Title
[Repealed]
1 Short Title and commencement
1A Purposes
Part 1
Preliminary provisions
2 Interpretation
3 Act to bind the Crown
Part 2
General
Electricity operators
4 Declaration of electricity distributors as electricity operators
4A Declaration of electricity generators as electricity operators
Functions and powers of Secretary
5 Functions of Secretary
6 Inspection of works, etc
7 Report to be compiled on inspection
8 Special powers of Secretary
9 Objections to Secretary's requirements
10 Effect of notice or requirement pending hearing
11 Procedure on hearing of objection
12 Appeal on question of law
13 Secretary may require immediate compliance
14 Appeal against decision on application for injunction
15 Assessors
16 Notification of accidents
16A Transfer of accident information
17 Interference with scene of accident
18 Inquiries into accidents
19 Assistance to Secretary
20 Obstructing Secretary
21 Privilege against self-incrimination
Part 3
Powers and duties of electricity operators and other owners of electrical works
22 Protection of existing works
22A Owners of land not responsible for maintenance
23 Rights of entry in respect of existing works
23A Line owner must give written notice of intention to maintain or complete existing works
23B Line owner must give notice of intention to inspect or operate existing works
23C Notice in emergencies
23D Land owner may set reasonable conditions on line owner's entry
23E Agreements preserved
23F Disputes about land access
24 Construction or maintenance of works on roads
24A Criteria for setting reasonable conditions
25 Notice to be given before work undertaken
26 Offence
27 Appeals in relation to conditions imposed
28 Determination of appeals
29 Appeal on question of law
30 Charging for access to road reserve
31 Rights of entry in respect of level crossings
32 Local authority, etc, may require works to be moved
33 Cost of work required under section 32
34 Government Roading Powers Act 1989 not to apply
35 Owners and occupiers of private land may move works
Part 4
Electrical codes of practice
36 Issue of electrical code of practice
37 Code may incorporate official standards by reference
38 Code to be approved by Minister
39 Availability of codes
40 Emergency amendment of code
41 Citation of code
42 Proof of code
43 Codes promulgated under Electricity Act 1968
43A Different Ministries responsible for different codes
Part 5
Rural electrical reticulation
[Repealed]
44 Rural Electrical Reticulation Council [Repealed]
45 Functions of Council [Repealed]
46 Council to comply with government policies [Repealed]
47 Further provisions applying to Council [Repealed]
48 Levies [Repealed]
49 Interest on levies [Repealed]
50 Application of levies [Repealed]
51 Transitional provision relating to subsidies [Repealed]
52 Transitional provision relating to membership of Council [Repealed]
53 Council to wind up operations before dissolution [Repealed]
54 Dissolution of Council [Repealed]
55 Expiration of provisions relating to Council [Repealed]
56 Consequential amendment to Official Information Act 1982 [Repealed]
Part 6
Miscellaneous provisions relating to supply of electricity
57 Compensation for damage
58 Compensation for trees and vegetation removed
59 Returns relating to construction of works, etc
60 Standards for electricity supply
61 Safety requirements
61A Electricity generators and electricity distributors must have safety management systems
62 Continuance of supply [Repealed]
Part 6A
Restriction on new fossil-fuelled thermal electricity generating capacity
[Repealed]
Preliminary provisions
62A Purpose of this Part [Repealed]
62B Expiry of this Part [Repealed]
62C Interpretation [Repealed]
Restriction on connection and operation of specified generation plant
62D Restriction on connection and operation of specified generation plant [Repealed]
62E Additional penalty for breach involving commercial gain [Repealed]
Exemptions
62F Minister of Energy may grant exemption [Repealed]
62G Minister of Energy may only grant exemption if satisfied of certain matters [Repealed]
62H Grounds and terms and conditions of exemption [Repealed]
62I Public consultation on recommendations [Repealed]
62J Publication of exemption and reasons [Repealed]
62K Revocation of exemption [Repealed]
62L Commission may grant temporary emergency exemption [Repealed]
Enforcement
62M Commission must monitor compliance [Repealed]
Commission may use information collected or provided under regulations or rules
62N Commission may use information collected or provided under regulations or rules [Repealed]
Regulations
62O Regulations for purposes of this Part [Repealed]
Part 7
Price restraint
[Repealed]
63 Regulations relating to price of electricity [Repealed]
64 Definition of domestic premises [Repealed]
65 Offences [Repealed]
66 Other Acts relating to price control not affected [Repealed]
67 Expiry of this Part [Repealed]
Part 8
Licensing of electricity suppliers
[Repealed]
68 Definition of consumer for purposes of this Part [Repealed]
69 Licence to supply electricity [Repealed]
70 Offence [Repealed]
71 Supply of electricity to consumers outside supply area [Repealed]
72 Duty to supply [Repealed]
73 Expiry of this Part [Repealed]
Part 9
Restrictions on electrical work
74 Restrictions on doing or assisting with prescribed electrical work
Exemptions
75 Board may exempt person or class of persons from section 74
76 Exemption for work done under supervision
77 Exemption for trainees
78 Board may issue limited certificate for purposes of section 77
79 Exemption for domestic electrical wiring work
80 Exemption for maintenance of domestic appliances
Board may cancel application of exemption
81 Board may cancel application of exemption to any person
Testing, certification, and inspection
82 Testing, certification, and inspection
83 Power of entry
Part 10
Registration and licensing of electrical workers and employer licences
Subpart 1—Electrical worker registration and licensing
Classes of registration
84 Classes of registration may be designated by Board
85 Board may prescribe other registration and licensing matters
86 Minimum standards for registration
87 Principles guiding prescribing of registration and licensing matters
88 Board must consult before publishing notices
89 Notices published under sections 84 and 85 must be approved by Minister
90 Other provisions relating to notices under sections 84 and 85
How to become registered
91 Entitlement to registration
92 Applications for registration
93 Board may issue provisional licence pending consideration of application
94 Duration of provisional licence
95 Board to consider application
96 Board to register applicant or decline application
97 Registration subject to terms and conditions
How to become licensed
98 Practising licence required
99 Entitlement to practising licence
100 Applications for practising licence
101 Board to consider application
102 Board to issue practising licence or decline application
103 Practising licence subject to terms and conditions
Duration and renewal of practising licence
104 Duration of practising licence
105 Applications for renewal of practising licence
106 Renewal of practising licence
Exemptions from registration and practising licence requirements and conditions
107 Board may grant exemptions from registration and practising licence requirements and conditions
Competence
108 Competence programmes
109 Unsatisfactory results of competence programme
Cancellation and suspension
110 Cancellation and suspension generally
111 Effect of suspension
112 Board may cancel registration or licence if obtained wrongfully
113 Cancellation or suspension of overseas qualification, certificate, registration, or licence
Miscellaneous provision
114 Board may delegate power to Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board to act under this subpart
Subpart 2—Employer licences
115 Employer licence
116 Requirements treated as satisfied if person obtains certification from approved person
117 Prescribed electrical work may be done under employer licence
118 Duration of employer licence
119 Renewal of employer licence
120 Cancellation, suspension, and other actions in relation to employer licences
121 Board must give employer licence holder reasonable opportunity to be heard
122 Miscellaneous provisions concerning actions under section 120
123 Powers of inspection
Subpart 3—Register of electrical workers
124 Register of electrical workers
125 Registrar must enter matters in register
126 Purpose of register
127 Form of register
128 Matters to be contained in register
129 Historical registration and licence information and documentation to be included in register
130 Duty to notify change of address
131 Duty to notify change of name
132 Revision of register
133 Restoration of registration or licence
134 Board may direct Registrar to record cancellation, suspension, or order
135 Alterations to register
136 Register to be public
137 Restricting public access to information and documents on register
138 Search of register
139 Search criteria
140 Search purposes
141 When search constitutes interference with privacy of individual
Part 11
Disciplinary provisions
Preliminary provisions
142 Persons to whom this Part applies
143 Disciplinary offence
Complaints
144 Complaints
Investigations
145 Secretary must appoint investigator
146 Investigation of complaint
147 Investigator's powers
147A Secretary must supply warrant of authority
147B Duties of investigator supplied with warrant of authority
147C Restriction on entry to dwellinghouse
147D Investigator must give notice to occupier of dwellinghouse
147E Notices to supply information or documents
147F Offence to fail to comply with notice to supply information or document
Consideration of complaint by Board
147G Board must hold hearing if investigator reports that complaint should be considered by Board
147H Notice of disciplinary proceedings
Interim suspension or disqualification
147I Interim suspension or disqualification
147J Form of interim suspension or disqualification order
147K Revocation of interim suspension or disqualification
147L Board must take reasonable steps to hold hearing as soon as practicable if it makes interim suspension or disqualification order
Exercise of disciplinary powers
147M Disciplinary powers of Board
147N Costs and expenses
147O Enforcement of fines, costs, and expenses
147P Suspension, restriction, or disqualification may take effect immediately
147Q Effect of disqualification
147R Consequences of failure to comply with order to pass examination, complete competence programme, or attend course of instruction
Procedure and miscellaneous matters
147S Right to appear and be heard
147T Investigator to prosecute matter
147U Appointment of legal advisor to assist Board
147V Appointment of persons to assist investigator
147W Evidence
147X Board to have powers of commission of inquiry
147Y Orders to be in writing
147Z Publication of orders
Part 12
Appeals
147ZA Appeals
147ZB Time for lodging appeal
147ZC Procedure on appeal
147ZD Court may refer appeals back for reconsideration
147ZE Costs
147ZF Power of court to prohibit publication of person's name or affairs
147ZG Decision to continue in force pending appeal
147ZH Appeal on question of law
Part 13
Administration
Electrical Workers Registration Board
148 Electrical Workers Registration Board
149 Functions of Board
150 Membership
151 Registrar
152 Delegation of functions and powers
153 Meetings to be held in public
Complaints Assessment Committees
[Repealed]
154 Complaints Assessment Committees [Repealed]
155 Secretary to maintain list [Repealed]
General provisions
156 Rules of natural justice to be observed
156A Power to amend or revoke
156B Notice and service of documents by Board, member, Registrar, or investigator
157 Further provisions applying to Board
158 Review of operation of Act
Part 14
Miscellaneous provisions
Subpart 1—General electricity matters
Financial statements of customer and community trusts
[Repealed]
158A Community and customer trusts to prepare audited financial statements [Repealed]
158B Publication of audited financial statements [Repealed]
158C Auditor of trusts [Repealed]
158D Procedures for annual meeting to appoint auditor [Repealed]
158E Auditor-General to be auditor if no other auditor appointed [Repealed]
158F Application of sections 158A to 158E [Repealed]
Complaints resolution system
[Repealed]
158G Complaints resolution system [Repealed]
Powers of entry
159 Conditions relating to power to enter land or premises
Offences
160 False declarations and representations
161 Unlicensed or unregistered person must not claim to be licensed or registered
162 Offence to engage in prescribed electrical work in breach of section 74
163 Offence to employ person to engage in prescribed electrical work in breach of section 74
163A Offence to fail to comply with condition of employer licence
163B Offence to breach requirement to have safety management system
163C Offences for actions or omissions likely to cause serious harm or significant property damage
163D Other offences
164 Directors and officers of bodies corporate
165 Time for laying information
Infringement offences
165A Infringement offences
165B Infringement notices
165C Procedural requirements for infringement notices
165D Payment of infringement fee
165E Effect of infringement notice
Miscellaneous provisions
166 Payment of fees
167 Certificate by Registrar to be evidence of various matters
168 Notices in relation to Maori land
Regulations—General
169 Regulations
169A Regulations that prescribe requirements for safety management systems
169B Miscellaneous provisions relating to regulations that prescribe requirements for safety management systems
Regulations—Information disclosure
[Repealed]
170 Regulations relating to information disclosure [Repealed]
Regulations—Consumer choice of electricity retailer
[Repealed]
170A Regulations relating to ability of consumers to choose preferred electricity retailer [Repealed]
171 Information to be supplied to Secretary [Repealed]
171A Reasonable charge may be imposed for providing copies of statements [Repealed]
172 Offences [Repealed]
Subpart 2—Electricity industry regulation-making powers
[Repealed]
172A Outline of subpart [Repealed]
Regulations—Low fixed charge tariff option for domestic consumers
[Repealed]
172B Low fixed charge tariff option for domestic consumers [Repealed]
Regulations—Code on access for beneficiaries of community and customer trusts
[Repealed]
172C Regulations for code on access for beneficiaries of customer and community trusts [Repealed]
Regulations—Reserve energy
[Repealed]
172CA Reserve energy [Repealed]
Electricity governance regulations
[Repealed]
172D Electricity governance regulations [Repealed]
172E Conditions and process for recommendations on electricity governance regulations [Repealed]
172F Assessment of proposed electricity governance regulations [Repealed]
172G Process for recommendations on other electricity governance regulations [Repealed]
172H Electricity governance rules [Repealed]
172I Method of making electricity governance rules [Repealed]
Supplementary provisions
[Repealed]
172J Supplementary empowering provision for regulations and rules [Repealed]
172K Supplementary empowering provision for regulations [Repealed]
Provisions that apply if electricity governance regulations or rules are in force
[Repealed]
172KA Transmission agreements [Repealed]
172KB Party must co-operate with investigations [Repealed]
172KC Privileges protected [Repealed]
172KD Limits on investigation powers [Repealed]
172KE Rulings Panel may make certain orders [Repealed]
172KF Restriction of remedies [Repealed]
172KG Limit on tort claims against service providers [Repealed]
Appeals
[Repealed]
172KH Appeals on ground of lack of jurisdiction [Repealed]
172KI Judicial review not precluded [Repealed]
172KJ Appeals on question of law in relation to decisions by Commission or Rulings Panel [Repealed]
172KK Right of appeal against suspension or termination orders [Repealed]
172KL Persons entitled to appeal [Repealed]
172KM Determination of appeals [Repealed]
172KN High Court may refer appeals back to Commission or Rulings Panel for reconsideration [Repealed]
172KO Provisions pending determination of appeal [Repealed]
172KP High Court may order proceedings be heard in private [Repealed]
172KQ Appeal to Court of Appeal in certain cases [Repealed]
Part 15
Governance of electricity industry
[Repealed]
Preliminary provisions
[Repealed]
172L Purpose [Repealed]
Subpart 1—Electricity Governance Board
[Repealed]
172M Continuation of Commission [Repealed]
172N Principal objectives and specific outcomes [Repealed]
172O Functions of Commission [Repealed]
172P Body corporate status and powers [Repealed]
172Q Role of board of the Commission [Repealed]
172R Membership of the Commission's board [Repealed]
Duties of members
[Repealed]
172S Duties of members [Repealed]
172T Collective duties of the Commission's board [Repealed]
172U Members accountable to Minister [Repealed]
172V Notice of special meetings of Commission's board [Repealed]
Role of the Commission in relation to electricity governance regulations and rules
[Repealed]
172W EGB to make recommendations concerning electricity governance regulations and rules [Repealed]
172X Objectives of recommendations [Repealed]
172Y Obligation to consult [Repealed]
172Z Minister must have regard to recommendations [Repealed]
Power to direct EGB
[Repealed]
172ZA Power to direct EGB [Repealed]
172ZB Procedure for giving direction [Repealed]
Levy of industry participants
[Repealed]
172ZC Levy of industry participants [Repealed]
172ZCA Commission must consult about request for appropriation [Repealed]
Miscellaneous
[Repealed]
172ZD Accountability of the Commission [Repealed]
172ZE Regulations [Repealed]
172ZF The Commission is public authority [Repealed]
172ZG Amendment to Ombudsmen Act 1975 [Repealed]
172ZH Amendment to Public Finance Act 1989 [Repealed]
Subpart 2—Accountability of Electricity Commission
172ZI Application of subpart [Repealed]
172ZJ Interpretation [Repealed]
172ZK Setting of GPS objectives and outcomes [Repealed]
172ZL Annual performance standards [Repealed]
172ZM Additional information to be included in annual report [Repealed]
172ZN Minister must present annual performance report to House of Representatives [Repealed]
172ZO Assurance audit by Auditor-General [Repealed]
172ZP Report by Parliamentary Commissioner for Environment [Repealed]
172ZQ Functions under this subpart [Repealed]
Subpart 3—Miscellaneous provisions
172ZR Specific authorisation for purposes of restrictive trade practices rules [Repealed]
Part 16
Repeals, etc, and transitional provisions
Repeals, revocations, amendments, and savings
173 Repeals, revocations, and consequential amendments
174 Regulations deemed to have been made under this Act
175 Savings
176 Application of Clutha Development (Clyde Dam) Empowering Act 1982 [Repealed]
177 Middle line Proclamation relating to Hairini-Mount Maunganui transmission line [Repealed]
Amendment to Electricity Act 1968
178 Rights of entry for energy companies
Amendment to Electrical Registration Act 1979
179 Certificate of compliance where prescribed electrical work covered by building consent
Transitional provisions
180 Transitional provision relating to electricity agreements
181 Electricity distributors to ensure provision of inspection services
182 Transitional provisions relating to proceedings, etc
Schedule 1
Provisions applying in respect of Rural Electrical Reticulation Council
[Repealed]
Schedule 2
Provisions applying in respect of Electrical Workers Registration Board
Schedule 2A
Further provisions for the Commission and the Commission's Board
[Repealed]
Schedule 3
Enactments repealed
Schedule 4
Enactments amended
Schedule 5
Regulations and orders revoked
Schedule 6
Regulations deemed to have been made pursuant to section 169
Electricity Amendment Act 2001
Electricity Amendment Act 2006
Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010
Search and Surveillance Act 2012
Reprint notes