equity settlements would grow the economy by $13.5 billion over four years, create around 13,000 jobs, and lift an estimated 11,000 children out of poverty.
“The Labour Party said this week it will reverse the pay equity changes and put care and support workers at the front of the queue. This must be a full funded settlement. Care and support workers have waited long enough.
“The choice this election is now clear between parties who value the work of care and support workers and all underpaid women, and the parties in government who sacrificed women to make their Budget numbers work.
“The PSA urges voters to change this government and elect a new government that delivers for women.”
Sarah Strid, a care and support worker and PSA member said, “I’ve done care work for years and I know what this work is worth. And we proved it. The claim is ready to go. So, hearing the Greens say they will fully settle it in the first 100 days means a lot to me. It’s what needs to happen.”
Statement re undervaluation of care and support workers
29 September Opening of books must force Opposition parties to commit to pay equity
The PSA and the NZ Nurses Organisation reveal publicly the precise historic undervaluation of care and support workers showing they have been underpaid by between 24 percent and 38 percent.
Pay equity poll
26 September Pay equity poll: voters say make the fiscals wait, not women!
PSA analysis of economic and fiscal upside to restoring pay equity
9 September Restoring pay equity would boost income of 91,000 families by $300/week – PSA analysis
23 August Govt’s axing of pay equity cost jobs & GDP growth – PSA analysis
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Back to index · Read original article
8. Election 2026 – Free Palestine Party Statement on the UNGA
October 1, 2026
Source: Free Palestine Party
The Free Palestine party says the government’s failure to walk out of Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent speech in the UN is shameful, and makes New Zealand complicit in genocide.
‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ This famous quote is often used to describe the rise of fascism in Germany. It could be used in today’s world to describe what is happening with the Holocaust in Gaza and the Palestinian occupied Territories, and the attacks on Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba to name but a few. Except New Zealand doesn’t have good men in government, it has greedy, gutless, small minded men.
The New Zealand government’s lack of a spine or any sort of independent foreign policy means that we are actively assisting in this evil arising in the world. Our government maintains its alliances through the five eyes, ANZUS, and other numerous security arrangements with the US, that makes us complicit in the Holocaust in Palestine and illegal attacks on Iran and many other countries around the world.
New Zealand’s armed forces have participated in military exercises with the genocidal forces of Israel, in combined military exercises during the ongoing genocide (RIMPAC June-August 2024). There are currently 40 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed to the Middle East, with 20 of these personnel stationed in Bahrain working for the combined maritime forces of the US Navy central command.
The New Zealand government doubled down on its lack of an independent foreign policy in its gutless reaction to Trump’s speech at the UN, where US President Trump threatened to annihilate the entire civilization of Iran in a veiled threat to use the US’s vast nuclear arsenal. The New Zealand government foreign minister’s response to this threat by a country that has the capacity to carry out the biggest genocide in world history was ‘that is unhelpful’.
An independent foreign policy and getting out of all military alliances and security arrangements with the US and western powers is a key platform point of the Free Palestine Party. Having these military and security arrangements makes New Zealand a mere vassal of the US and Western Europe.
To break with New Zealand’s Imperial and Colonial past it must forge a new independent foreign policy, one that will allow us to take a moral stance and cut off all ties to the apartheid state of Israel and to sanction all economic activity with it.
Below are some of the ties between the New Zealand military and government and the US that Kiwis may be unaware of.
- Joint Commercial Operations, Auckland hosts a global tracking and monitoring hub for this network which integrates commercial satellite data for military and intelligence commands.
- Operation Olympic Defender, Designed to strengthen space dominance, New Zealand has an embedded military officer at the US space command in Colorado Springs.
- Artemis Accords, space cooperation with the US.
- Project Arcadia, US Battlefield shared command AI system
- Project Convergence, rapid data sharing and automated targeting
- Combined Joint All-Dominance Command and Control, over-arching US mega network targeting and tactical integration
- Wideband Global SATCOM network, Pentagon military satellite communications, New Zealand to help fund with the 24 million dollars, Partnership for indo-pacific industrial resilience military supply chain defence cooperation
Back to index · Read original article
9. Tech – Queensland Manufacturers can now apply for fully delivered AI projects
October 1, 2026
Source: Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub
BRISBANE, 30th September — Queensland manufacturers can apply from today for up to $250,000 worth of artificial intelligence work, built and delivered by Brisbane-based AI & Robotics for Manufacturing experts ARM Hub.
The Queensland Manufacturing AI Uplift Trial Program, open today, provides support directly from the Queensland Government for Flagship Projects. Delivery of the program will be through Brisbane’s ARM Hub, with multiple Flagship Projects anticipated for funding.
The Queensland government will cover 80 per cent of each project’s total value, with up to $250,000 available for each project. ARM Hub engineers work directly with each business to identify the right AI use case, then build and deliver it.
“The best AI projects begin with the people doing the work and a problem worth solving. The AI Adopt Uplift program will bring their expertise together combined with business data, AI infrastructure and responsible AI to improve how things are made,” said ARM Hub CEO Professor Cori Stewart.
“The goal is to help Queensland manufacturers become more productive, meet their compliance obligations and compete more effectively.”
The program is open to Queensland manufacturers with between five and 500 full-time equivalent staff. At least half those staff must work in Queensland, and the business must have operated in the state for at least two years.
Launching the program, Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last said: “We’re backing manufacturers that are ready to adopt AI to improve productivity, boost competitiveness and grow their businesses.”
At least one of the Flagship Projects will go to a business in regional Queensland, defined as anywhere outside Greater Brisbane.
How to apply
Applications will stay open for four weeks, with expressions of interest closing at the end of October. Businesses should outline their operation and where they think AI could help on the information page.
ARM Hub will work with shortlisted companies to build a roadmap scoping what an AI project would deliver, at no cost to the business.
A joint panel of ARM Hub and Queensland Government representatives assesses the roadmaps and selects the Flagship Companies, with winners expected to be announced in early 2027.
ARM Hub delivers and administers the program on behalf of the Queensland Government, through the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development. ARM Hub is the National AI Centre’s AI adoption delivery mechanism for Australian manufacturing.
Full program guidelines and eligibility criteria are available here.
About ARM Hub
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub is one of Australia’s four government-backed AI Adopt Centres. Based in Brisbane, ARM Hub partners with manufacturers, SMEs, researchers, and technology companies to drive innovation and productivity through advanced automation and AI solutions.
Back to index · Read original article
10. More protections coming for power consumers
October 2, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Recent changes by the Electricity Authority will require power companies to regularly check that their customers are on the best plans for their circumstances and will ban power companies from doing big charge backs for bills dating longer than six months, says Energy Minister Simeon Brown.
“Power bills are top of mind for many New Zealanders, especially in winter, and people want more control over their bills and electricity usage,” Mr Brown says.
“I welcome action by the Electricity Authority to impose new requirements on power companies to ensure they are informing their customers whether they are on the most affordable plan for their circumstances.
“These are common sense and necessary changes to ensure power companies are doing the right thing for their customers.
There is a deadline of 1 April next year for all power companies to fully comply.
“From time to time you hear horror stories of people being sent a massive bill because for one reason or another they have not been receiving accurate and timely bills. Catch-ups will be limited to six months under the new rules, reducing the risk of “bill shock”.
The reforms build on improvements the Authority has made over the past 18 months to strengthen consumer protections including:
- Time-of use-plans: all large power companies must now offer plans with cheaper off-peak power
- Fair rewards for solar: households generating electricity and returning it to the grid get fairer returns
- Consumer Care Obligations: all power companies must help their customers stay connected and support those struggling to pay their power bill
The new rules will mean
- Better bills: clearer and more consistent information to help consumers understand what they’re paying for
- Back bill protections: back-billing is limited to six months to reduce the risk of large unexpected catch-up charges
- Better plan checks: power companies must carry out annual ‘better-plan checks’ with customers to help identify whether the company offers a cheaper plan
“At the centre of these changes is Billy.govt.nz which is making it easier than ever for people to compare plans and switch providers using a trusted source and making power companies work harder to win and keep customers.
“I urge people to go on to Billy to see if there are savings to be made.
“When people can easily see their options and act on them, competition works better. That’s what Billy and the billing reforms are designed to achieve.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/02/more-protections-coming-for-power-consumers/
Back to index · Read original article