(ca) to provide for the regulation of fittings and electrical appliances that are, or may be, exported pursuant to an international trade instrument; and

(d) To repeal the Electric Linemen Act 1959, the Electricity Act 1968, and the Electrical Registration Act 1979

The Title of this Act was amended, as from 8 August 2001, by section 6 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40) by inserting, after the words “the regulation of the supply of electricity”, the words “and the electricity industry”. See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).
Title paragraph (ca): inserted, on 29 July 2008, by section 5 of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

BE IT ENACTED by the Parliament of New Zealand as follows:

1 Short Title and commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the Electricity Act 1992.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section and in sections 54(2) and 56(2) of this Act, this Act shall come into force on the 1st day of April 1993.

(3) Part 1, Part 4 (other than section 43), sections 63 and 64, Part 13, and sections 169, 170, 178, and 179 of this Act, and Schedule 2 to this Act, shall come into force on the day after the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent.

1A Purposes

Part 1
Preliminary provisions

2 Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
all practicable steps, in relation to achieving any result in any circumstances, means all steps to achieve the result that it is reasonably practicable to take in the circumstances, having regard to—
- (a) the nature and severity of the serious harm or significant property damage that may be suffered if the result is not achieved; and
- (b) the current state of knowledge about the likelihood that harm or damage of that nature and severity will be suffered if the result is not achieved; and
- (c) the current state of knowledge about harm or damage of that nature; and
- (d) the current state of knowledge about the means available to achieve the result, and about the likely efficacy of each of those means; and
- (e) the availability and cost of each of those means
all practicable steps: this definition was inserted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 6(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.
applicable minimum standards for registration

Approved means approved by the Board

Associated equipment means any equipment that is used, or designed or intended for use, in connection with any works or electrical installation, where such use is for construction, maintenance, or safety purposes and not for purposes that relate directly to the generation, conversion, transformation, conveyance, or use of electricity

Board means the Electrical Workers Registration Board established by section 148 of this Act

Commission means the Electricity Commission continued under subpart 1 of Part 15

Commission: this definition was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Commission's board or board, for the purposes of Part 15, means the members of the Commission's board who number not less than the required quorum acting together as a board.

Commission's board or board: this definition was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Commission's board or board: this definition was substituted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

Committee means a Complaints Assessment Committee appointed under section 154 of this Act

community trust means an electricity trust (within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998) that is a community trust under section 38 of that Act

Community trust: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

condition

Connectable installation, in relation to a vehicle, a relocatable building, or a pleasure vessel, means an electrical installation of that vehicle, relocatable building, or pleasure vessel that is designed or intended for, or capable of, connection to an external power supply that operates at or above such voltage as is prescribed for the purposes of this definition by regulations made under section 169 of this Act; and includes any electrical appliance that is connected, or intended to be connected, to any such installation

Construct includes to erect, to lay, and to place; and construction has a corresponding meaning
Consumer—
- (a) Means any person who is supplied, or who applies to be supplied, with electricity; but
- (b) Does not include any electricity generator or any electricity distributor or electricity retailer, except where the electricity generator or, as the case may be, the electricity distributor or electricity retailer is supplied, or applies to be supplied, with electricity for its own consumption and not for the purposes of resupply to any other person:
Corporation means a State enterprise within the meaning of section 2 of the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986 that is a generator of electricity and includes any subsidiary of any such State enterprise

Corporation: this definition was substituted, as from 14 May 1999, by section 100 Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (1998 No 88). See clause 2 Electricity Industry Reform Act (Commencement of Section 100) Order 1999 (SR 1999/115).

Council means the Rural Electrical Reticulation Council continued by section 44 of this Act

Customer trust means an electricity trust (within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998) that is a customer trust under section 38 of that Act

Customer trust: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Document has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Official Information Act 1982

Domestic consumer means any person who purchases or uses electricity in respect of any domestic premises

Domestic consumer: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Domestic premises means any premises that are used or intended for occupation by any person principally as a place of residence; but does not include any premises referred to in paragraphs (a) to (i) of section 90 of the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998

Domestic premises: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Dwellinghouse means any building or part of a building occupied as a separate dwelling; but does not include a meter box or meter located on the exterior of the building or the part of the building

EGB

[Repealed]

EGB: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

EGB: this definition was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

EGB's board or board

[Repealed]

EGB's board or board: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

EGB's board or board: this definition was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Electrical appliance means any appliance that uses, or is designed or intended to use, electricity, whether or not it also uses, or is designed or intended to use, any other form of energy

Electrical code of practice or code means an electrical code of practice issued pursuant to section 36 of this Act
Electrical installation—
- (a) Means all fittings—
  - (i) That form part of a system for conveying electricity; and
  - (ii) That form part of such a system at any point from the point of supply to a consumer to any point from which electricity conveyed through that system may be consumed; and
- (b) Includes any fittings that are used, or designed or intended for use, by any person, in or in connection with the generation of electricity for that person's use and not for supply to any other person; but
- (c) Does not include any electrical appliance:
Electrical wiring work means prescribed electrical work that consists of any of the following work
- (a) The installation or maintenance of electrical wiring:
- (b) The connection or disconnection of fittings to or from electrical wiring:
Electricity distributor means a person who supplies line function services to any other person or persons

Electricity generator means any person who owns or operates a generator connected to distribution or transmission lines

Electricity generator: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Electricity governance organisation

[Repealed]

Electricity governance organisation: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Electricity governance organisation: this definition was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

electricity governance regulations means regulations made under section 172D

Electricity governance regulations: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

electricity governance regulations: this definition was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).
Electricity operator means—
- (a) Any body or person that, immediately before 1 April 1993, was the holder of a licence issued under section 20 of the Electricity Act 1968 and in force immediately before that date; and
- (b) Any person declared under section 4 or 4A of this Act to be an electricity operator for the purposes of this Act or any provision or provisions of this Act:
Electricity operator: this definition was substituted, as from 14 May 1999, by section 100 Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (1998 No 88). See clause 2 Electricity Industry Reform Act (Commencement of Section 100) Order 1999 (SR 1999/115).

Electricity operator: paragraph (b) of this definition was amended, as from 22 October 2003, by section 3 Electricity Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 72) by omitting the words “by the Governor-General by Order in Council”.
Electricity retailer means a person who supplies electricity to another person or other persons for any purpose other than for resupply by the other person or persons

Employer licence means an employer licence issued under section 101 of this Act
Existing works,—
- (a) In relation to works owned by the Corporation, means any works constructed before the 1st day of January 1988; and includes any works that were wholly or partly in existence, or work on the construction of which commenced, before the 1st day of January 1988:
- (b) In relation to works owned by any other person, means any works constructed before the 1st day of January 1993; and includes any works that were wholly or partly in existence, or work on the construction of which commenced, before the 1st day of January 1993:
Fire brigade has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Fire Service Act 1975; and includes a defence fire brigade and an industrial fire brigade within the meaning of that Act

Fittings means everything used, or designed or intended for use, in or in connection with the generation, conversion, transformation, conveyance, or use of electricity

GPS objectives and outcomes has the meaning set out in section 172ZJ

GPS objectives and outcomes: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).
industry participant means—
- (a) an electricity retailer:
- (b) an electricity distributor:
- (c) an electricity generator:
- (d) a line owner:
- (e) a person who uses electricity that is conveyed to the person directly from the national grid:
- (f) a person who buys electricity on the wholesale market:
- (g) a service provider appointed under any electricity governance regulations:
- (h) an electricity metering equipment owner:
- (i) a data administrator that provides data administration services to the electricity industry,—
but does not include the Commission (even to the extent that the Commission may be acting as a service provider after an appointment under electricity governance regulations)

Industry participant: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

industry participant: this definition was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).
infringement fee

infringement notice

infringement offence

investigator

level crossing has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Railways Act 2005

Level crossing: this definition was substituted, as from 20 July 2005, by section 103(3) Railways Act 2005 (2005 No 37). See sections 105 to 111 of that Act for the transitional provisions.
Line function services means—
- (a) The provision and maintenance of works for the conveyance of electricity:
- (b) The operation of such works, including the control of voltage and assumption of responsibility for losses of electricity:
Line owner means a person that owns works that are used or intended to be used for the conveyance of electricity

lines means works that are used or intended to be used for the conveyance of electricity

lines: this definition was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Local authority means a territorial authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2002

Local authority: this definition was substituted, as from 25 December 2002, by section 52 Local Electoral Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 85).

Maintain includes to repair; and maintenance has a corresponding meaning

Minister, in any provision of this Act, means the Minister of the Crown who, under the authority of any warrant or with the authority of the Prime Minister, is responsible for the administration of that provision

Minister: this definition was substituted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 6(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

Ministry, in any provision of this Act, means the department of State that, with the authority of the Prime Minister, is responsible for the administration of that provision

Ministry: this definition was substituted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 6(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

National grid means the assets used or owned by Transpower for the purpose of conveying electricity

National grid: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).
Official standard means—
- (a) A New Zealand Standard within the meaning of the Standards Act 1988:
- (b) A standard specification prescribed by any standards organisation within the meaning of that Act:
Performance standards has the meaning set out in section 172ZJ

Performance standards: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

place

Pleasure vessel has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Shipping and Seamen Act 1952

Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board

point of supply has the meaning set out in subsection (3).

Point of supply: this definition was substituted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Power supply means a supply of electricity

practising licence
Prescribed electrical work means electrical work prescribed in regulations made under section 169 of this Act, being work that falls into any of the following categories
- (a) The construction or maintenance of electrical installations:
- (b) The maintenance of electrical appliances:
- (c) The connection or disconnection of works, electrical installations, and electrical appliances to or from a power supply, other than by means of—
  - (i) A plug; or
  - (ii) An appliance inlet; or
  - (iii) A pin—
  that is inserted into a socket outlet:
- (d) The construction or maintenance of works:
- (e)
Price includes valuable consideration in any form, whether direct or indirect; and also includes any consideration that in effect relates to the acquisition of goods or services or the acquisition or disposition of any interest in land, although ostensibly relating to any other matter or thing

Provisional licence means a provisional licence issued under section 79 of this Act
publicise, in relation to a document, means—
- (a) to make the document available to the public, at no cost, on a website maintained by or on behalf of the Commission, at all reasonable times; and
- (b) to give notice of the document in the Gazette
publicise: this definition was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).
qualified engineer means a person who, by reason of qualifications in electrical engineering,—
- (a) is registered under the Engineering Associates Act 1961 and was so registered immediately before 1 April 1993; or
- (b) was registered under the Engineers Registration Act 1924 immediately before 1 April 1993 and was also so registered immediately before the end of the transitional period (as defined in section 4 of the Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Act 2002)
qualified engineer: this definition was substituted, as from 1 January 2004, by section 76 Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Act 2002 (2002 No 17).
Qualifying experience means,—
- (a) In relation to a registered electrical service technician,—
  - (i) Experience as a registered electrical service technician:
  - (ii) Experience as the holder of a restricted certificate under the Electrical Registration Act 1979:
  - (iii) Experience as a radio-electronics serviceman under the Electrical Registration Act 1979:
  - (iv) Experience as an electrical appliance serviceman under the Electrical Registration Act 1979:
- (b) In relation to a registered line mechanic,—
  - (i) Experience as a registered line mechanic:
  - (ii) Experience as the holder of a certificate of competency as an electric lineman under the Electric Linemen Act 1959:
- (c) In relation to a registered electrician,—
  - (i) Experience as a registered electrician:
  - (ii) Experience as a registered electrician under the Electrical Registration Act 1979:
  - (iii) Experience as an electrical mechanic under the Electrical Registration Act 1979:
- (d) In relation to any registered person to whom any of paragraphs (a) to (c) applies, and who is registered pursuant to section 81, experience gained elsewhere than in New Zealand that, in the opinion of the Board, is substantially equivalent to any of the kinds of experience referred to in whichever of those paragraphs applies in respect of that registered person:
Qualifying experience: paragraph (d) of this definition was inserted, as from 28 July 1997, by section 2(1) Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42).
Recognised certificate means any certificate, or any other evidence of registration or recognition,—
- (a) That was granted outside New Zealand; and
- (b) That is evidence of proficiency in the work of an electrical service technician, an electrician, a line mechanic, or an electrical inspector; and
- (c) That is prescribed as a recognised certificate:
Register means any register kept pursuant to Part 9 of this Act

Registered means registered under Part 9 of this Act

Registered person means a registered electrical service technician, a registered electrician, a registered line mechanic, or a registered electrical inspector

Registrar means the Registrar appointed pursuant to section 151 of this Act

Relocatable building means any structure designed or adapted for human occupation that is designed to be relocatable; but does not include any tent

report date has, for the purposes of subpart 2 of Part 15, the meaning set out in section 172ZJ

Report date: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

reporting period has the meaning set out in section 172ZJ

Reporting period: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

reserve energy means energy that is secured by contract (including by contracting for demand-side savings) by, or on behalf of, the Commission for the purpose of ensuring security of supply

reserve energy: this definition was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80). See sections 27 to 29 of that Act for the transitional provision.
Road has the same meaning as in section 315 of the Local Government Act 1974; and includes a road under the jurisdiction of any local authority; and also includes a public footpath; and also includes a State highway within the meaning of section 2(1) of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989; but does not include—
- (a) A private road within the meaning of section 315 of the Local Government Act 1974; or
- (b) A motorway within the meaning of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989; or
- (c) Any roadway laid out by order of the Maori Land Court under sections 315 to 327 of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 or under any former Act, except where that order has been cancelled, or where the roadway has been declared under section 320 of that Act to be a road; or
- (d) Any level crossing:
Roading structure means any bridge, underpass, overpass, culvert, or tunnel

rules and electricity governance rules mean, for the purposes of subpart 2 of Part 14 and subpart 1 of Part 15, rules made under section 172H

rules and electricity governance rules: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Rulings Panel means the Rulings Panel established under electricity governance regulations

Rulings Panel: this definition was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 4(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Secretary, in any provision of this Act, means the chief executive of the Ministry responsible for the administration of that provision; and includes any person for the time being authorised by delegation to exercise or perform any of the powers or functions of the Secretary under that provision

Secretary: this definition was substituted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 6(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.
serious harm means—
- (a) death; or
- (b) injury that consists of or includes loss of consciousness; or
- (c) injury that necessitates the person suffering the injury—
  - (i) being admitted to hospital; or
  - (ii) receiving medical treatment from a health practitioner who is, or is deemed to be, registered with an authority established or continued by section 114 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 as a practitioner of a particular health profession
serious harm: this definition was inserted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 6(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.
Subsidiary

[Repealed]

Subsidiary: this definition was repealed, as from 28 September 1993, by section 2(1) Electricity Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 143).
Supervision, in relation to any work, means that the work is undertaken under such control and direction of a person authorised under this Act to do the work as is sufficient to ensure—
- (a) That the work is performed competently; and
- (b) That while the work is being undertaken, appropriate safety measures are adopted; and
- (c) That the completed work complies with the requirements of any regulations made under section 169 of this Act:
Supervisor of electrical work means—
- (a) A registered electrical service technician who has had in total not less than 3 years' qualifying experience:
- (b) A registered line mechanic who has had in total not less than 3 years' qualifying experience:
- (c) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, a registered electrician who has had in total not less than 3 years' qualifying experience:
- (d) A qualified engineer who, while registered under the Engineers Registration Act 1924 or the Engineering Associates Act 1961, has had in total not less than 3 years' experience in electrical engineering work:
- (e) A registered electrical inspector:
Telecommunications line means any line within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 2001

Telecommunications line: this definition was amended, as from 20 December 2001, by section 158 Telecommunications Act 2001 (2001 No 103) by substituting the expression “2001” for the expression “1987”.

Tradesperson means any person who is authorised, by section 112 of this Act, to do prescribed electrical work

Trainee means any person who is undergoing instruction or training in any class of prescribed electrical work for the purpose of obtaining registration under Part 9 of this Act

Transpower means Transpower New Zealand Limited or any subsidiary of, or successor to, that company.

Transpower: this definition was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Vehicle has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Land Transport Act 1998

Vehicle: this definition was amended, as from 1 March 1999, by section 215(1) Land Transport Act 1998 (1998 No 110) by substituting the words “the Land Transport Act 1998” for the words “the Transport Act 1962”.

Worker means any person who is employed or engaged (whether under a contract of service or a contract for services) to do any work for hire or reward
Working day means any day of the week other than—
- (a) Saturday, Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Labour Day, the Sovereign's birthday, and Waitangi Day; and
- (b) A day in the period commencing with the 25th day of December in any year and ending with the 15th day of January in the following year:
Works—
- (a) Means any fittings that are used, or designed or intended for use, in or in connection with the generation, conversion, transformation, or conveyance of electricity; but
- (b) Does not include—
  - (i) Any fittings that are used, or designed or intended for use, by any person, in or in connection with the generation of electricity for that person's use and not for supply to any other person; or
  - (ii) Any part of any electrical installation.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (c) of the definition of the term supervisor of electrical work in subsection (1) of this section, the following persons shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, not to be supervisors of electrical work in relation to any wiring installation work:
- (a) Any person who is deemed, by virtue of section 107(2) of this Act, to be registered as an electrician:
- (b) Any person who, by virtue of that person's registration as an electrical mechanic under the Electrical Registration Act 1979, is granted registration as an electrician pursuant to section 106(1) of this Act.
(3) In this Act, point of supply, in relation to a property, means the point or points on the boundary of the property at which exclusive fittings enter that property, except that,—
- (a) If there are both high voltage lines and a transformer owned by the electricity distributor on the property, the point of supply is the point at which electricity from the transformer enters exclusive fittings; or
- (b) If there are non-exclusive fittings on the property, the point of supply is the point at which those fittings become exclusive fittings; or
- (c) If the exclusive fittings on the property are owned by a consumer that is a tenant or licensee of the owner or occupier of the property, the point of supply is the point at which those exclusive fittings enter the area leased or licensed by the consumer; or
- (d) If there is specific agreement that any other point on the property is the point of supply, the point of supply is the agreed point;—
and, in this definition,—

Exclusive fittings means fittings used or intended to be used for the purpose of supplying electricity exclusively to that property

High voltage lines means lines conveying electricity at a voltage of 1000 volts or more
Property—
- (a) means the land within the boundary where the electricity is consumed:
- (b) includes the whole of the property, if the property is occupied wholly or partially by tenants or licensees of the owner or occupier:
- (c) includes the whole of any property that has been subdivided under the Unit Titles Act 1972
Specific agreement may be an agreement—
- (a) entered into by—
  - (i) the existing consumer; or
  - (ii) any person with a greater interest in the property than the consumer (such as the consumer's landlord); or
  - (iii) any body corporate under the Unit Titles Act 1972 or the registered proprietor of the land to which the unit plan relates; and
- (b) entered into by the electricity distributor or the electricity retailer; and
- (c) entered into before or after the date on which this provision comes into force.
(4) The new definition of point of supply in subsection (3)—
- (a) applies on and after the date on which the Electricity Amendment Act 2001 receives the Royal assent if—
  - (i) an agreement exists between the electricity distributor and the consumer that the point of supply is already located at the point provided for in the new definition; and
  - (ii) the consumer has not challenged the existence of that agreement before that date; and
- (b) is, in other cases, subject to the transitional provision in subsection (5).
(5) The new definition of point of supply in subsection (3) does not apply in any other particular case until the electricity distributor has—
- (a) brought the fittings for which the consumer will become responsible as a result of the new definition to a reasonable standard of maintenance or repair, if those fittings are not at a reasonable standard at the time when this provision comes into force; and
- (b) notified the consumer in writing—
  - (i) that the point of supply is as defined in accordance with the new definition; and
  - (ii) the location of that point of supply; and
  - (iii) the effect of the change to the point of supply; and
  - (iv) that the point of supply may not take effect under this Act unless any fittings for which the consumer will become responsible have been brought to a reasonable standard of maintenance and repair; and
  - (v) the date on which the point of supply will change (which must be no less than 20 working days after the date of the notification).
Section 2(1) consumer paragraph (b): amended, on 14 October 2008, by section 29(2)(a) of the Commerce Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 70).

Section 2(1) consumer paragraph (b): amended, on 14 October 2008, by section 29(2)(b) of the Commerce Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 70).

Section 2(1) road: amended, on 1 August 2008, by section 50(1) of the Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 47).

Road: this definition was amended, as from 28 July 1997, by section 2(2) Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42) by inserting the words “and also includes a public footpath;”.

Road: paragraph (a) of this definition was substituted, as from 28 July 1997, by section 2(3) Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42).

Section 2(1) road paragraph (b): amended, on 1 August 2008, by section 50(1) of the Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 47).

Road: in paragraph (c) of this definition the references to sections 315 to 327 of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 and section 320 have been substituted for the references to Part 27 of the Maori Affairs Act 1953 and section 421.

Subsection (3) was repealed, as from 28 September 1993, by section 2(1) Electricity Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 143).

Subsections (3) to (5) were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 7(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

3 Act to bind the Crown

This Act binds the Crown.

Part 2
General

Electricity operators

4 Declaration of electricity distributors as electricity operators

(1) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare a person to be an electricity operator for the purposes of this Act or any provision or provisions of this Act if the Minister is satisfied that a declaration is necessary to enable the person to commence or carry on a business as an electricity distributor.

(2) The Minister must, as soon as reasonably practicable, by notice in the Gazette, declare that a person ceases to be an electricity operator on a date stated in the notice if the Minister is satisfied that the person has ceased to carry on a business as an electricity distributor.

Sections 4 and 4A were substituted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 8 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

4A Declaration of electricity generators as electricity operators

(1) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare an electricity generator to be an electricity operator for the purposes of this Act, or any provision or provisions of this Act, if the Minister is satisfied—
- (a) that the declaration is necessary to enable the person to commence or carry on an activity as an electricity generator; and
- (b) that the business interests in respect of which the declaration is made are confined to any or all of the works necessary to convey the electricity generated to an electricity installation owned by an electricity generator, electricity distributor, or a consumer.
(2) The Minister must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, by notice in the Gazette, declare that a person ceases to be an electricity operator on a date stated in the notice if the Minister is satisfied that the person is no longer carrying out any of the activities referred to in subsection (1).

(3) [Repealed]

Section 4A was inserted, as from 9 July 1998, by section 101 Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (1998 No 88).

Sections 4 and 4A were substituted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 8 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Section 4A heading: substituted, on 14 October 2008, by section 30(2) of the Electricity Industry Reform Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 71).

Section 4A(1): substituted, on 14 October 2008, by section 30(3) of the Electricity Industry Reform Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 71).

Section 4A(2): substituted, on 14 October 2008, by section 30(4) of the Electricity Industry Reform Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 71).

Section 4A(3): repealed, on 14 October 2008, by section 30(4) of the Electricity Industry Reform Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 71).

Functions and powers of Secretary

5 Functions of Secretary

The functions of the Secretary or Secretaries under this Act are—
- (a) To carry out such enquiries, tests, audits, or investigations as may be necessary to determine whether or not a person is complying with this Act:
- (b) To take all such lawful steps as may be necessary to ensure the safe supply and use of electricity:
- (c) To perform such other functions as are provided for under this Act.
Compare: 1982 No 27 s 5

Section 5 was amended, as from 5 December 2006, by section 7 Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70) by inserting the words “or Secretaries” after the words “the Secretary”. See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

6 Inspection of works, etc

(1) For the purposes of performing any of the Secretary's functions under this Act, the Secretary may at any reasonable time inspect the whole or any part of any works, electrical installation, electrical appliance, or associated equipment.

(2) For the purposes of carrying out an inspection under this section, the Secretary may enter and re-enter any place.

(3) Before carrying out any inspection under this section, the Secretary shall give to the person who has control of the works, installation, electrical appliance, or associated equipment, and to the occupier of the land affected, reasonable notice of the Secretary's intention to carry out the inspection.
(4) Where the Secretary has entered any place under subsection (2) of this section, he or she may—
- (a) Inspect any fittings or associated equipment:
- (b) By notice in writing require any person whom the Secretary reasonably believes to be for the time being in charge of the place, or of any fittings or associated equipment in the place, to take any specified action in respect of that place, those fittings, or that equipment that the Secretary reasonably believes is necessary to render that place, those fittings, or that equipment safe:
- (c) Require any person who has control of the works, electrical installation, electrical appliance, or associated equipment to produce any document required by this Act or any regulations made under section 169 or section 170 of this Act to be kept by that person, and may examine and make copies of, or take extracts from, any such document.
(5) This section shall apply notwithstanding anything to the contrary in section 52 of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 8

Section 6(5): amended, on 1 August 2008, by section 50(1) of the Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 47).

7 Report to be compiled on inspection

Where any inspection is carried out under section 6 of this Act, the person who carries out the inspection shall—
- (a) Compile a written report of the results of the inspection; and
- (b) Give a copy of the report to—
  - (i) The person whom the person reasonably believed to be in charge of the place in which the inspection was carried out; and
  - (ii) The owner or occupier of that place (where that person is not the person referred to in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph); and
  - (iii) The person who has control of the works, electrical installation, electrical appliance, or associated equipment concerned (where that person is not the person referred to in subparagraph (i) or subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph).
Compare: 1982 No 27 s 9

8 Special powers of Secretary

(1) The Secretary may at any time, by notice in writing, require any person who has control of any works, electrical installation, or electrical appliance to take apart or dismantle any fittings to facilitate or assist an inspection for the purposes of this Act.
(2) Where the Secretary believes on reasonable grounds in respect of any place—
- (a) That there is a danger or potential danger to the safety of any person or property arising directly or indirectly from any fittings or electrical appliance or electrical installation; or
- (b) That, because of anything done or omitted to be done, or intended to be done or not to be done, by any person, in relation to any fittings or electrical appliance or electrical installation, there would be a danger or potential danger of injury to any person or of damage to any property,—
the Secretary may do all such things, and require any person to refrain from doing all such things, as the Secretary considers necessary to remove or minimise the danger or potential danger.
(2A)

(2B)

(3) This section shall apply notwithstanding anything to the contrary in section 52 of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 10

Section 8(3): amended, on 1 August 2008, by section 50(1) of the Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 47).

9 Objections to Secretary's requirements

(1) Every person who is affected by any notice given under section 6(4)(b) or section 8(1) of this Act, or any requirement made under section 8(2) of this Act, may, within 15 working days after receiving the notice or being made subject to the requirement, object to that notice or requirement.

(2) Every objection under subsection (1) of this section shall be made by lodging a written notice of objection with the Registrar of the District Court nearest to the place where the notice was given or the requirement made, or, with the consent of the Secretary, with the Registrar of any other District Court.

(3) Every notice of objection shall specify the grounds of the objection.

(4) The objector shall cause a copy of the notice of objection to be served on the Secretary, either before or immediately after it is lodged with the Registrar.

(5) The Registrar of the Court shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of the objection to the objector and the Secretary.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 11(2) to (4)

10 Effect of notice or requirement pending hearing

Subject to section 13 of this Act, where a notice of objection is lodged under section 9 of this Act, the notice or requirement to which the notice of objection relates shall be suspended until an order is made by a District Court under section 11(2) of this Act, or until the withdrawal of the objection or the withdrawal of the notice or requirement, whichever occurs first.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 11(7)

11 Procedure on hearing of objection

(1) On the hearing of an objection under section 9 of this Act, both the objector and the Secretary, either personally or by their counsel, shall be entitled to be present and be heard.

(2) On hearing the objection, the Court may by order confirm, reverse, or modify the notice or requirement.

(3) Subject to section 12 of this Act, every order made under subsection (2) of this section shall be final.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 11(5), (6)

12 Appeal on question of law

(1) Where any party to an objection under section 9 of this Act is dissatisfied with the decision of a District Court on that objection as being erroneous in point of law, that party may appeal to the High Court by way of case stated for the opinion of that Court on the question of law only.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, every appeal under this section shall be heard and determined in accordance with rules of Court.

(3) The provisions of Part 4 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957 (including the other provisions of that Act that are applied in that Part), so far as they relate to appeals by way of case stated on questions of law only, shall apply, so far as they are applicable and with all necessary modifications, to every appeal under this section.

(4) Subject to section 13 of this Act, where a notice of appeal is filed pursuant to this section, the notice or requirement to which the notice of appeal relates shall be suspended until the appeal has been determined, or until a District Court Judge certifies that the appeal has not been prosecuted, or the Registrar of the High Court has certified that the appeal has been dismissed for non-prosecution, whichever occurs first.

13 Secretary may require immediate compliance

(1) Notwithstanding sections 10 and 12(4) of this Act, where a notice of objection is lodged under section 9 of this Act by any person in respect of any notice or requirement, the Secretary may advise the objector that the Secretary considers the situation to be one involving immediate danger to life or property, and on being so advised the objector shall immediately take active steps to comply with that notice or requirement.

(2) Every person commits an offence who fails to comply immediately with any notice or requirement to which subsection (1) of this section applies, and every such person shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part of a day that such failure continues.

(3) Without limiting the liability of any person to be convicted of an offence against subsection (2) of this section, both the High Court and any District Court shall each have jurisdiction to restrain any contravention or threatened contravention of subsection (1) of this section by injunction on the application of the Secretary, and to make such order in the matter as to costs and otherwise as it thinks fit.

(4) No person shall be precluded by any contract or agreement from doing or refraining from doing any such acts as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of this section, or be liable under any contract or agreement to any penalty or forfeiture for doing or refraining from doing any such act.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 11(8) to (11)

14 Appeal against decision on application for injunction

(1) A party to proceedings in a District Court on an application under section 13(3) may appeal to the High Court against any decision of the District Court.

(1A) The High Court Rules and sections 74 to 78 of the District Courts Act 1947, with all necessary modifications, apply to an appeal under subsection (1) as if it were an appeal under section 72 of that Act.

(2) On the ex parte application of the appellant, the District Court may order that the appellant must not be required under section 74(1) of the District Courts Act 1947 to give the Registrar of the High Court security for costs.

(2A) Subsection (2) overrides subsection (1A).

(3) A party to any appeal under subsection (1) of this section may, with the leave of the Court of Appeal, appeal to the Court of Appeal against any determination of the High Court on a question of law arising in an appeal under that subsection.

(4) On an appeal to the Court of Appeal under this section, the Court of Appeal shall have the same power to adjudicate on the proceeding as the High Court had.

(5) The decision of the Court of Appeal on an appeal to that Court under this section, and on an application to it under this section for leave to appeal, shall be final.

(6) Subject to subsections (3) to (5) of this section, the decision of the High Court on an appeal to that Court under this section shall be final.

Subsection (1) was substituted, as from 24 November 2003, by section 4 District Courts Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 63). See section 5 of that Act for the transitional provision relating to appeals. See clause 2 District Courts Amendment Act Commencement Order 2003 (SR 2003/281).

Subsection (1A) was inserted, as from 24 November 2003, by section 4 District Courts Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 63). See section 5 of that Act for the transitional provision relating to appeals. See clause 2 District Courts Amendment Act Commencement Order 2003 (SR 2003/281).

Subsection (2) was substituted, as from 24 November 2003, by section 4 District Courts Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 63). See section 5 of that Act for the transitional provision relating to appeals. See clause 2 District Courts Amendment Act Commencement Order 2003 (SR 2003/281).

Subsection (2A) was inserted, as from 24 November 2003, by section 4 District Courts Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 63). See section 5 of that Act for the transitional provision relating to appeals. See clause 2 District Courts Amendment Act Commencement Order 2003 (SR 2003/281).

15 Assessors

(1) Where any objection has been lodged under section 9 of this Act, the Secretary or the objector may ask for the objection to be heard with the assistance of 2 assessors, one to be appointed by the Secretary and the other by the objector.

(2) No person shall be appointed to act as an assessor unless he or she has special skill or knowledge relevant to the particular matter to be considered by the Court.

(3) There shall be paid, out of public money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose, to any assessors appointed under this section remuneration by way of fees, salary, or allowances, and travelling allowances and expenses, in accordance with the Fees and Travelling Allowances Act 1951; and the provisions of that Act shall apply accordingly as if the assessors were members of a statutory Board within the meaning of that Act.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 12; 1989 No 44 s 86(1)

16 Notification of accidents

(1) This section applies to every accident that—
- (a) is caused wholly or partly by, or involves or affects, electricity, or involves or affects the generation, conversion, transformation, conveyance, or use of electricity; and
- (b) results in—
  - (i) serious harm to any person; or
  - (ii) damage to any place or part of a place that renders that place or that part of that place unusable for any purpose for which it was used or designed to be used before that accident.
(2) [Repealed]

(3) Where any accident to which this section applies occurs in any place, the appropriate person shall notify the Secretary of the particulars of the accident forthwith on becoming aware of the accident.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) of this section, the appropriate person is as follows:
- (a) In the case of an accident involving or affecting any works or electrical installation, the person who has control of those works or that installation:
- (b) Where the accident is discovered by any person—
  - (i) Who is authorised under section 108 of this Act to do prescribed electrical work; or
  - (ii) Who is working under an employer licence,—
that person:
- (c) In all other cases, the occupier of the place where the accident occurred.
(5) Every notice under this section shall be in the prescribed form (if any) and shall contain such particulars as are prescribed (if any).
(6) Notification of an accident in accordance with either or both of the following provisions is compliance with subsection (3):
- (a) section 17(3) of the Gas Act 1992:
- (b) section 25(3) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
Compare: 1982 No 27 s 14(1) to (3)

The heading to section 16 was amended, as from 5 December 2006, by section 9(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70) by omitting the words “and investigation”. See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

Subsection (1) was substituted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 9(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

Subsection (2)(b)(ii) was substituted, as from 18 September 2004, by section 175(1) Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (2003 No 48). See sections 178 to 227 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

Subsection (2) was repealed, as from 5 December 2006, by section 9(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

Subsection (6) was inserted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 9(4) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

16A Transfer of accident information

(1) The Secretary must, as soon as practicable after he or she is notified of an accident under section 16, provide the notice or information that has been given to the Secretary to—
- (a) the person who must be notified of the particulars of an accident under section 17(3) of the Gas Act 1992 if the Secretary is of the opinion that section 17 of that Act applies to the accident; and
- (b) the person who must be notified of the occurrence of an accident under section 25(3) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 if the Secretary is of the opinion that section 25 of that Act applies to the accident.
(2) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply if the Secretary and the person who must be notified of the particulars of an accident under section 17(3) of the Gas Act 1992 are the same person.

Section 16A was inserted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 10 Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

17 Interference with scene of accident

(1) No person shall interfere in any way with the scene of any accident to which section 16 of this Act applies without the permission of the Secretary, or if the Secretary is not present, a member of the Police or a member of a fire brigade, except to the extent that the person believes is necessary to avoid or minimise further injury or damage or to restore the safe supply of electricity.

(2) Where any person does interfere in any way with the scene of any accident to which section 16 of this Act applies, the person shall as soon as practicable notify the Secretary of the action the person has taken.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section applies in respect of any person who is investigating the accident pursuant to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 14(4), (5)

18 Inquiries into accidents

(1) The Secretary may conduct an inquiry into any accident to which section 16 of this Act applies to establish the cause of the accident.

(2) Where the Secretary believes, on reasonable grounds, that any occurrence may be an accident to which section 16 of this Act applies, the Secretary may conduct a preliminary inquiry in order to establish whether or not the occurrence is such an accident.

(3) Subject to section 21 of this Act, the Secretary may, for the purpose of any inquiry or preliminary inquiry under this section, require any person to supply to the Secretary all such information as that person may have of relevance to the inquiry or preliminary inquiry.

(4) Where the Secretary conducts an inquiry under this section, the Secretary shall prepare a written report of the findings of the inquiry, and shall make copies of that report available on request to interested parties.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 14(6), (7)

19 Assistance to Secretary

Where the Secretary is performing any duty or exercising any power in respect of any place, or any fittings or associated equipment in any place, the owner or occupier of the place, and any other person who is for the time being in charge of the place, shall provide all such facilities and assistance as the Secretary may reasonably require.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 15

20 Obstructing Secretary

Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who—
- (a) Intentionally obstructs the Secretary when the Secretary is lawfully carrying out duties under this Act:
- (b) Refuses or fails without reasonable excuse—
  - (i) To produce any document when required to do so by the Secretary for the purposes of this Act; or
  - (ii) To allow the Secretary to examine or make copies of or take extracts from any such document; or
  - (iii) To supply any information required of the person by the Secretary under this Act; or
  - (iv) To comply with any other lawful order or requisition given or made by the Secretary:
- (c) Intentionally damages or interferes with any property used by, or supplied for the use or in the possession of, the Secretary for the purposes of this Act:
- (d) Fails without reasonable excuse to report any accident to which section 16 of this Act applies when required to do so by subsection (3) of that section, or interferes in any way with the scene of any such accident otherwise than in accordance with section 17(1) of this Act, or, having interfered in any such scene in accordance with section 17(1) of this Act, fails without reasonable excuse to notify the Secretary of the steps he or she has taken as required by section 17(2) of this Act.
Compare: 1982 No 27 s 16

21 Privilege against self-incrimination

No person shall be required, pursuant to any provision of this Part of this Act, to reply to any question if the answer might tend to incriminate him or her.

Part 3
Powers and duties of electricity operators and other owners of electrical works

22 Protection of existing works

Any existing works, lawfully fixed to or lawfully installed over or under any land that is not owned by the person that owns the works, shall continue to be fixed or installed until the owner of the works otherwise decides, and no person other than the owner of the works shall have any interest in any such works by reason only of having an interest in the land.

Compare: 1987 No 116 s 20; 1988 No 164 s 17

22A Owners of land not responsible for maintenance

(1) An owner or occupier of land on which any existing works are situated is not required by this Act to maintain existing works, or to maintain tracks for the purpose of providing the owner of the works with access to the existing works.

(2) This section does not limit or override any new or existing legally binding agreement that provides for an owner or occupier of the land to be responsible for any maintenance.

Sections 22A was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 9 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

23 Rights of entry in respect of existing works

(1) Any person that owns any existing works may enter upon land for the purpose of gaining access to those works and may perform any act or operation necessary for the purpose of—
- (a) Inspecting, maintaining, or operating the works:
- (b) In the case of works the construction of which had not been completed before the 1st day of January 1988 (in the case of works owned by the Corporation) or before the 1st day of January 1993 (in the case of works owned by any other electricity operator), completing the works.
(2) A certificate signed by the owner of any existing works containing a statement that any specified works were constructed (in whole or in part) before the 1st day of January 1988 (in relation to works owned by the Corporation) or before the 1st day of January 1993 (in the case of works owned by any other person) under the authority of the Electricity Act 1968 (or any Act repealed by that Act) or the Electric Power Boards Act 1925 or the Local Government Act 1974 or the Public Works Act 1981 or any local or private Act shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings and shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, constitute proof of that statement.
(3) In this section, maintenance includes—
- (a) any repairs and any other activities for the purpose of maintaining, or that have the effect of maintaining, existing works; and
- (b) the carrying out of any replacement or upgrade of existing works as long as the land will not be injuriously affected as a result of the replacement or upgrade.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 12; 1988 No 164 s 14

Subsection (3) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 10(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 10(2) of that Act which states that this amendment does not have the effect of making an activity a permitted use under a district plan or regional plan under the Resource Management Act 1991 if it would not have been a permitted use is subsection (3) had not been added. See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

23A Line owner must give written notice of intention to maintain or complete existing works

(1) An owner of existing works that intends to enter upon land for the purpose of maintaining or completing the works under section 23 must give reasonable notice (at least 10 working days before entry) of its intention to do so to the owner or occupier of the land.
(2) The notice must be in writing, and must specify—
- (a) the location of the proposed entry and work; and
- (b) the reasons for the entry and work and the nature of the work to be undertaken; and
- (c) the date and time of entry; and
- (d) the length of time that the owner of the works expects to be on the land.
Sections 23A to 23E were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 11(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

23B Line owner must give notice of intention to inspect or operate existing works

(1) An owner of existing works that intends to enter upon land for the purpose of inspecting or operating the works under section 23 must give reasonable notice of its intention to do so to the owner or occupier of the land.

(2) The notice may be given by telephone or in any other manner that the owner of the works thinks appropriate.

Sections 23A to 23E were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 11(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

23C Notice in emergencies

(1) An owner of existing works is excused from giving notice as required by section 23A or section 23B if—
- (a) entry upon the land is necessary in circumstances of probable danger to life or property; or
- (b) entry upon the land is immediately necessary to maintain the continuity or safety of the supply and distribution of electricity.
(2) However, in either case, the owner of the existing works must give notice to the owner or occupier of the land as soon as practicable and to the extent that the circumstances permit (and no later than 5 working days after entry).

Sections 23A to 23E were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 11(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

23D Land owner may set reasonable conditions on line owner's entry

The owner or occupier of the land may set reasonable conditions relating to the timing of entry under section 23 and the access route, but those conditions may not—
- (a) delay the entry by more than 15 working days; or
- (b) require monetary or other consideration; or
- (c) otherwise defeat the ability of the owner of the works to exercise effectively the powers in section 23.
Sections 23A to 23E were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 11(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

23E Agreements preserved

Sections 23A to 23D do not limit or override any new or existing agreement that is legally binding on the owner or occupier of the land and the owner of the works.

Sections 23A to 23E were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 11(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

23F Disputes about land access

(1) The owner or occupier of land, or the owner of the works, may refer any dispute under sections 23 to 23E to the Environment Court.

(2) The objector must, as soon as practicable after making a written objection, serve a copy of the objection on the other party to the dispute.

(3) Within 1 month after receiving a copy of the objection or within any further period that the Environment Court allows, the other party to the dispute must send to the Environment Court and serve on the objector a reply to the objection containing matters that are appropriate having regard to the objection made and to any practice directions issued by the Environment Court.

(4) The Environment Court must inquire into the objection and, for that purpose, may conduct a hearing at any time and place it appoints.

(5) The Environment Court must give not less than 15 working days' notice of any time and place so appointed to the objector and to the other party to the dispute.

(6) The Environment Court has power to make a declaration as if the proceeding had been brought under sections 310 to 313 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

(7) The findings of the Environment Court are binding on the objector and the other party to the dispute.

(8) The Environment Court may award those costs that it considers just either in favour of or against either party.

(9) Subject to sections 299 to 308 of the Resource Management Act 1991, no appeal lies from any declaration of the Environment Court under this section.

Compare: 1981 No 35 s 24

Section 23F was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 12 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

24 Construction or maintenance of works on roads

(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (5) of this section, an electricity operator may from time to time construct and maintain works in, on, along, over, across, or under any road, and for any of these purposes may—
- (a) Open or break up any road:
- (b) Alter the position of—
  - (i) Any pipe (not being a main) for the supply of water or gas; or
  - (ii) Any telecommunications line; or
  - (iii) Any works—
  that are constructed in, on, along, over, across, or under that road:
- (c) Alter, repair, or remove any works so constructed or maintained, or any part of any such works.
(2) No electricity operator shall exercise the powers contained in subsection (1) of this section otherwise than in accordance with such reasonable conditions as may be prescribed by—
- (a) The local authority or other body or person having jurisdiction over the road; and
- (b) The owner of the pipe, telecommunications line, or works, as the case may require.
(3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2) of this section, a local authority or other body or person having jurisdiction over a road may impose under that subsection, in relation to any work undertaken by any electricity operator, a condition requiring the electricity operator to meet the reasonable costs and expenses of that local authority or other body or person—
- (a) In processing any notice given under section 25(1) of this Act by the electricity operator in relation to the work:
- (b) In supervising the carrying out of the work, where such supervision is necessary in the circumstances of the case.
(4) To avoid doubt, subsection (1) does not prevent the construction or maintenance of works that are undertaken under an agreement entered into by—
- (a) the electricity operator; and
- (b) the local authority or other body with jurisdiction over the road to which the works relate; and
- (c) any owner referred to in section 25(1)(b).
(5) Subsection (1) does not apply to the construction of works that are intended to convey, or are associated with, electricity at a voltage of more than 110 KV and a capacity of more than 100 MVA.

(6) In subsection (5), works means works located at or above ground level in, on, along, over, or across a road, but does not include works suspended above a road.

Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15; 1988 No 164 s 16

Subsection (1) was amended, as from 9 August 2005, by section 3(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 88) by substituting the words “subsections (2) and (5)” for the expression “subsection (2)”.

Subsection (4) was substituted, as from 9 August 2005, by section 3(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 88).

Subsections (5) and (6) were inserted, as from 9 August 2005, by section 3(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 88).

25 Notice to be given before work undertaken

(1) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, before an electricity operator proceeds to undertake any work pursuant to the powers contained in section 24(1) of this Act, the electricity operator shall give notice of its intention to undertake the work to—
- (a) The local authority or other body or person having jurisdiction over the road to which the work relates; and
- (b) The owner of any pipe, telecommunications line, or works that are constructed in, on, along, over, across, or under that road and that will be affected, or are likely to be affected, by the work.
(2) Every such notice shall be in writing, and shall specify the location of the proposed work, the nature of the work to be undertaken, and the reasons for it.

(3) Within 15 working days after the receipt of the written notice of the intention to undertake work, the persons who are given a notice pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall notify the electricity operator, in writing, of any conditions imposed pursuant to section 24(2) of this Act.

(4) Where a person who is given a notice pursuant to subsection (1) of this section fails to notify the electricity operator of the conditions imposed pursuant to section 24(2) of this Act within the period referred to in subsection (3) of this section, no such conditions may be imposed, and the electricity operator may commence work.

(5) Where any such work is rendered urgent and necessary by any defective equipment, or other emergency, the electricity operator shall be excused from complying with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section before commencing the work, but shall give the information required by subsection (2) of this section as soon as practicable thereafter.

Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15A; 1988 No 164 s 16

26 Offence

(1) Every electricity operator commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who fails to comply with section 24 or section 25 of this Act.

(2) In addition to any fine imposed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the Court may make such order relating to compensation as it thinks fit.

Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15B; 1988 No 164 s 16

27 Appeals in relation to conditions imposed

(1) An electricity operator shall have a right of appeal to a District Court against all or any of the conditions imposed pursuant to section 24(2) of this Act by—
- (a) The local authority or other body or person having jurisdiction over the road; or
- (b) The owner of any pipe, telecommunications line, or works.
(2) Every such appeal shall be made by giving notice of appeal within 40 working days after the date of notification of the conditions imposed, or within such further period as the Court may allow on application made to it for that purpose either before or after the expiration of those 40 working days.

Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15C; 1988 No 164 s 16

28 Determination of appeals

(1) In its determination of any appeal under section 27 of this Act, a District Court may confirm or modify or cancel any or all of the conditions imposed.

(2) Subject to section 29 of this Act, the decision of a District Court in the determination of an appeal under section 27 of this Act shall be final.

Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15D; 1988 No 164 s 16

29 Appeal on question of law

(1) Where any party to any appeal under section 27 of this Act is dissatisfied with the decision of the District Court as being erroneous in point of law, that party may appeal to the High Court by way of case stated for the opinion of that Court on the question of law only.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, every appeal under this section shall be heard and determined in accordance with rules of Court.

(3) The provisions of Part 4 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957 (including the other provisions of that Act that are applied in that Part), so far as they relate to appeals by way of case stated on questions of law only, shall apply, so far as they are applicable and with all necessary modifications, to every appeal under this section.

30 Charging for access to road reserve

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or in any other enactment, no local authority or other body or person having jurisdiction over any road shall require the payment, by or on behalf of any electricity operator, of any amount of or in the nature of rent in respect of any works constructed in, on, along, over, across, or under that road.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) applies in respect of a rate assessed under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

(3) In this section, the term road has the meaning given to it in section 2 of this Act, but also includes a motorway within the meaning of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989.

Subsection (2) was substituted, as from 1 July 2003, by section 137(1) Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 (2002 No 6).

Section 30(3): amended, on 1 August 2008, by section 50(1) of the Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 47).

31 Rights of entry in respect of level crossings

(1) Where—
- (a) An electricity operator wishes to enter upon any level crossing for the purpose of constructing or maintaining any works in, on, along, over, across, or under that level crossing; and
- (b) After taking all reasonable steps to do so, the electricity operator has been unable to negotiate an agreement for entry,—
the electricity operator may, upon giving the owner and occupier of the level crossing not less than 10 working days' notice of its intention to do so, apply to a District Court for an order under this section.
(2) On being satisfied that the construction or maintenance of any works is necessary for the purposes of distributing electricity, and that the electricity operator has taken all reasonable steps to negotiate an agreement for entry, and that, in relation to the construction of any works, no practical alternative route or site exists, the Court may make an order authorising the electricity operator to—
- (a) Enter and re-enter the level crossing at reasonable times, with or without such assistants, aircraft, boats, vehicles, appliances, machinery, and equipment as are reasonably necessary for the construction or maintenance of any works:
- (b) Perform such work as may be reasonably necessary to construct or maintain any works.
(3) Every order under this section shall specify—
- (a) How and when entry is to be made; and
- (b) The specific powers intended to be exercised; and
- (c) Such other conditions (including conditions relating to the payment of compensation) as the Court thinks fit to impose.
(4) Before exercising any powers authorised by an order made under this section, the electricity operator shall serve the order on the owner and occupier of the level crossing to which the order relates.

(5) Every officer, employee, or agent of an electricity operator acting in pursuance of an order made under this section shall have with him or her and shall produce on initial entry and, if requested, at any subsequent time, evidence of his or her authority and identity.

(6) This section does not apply to the construction or maintenance of works that are intended to convey, or are associated with, electricity at a voltage of more than 110 KV and a capacity of more than 100 MVA.

(7) In subsection (6), works means works located at or above ground level in, on, along, over, or across a level crossing, but does not include works suspended above a level crossing.

Compare: 1987 No 116 s 11; 1988 No 164 s 13

Subsection (6) was substituted, as from 9 August 2005, by section 4 Electricity Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 88).

Subsection (7) was inserted, as from 9 August 2005, by section 4 Electricity Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 88).

32 Local authority, etc, may require works to be moved

(1) Where any works (being works to which section 22 of this Act applies or works constructed pursuant to section 24 of this Act) are fixed to or installed over or under any road, the local authority or other body or person having jurisdiction over that road may at any time, by notice in writing, require the owner of the works to raise, lower, or otherwise alter the position of those works.

(2) If the owner of the works refuses or fails within a reasonable time to do the work required under subsection (1) of this section, the person requiring the work to be done may, after giving the owner of the works written notice of that person's intention to do so, do the work or have the work done by some other person.

(3) The notice required by subsection (2) of this section shall be given at least 15 working days before the work commences.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 48(1), (4)

33 Cost of work required under section 32

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the reasonable cost of all work required to be done under section 32(1) of this Act shall be paid by the person that requires the work to be done.
(2) Where any work is required to be done under section 32(1) of this Act by reason that the works to which the work relates—
- (a) Were constructed contrary to any provision of—
  - (i) This Act or any regulations made under section 169 of this Act; or
  - (ii) The Electricity Act 1968 (or any enactment repealed by that Act); or
  - (iii) The Electric Power Boards Act 1925; or
  - (iv) the Local Government Act 1974 or the Local Government Act 2002; or
  - (v) The Public Works Act 1981; or
  - (vi) Any local or private Act; or
  - (vii) Any regulations made under any enactment, or under any enactment of any of the classes of enactment, referred to in any of subparagraphs (ii) to (vi) of this paragraph; or
- (b) Are in a dangerous or unsafe condition,—
the cost of the work shall be paid by the owner of the works.
(3) Where any person requires any work to be done under section 32(1) of this Act, no claim by or against that person for betterment shall be allowed in respect of that work.
(4) Where a controlling authority within the meaning of section 54(1) of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989 requires any work to be done under section 32(1) of this Act in relation to any works, subsections (1) to (3) of this section shall apply subject to the following provisions:
- (a) In all cases the cost of all fittings that are used in the carrying out of the required work (other than fittings used only during the course of construction) shall be paid by the owner of the works:
- (b) Where—
  - (i) As a consequence of the requirement, the owner of the works elects to fix works to, or install works over, under, or through, a roading structure that is being, or is to be, constructed or altered; and
  - (ii) The cost of that construction or those alterations is increased by reason that those works will be fixed to, or installed over, under, or through, that roading structure,—
  an amount equal to the amount by which the cost, to the controlling authority, of that construction or those alterations, as the case requires, is so increased shall be paid to the controlling authority by the owner of the works:
- (c) Where, as a consequence of the requirement, the owner of the works relocates the works and reconstructs them to specifications different from those of the original works, the owner of the works shall pay the difference between—
  - (i) What it would have cost to relocate and reconstruct the works as near as reasonably practicable to their original specifications (excluding any costs to which paragraph (a) of this subsection would have applied), taking into account—
    - (A) Any restrictions or conditions imposed by or under any enactment in relation to the relocation and reconstruction; and
    - (B) The location of the original works and the alternatives reasonably available to the owner of the works; and
  - (ii) The actual cost of the relocation and reconstruction (excluding any costs to which paragraph (a) of this subsection applies),—
  where the amount calculated in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is less than the amount calculated in accordance with subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.
(5) Subsections (1) to (4) of this section shall apply subject to any agreement between the person requiring the work to be done and the owner of the works to which that requirement relates.
(6) The amount of any payment that is required to be made under this section shall be determined in each case—
- (a) By agreement between the person liable for the payment and the person to whom it is payable; or
- (b) Failing such agreement, by arbitration under the Arbitration Act 1908, with 1 arbitrator to be appointed by each party and an umpire to be appointed by those arbitrators before entering upon their reference.
Compare: 1982 No 27 s 48(3), (5)

Subsection 33(2)(a)(iv) was substituted, as from 25 December 2002, by section 52 Local Electoral Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 85).

Section 33(4): amended, on 1 August 2008, by section 50(1) of the Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 47).

34 Government Roading Powers Act 1989 not to apply

Sections 32 and 33 of this Act shall apply notwithstanding anything to the contrary in section 54 of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989.

Section 34 heading: amended, on 1 August 2008, by section 50(1) of the Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 47).

Section 34: amended, on 1 August 2008, by section 50(1) of the Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 47).

35 Owners and occupiers of private land may move works

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the owner or occupier of any private land or buildings into, through, over, or against which any works to which section 22 of this Act applies have been constructed may, at that person's own expense, on giving written notice to the person that owns the works, move those works and reconstruct or replace them, subject to the work being lawfully carried out and to such reasonable conditions as the owner of the works may reasonably impose.

(2) No works may be moved, reconstructed, or replaced under subsection (1) of this section without the consent of the person that owns the works, but that consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(3) The notice required by subsection (1) of this section shall be given at least 15 working days before the work to move the works commences.

Compare: 1982 No 27 s 49

Part 4
Electrical codes of practice

36 Issue of electrical code of practice

(1) The Secretary may from time to time issue any instrument (in this Act referred to as an electrical code of practice) for the purposes of, or relating to,—
- (a) The setting or endorsing of standards or specifications concerning the design, construction, installation, importation, or manufacture of works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances, or associated equipment:
- (b) The setting of standards in respect of electricity that is to be supplied to or used by electricity retailers and consumers:
- (c) The operation or use of works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances, or associated equipment:
- (d) The inspection or maintenance of works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances, or associated equipment:
- (e) The safety of persons or property associated with or using works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances, or associated equipment:
- (f) The setting or endorsing of standards or requirements relating to—
  - (i) The training required for any specified class or classes of workers for the purposes of establishing and maintaining safety standards in relation to the generation, conversion, transformation, conveyance, and use of electricity:
  - (ii) The levels of electrical or technical qualifications necessary for the carrying out of any specified class or classes of electrical work or for the holding of positions of electrical responsibility in any branch of the electrical industry or in any specified undertakings concerned with the particular application of electricity:
- (g) The setting or endorsing of standards, specifications, or requirements relating to or concerning the periodic examination of connectable installations of vehicles, relocatable buildings, and pleasure vessels, or any of them, and the issue of warrants of electrical fitness in respect of such installations:
- (h) The setting or endorsing of standards, controls, or requirements for the whole or any part of any tree or vegetation to prevent the interruption of the supply of electricity or interference with the electrical supply system.
(2) The Secretary may from time to time issue an amendment or revocation of any electrical code of practice.

(3) Every electrical code of practice and every amendment or revocation of an electrical code of practice shall show the date on which it was issued.

Compare: 1968 No 125 ss 24A, 24B(1), (2); 1983 No 123 s 6

37 Code may incorporate official standards by reference

(1) The Secretary may include in any electrical code of practice a reference to—
- (a) An official standard or a specified part of an official standard; or
- (b) An official standard or a specified part of an official standard with such additions or variations as are specified in the code—
if that official standard or, as the case may be, that part of that official standard relates to the subject-matter of the code.
(2) On the inclusion in a code of a reference to an official standard or part of an official standard, that official standard or, as the case may be, that part of that official standard (as it existed on the date of the inclusion but with such additions or variations (if any) as are specified in the code) shall be deemed to form part of the code.

Compare: 1968 No 125 s 24B(3), (4); 1983 No 123 s 6

38 Code to be approved by Minister

(1) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, an electrical code of practice, an amendment to such a code, and a revocation of such a code, shall not have any force or effect until it has been approved by the Minister.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, the Minister shall not approve any code, or any amendment or revocation of a code, unless—
- (a) Not less than 1 month has elapsed since the publication in the Gazette of a notice of the intention of the Secretary to apply for approval; and
- (b) The Minister has consulted such persons as will be affected by the code or amendment or revocation, or representatives of those persons, and they have had the opportunity to consider its possible effects and to comment on those effects to the Minister; and
- (c) The Minister has considered any comments made to the Minister concerning those effects.
(3) The Minister may approve an electrical code of practice or any amendment or revocation of that code without complying with the requirements of subsection (2)(a) or (b) of this section if the Minister is satisfied that sufficient consultation has already taken place in respect of the matters in the code or amendment or revocation.
(4) When the Minister approves an electrical code of practice or an amendment or revocation of that code, the Minister shall—
- (a) Publish a notice of the approval in the Gazette; and
- (b) Show the date of the approval on the code, amendment, or revocation and promulgate it in such manner as the Minister thinks fit.
(5) The fact that the Minister has published in the Gazette a notice under subsection (4)(a) of this section shall be conclusive proof that the requirements of this section have been complied with in respect of the approval specified in the notice.

Compare: 1968 No 125 s 24C; 1983 No 123 s 6

39 Availability of codes

(1) The Secretary shall ensure that copies of all electrical codes of practice, and all amendments to such codes, that are for the time being in force are available—
- (a) For inspection by members of the public free of charge; and
- (b) For purchase by members of the public at a reasonable price.
(2) The notice of approval published in the Gazette pursuant to section 38(4)(a) of this Act shall show, in relation to the code, or the amendment of a code, to which it relates, a place at which copies of the code or, as the case requires, the amendment are available for inspection free of charge and for purchase.

40 Emergency amendment of code

(1) If the Secretary considers it essential in the interests of safety or ensuring the continuity of the supply or conveyance of electricity to amend any electrical code of practice forthwith, the Secretary may issue an emergency amendment to the code and promulgate it in such manner as the Secretary thinks fit.

(2) Every amendment issued under subsection (1) of this section shall be identified as an emergency amendment issued under this section, and show the date on which it was issued.

(3) Every such amendment shall remain in force for a period of 60 days after the date on which it was issued and may be continued in force by the Minister for such further period or periods as the Minister thinks fit, but the maximum period of time during which an emergency amendment may remain in force shall be 180 days.

(4) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, an emergency amendment issued under this section shall for all purposes, while it remains in force, be deemed to have been issued under section 36 of this Act, and to have been approved, on the date of its issue, by the Minister under section 38 of this Act.

(5) If any regulation in force under section 169 of this Act requires compliance with any electrical code of practice that has been amended under this section, that regulation shall, while the emergency amendment remains in force, be deemed to require compliance with the code as so amended notwithstanding the fact that the regulation was made before that amendment to the code came into force.

(6) Notwithstanding anything in section 41 of the State Sector Act 1988, the Secretary shall not delegate to any other person the power conferred on the Secretary by this section.

(7) In this section, the term Secretary means the chief executive of the Ministry, and includes any person who is authorised, pursuant to a direction given pursuant to section 40 of the State Sector Act 1988, to exercise the power conferred on the Secretary by this section.

Compare: 1968 No 125 s 24D; 1983 No 123 s 6

41 Citation of code

In any regulations made under section 169 of this Act, any electrical code of practice or amendment of an electrical code of practice may, without prejudice to any other method of citation, be cited by the title or reference given to it by the Secretary and by its date of issue; and such citation shall be deemed, subject to section 40(5) of this Act, to include and refer to the latest electrical code of practice or amendment in force when the regulations were made.

Compare: 1968 No 125 s 24E; 1983 No 123 s 6

42 Proof of code

(1) Without affecting any other method of proof, the production in any proceedings of a copy of any electrical code of practice or amendment or revocation of an electrical code of practice, purporting to have been issued by the Secretary and to have been approved by the Minister, shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be sufficient evidence that it has been issued under the authority of section 36 of this Act and approved by the Minister, on the date shown on it as the date of approval, under section 38 of this Act.
(2) Without affecting any other method of proof, the production in any proceedings of—
- (a) A copy of an emergency amendment of an electrical code of practice purporting to have been issued by the Secretary shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be sufficient evidence that it has been issued under the authority of section 40 of this Act on the date shown on it as the date of issue:
- (b) A certificate under the hand of the Minister that the Minister has continued such an amendment in force until a date specified in the certificate shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be sufficient evidence that the amendment has been continued in force until that date under section 40(3) of this Act.
(3) In any proceedings for an offence against this Act or against any regulations made under section 169 of this Act,—
- (a) Any requirement or standard prescribed in an electrical code of practice by reference to any official standard (not being a New Zealand Standard) may be proved by the production of a copy of that official standard certified to be correct by the Secretary:
- (b) Judicial notice shall be taken of the signature of the Secretary.
Compare: 1968 No 125 s 24F; 1983 No 123 s 6

43 Codes promulgated under Electricity Act 1968

Every electrical code of practice promulgated under the Electricity Act 1968 that was in force immediately before the 1st day of April 1993 is deemed to be in force under this Part of this Act, and may be amended and revoked accordingly.

Part 5
Rural electrical reticulation

44 Rural Electrical Reticulation Council

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

45 Functions of Council

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

46 Council to comply with Government policies

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

47 Further provisions applying to Council

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

48 Levies

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

49 Interest on levies

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

50 Application of levies

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

51 Transitional provision relating to subsidies

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

52 Transitional provision relating to membership of Council

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

53 Council to wind up operations before dissolution

[Repealed]

Sections 44 to 53 were repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

54 Dissolution of Council

(1) On the commencement of this section,—
- (a) The Council shall be dissolved; and
- (b) Every person holding office as a member of the Council shall cease to hold that office; and no such member shall be entitled to any compensation in respect of loss of office; and
- (c) All rights, assets, liabilities, and debts of the Council shall become vested in the Crown; and
- (d) The sum (if any) separately accounted for under section 48 of this Act shall cease to be separately accounted for.
(2) This section shall come into force on—
- (a) The 1st day of April 1997; or
- (b) Such earlier date as may be appointed for the commencement of this section by the Governor-General by Order in Council,—
whichever occurs first.
(3) Any Order in Council made under subsection (2)(b) of this section shall not come into force before the expiration of 3 months after the Order in Council has been gazetted.

55 Expiration of provisions relating to Council

As from the earlier of—
- (a) The close of the 31st day of March 1997; or
- (b) Where an Order in Council is made under section 54(2)(b) of this Act, the close of the day before the date appointed in that Order in Council as the day on which section 54 of this Act is to come into force (in this section referred to as the appointed day),—
sections 44 to 53 of this Act, and Schedule 1 to this Act, shall expire, and on the earlier of the 1st day of April 1997 or the appointed day those sections and that Schedule shall be deemed to have been repealed.

56 Consequential amendment to Official Information Act 1982

(1) The Official Information Act 1982 is hereby amended by omitting from Schedule 1 (as substituted by section 23(1) of the Official Information Amendment Act 1987) the item relating to the Rural Electrical Reticulation Council.

(2) This section shall come into force on the date on which section 54 of this Act comes into force.

Part 6
Miscellaneous provisions relating to supply of electricity

57 Compensation for damage

(1) Every person having any right, title, estate, or interest in any land or property injuriously affected by the exercise from time to time of any powers conferred by Part 2 or Part 3 of this Act on the Secretary or an electricity operator or any other owner of existing works shall be entitled to full compensation for all loss, injury, or damage suffered by that person.

(2) In default of agreement between the parties, claims for compensation under this section shall be made and determined within the time and in the manner provided by the Public Works Act 1981, and the provisions of that Act shall, as far as they are applicable and with all necessary modifications, apply with respect to claims under this section.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of any enactment or any rule of law, the exercise of any power conferred by this Act on the Secretary shall not be curtailed, suspended, or delayed by reason of the fact that any claim for compensation under this section has been made but not determined.

Compare: 1968 No 125 s 16

58 Compensation for trees and vegetation removed

Where any tree or part of a tree or any vegetation or part of any vegetation is removed pursuant to any regulations made under section 169 of this Act, compensation, to be assessed in the manner prescribed by the Public Works Act 1981, shall be payable if the tree or vegetation was growing on the land before the construction of the works or electrical installation but not in any other case.

Compare: 1968 No 125 s 19B; 1986 No 2 s 4

59 Returns relating to construction of works, etc

Every person who constructs any works or electrical installation shall, where required by regulations made under section 169 of this Act, furnish to the Secretary, in such form and at such time as may be prescribed, such particulars relating to the works or installation as may be prescribed by regulations made under that section.

60 Standards for electricity supply

All electricity distributed by an electricity distributor shall comply with such standards as are for the time being prescribed by regulations made under section 169 of this Act.

61 Safety requirements

All works, electrical installations, and electrical appliances shall be of such quality and standard, and shall be constructed, maintained, and operated in accordance with such safety requirements, as are prescribed by regulations made under section 169 of this Act.

61A Electricity generators and electricity distributors must have safety management systems

62 Continuance of supply

(1) In this section,—
Designated electricity distributor, in relation to a place, means the person who is, for the time being, the operator of—
- (a) The works used for the purposes of supplying line function services to that place on 1 April 1993; or
- (b) Any works subsequently used, including works that replace works to which paragraph (a) applies, for the purposes of supplying line function services to that place:
Existing electricity distributor means any electricity distributor that, immediately before 1 April 1993, was the holder of a licence issued under section 20 of the Electricity Act 1968 and in force immediately before that date.
(2) Except as provided by this Act or any regulations made under section 169 or by written agreement with a particular consumer (whether entered into before or after 1 April 1993), where, on 1 April 1993, an existing electricity distributor was supplying line function services to any place, the person that, in relation to that place, is for the time being the designated electricity distributor must not cease to supply line function services to that place without the prior consent of the Minister or of every consumer who would be affected by the cessation of those services.
(3) Nothing in subsection (2) applies where a designated electricity distributor ceases to supply line function services to any place in any of the following circumstances:
- (a) Where the designated electricity distributor is entitled to cease to supply line function services by reason of the failure of any consumer to pay any money due on account of—
  - (i) The supply of those line function services to that place; or
  - (ii) The supply of electricity to that place:
- (b) Where cessation of supply is rendered necessary for reasons of safety or in order to carry out maintenance or upgrading work:
- (c) Where cessation of supply results from circumstances beyond the control of the designated electricity distributor, including (without limitation) fire, earthquake, lightning, inevitable accident, act of God, or force majeure.
(4) Where, for any of the reasons referred to in subsection (3) of this section, a designated electricity distributor ceases to supply line function services to any place, that cessation of services may continue only for so long as any 1 or more of those reasons continues to exist.

(5) Except as provided by subsection (3) of this section, every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues who, in contravention of subsection (2) of this section, ceases to supply line function services to any place.

(6) This section shall expire with the close of the 31st day of March 2013, and on the 1st day of April 2013 this section shall be deemed to have been repealed.

Subsections (1) to (3) were substituted, as from 28 July 1997, by section 3(1) Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42).

Subsection (4) was amended, as from 28 July 1997, by section 3(2) Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42) by substituting the words “a designated electricity distributor” for the words “an electricity distributor”.

Subsection (5) was amended, as from 28 July 1997, by section 3(3) Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42) by substituting the word “person” for the words “electricity distributor to which this section applies”.

Part 6A
Restriction on new fossil-fuelled thermal electricity generating capacity

[Repealed]

Part 6A: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Preliminary provisions

Heading: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62A Purpose of this Part

[Repealed]

Section 62A: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62B Expiry of this Part

[Repealed]

Section 62B: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62C Interpretation

[Repealed]

Section 62C: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Restriction on connection and operation of specified generation plant

Heading: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62D Restriction on connection and operation of specified generation plant

[Repealed]

Section 62D: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62E Additional penalty for breach involving commercial gain

[Repealed]

Section 62E: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Exemptions

Heading: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62F Minister of Energy may grant exemption

[Repealed]

Section 62F: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62G Minister of Energy may only grant exemption if satisfied of certain matters

[Repealed]

Section 62G: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62H Grounds and terms and conditions of exemption

[Repealed]

Section 62H: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62I Public consultation on recommendations

[Repealed]

Section 62I: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62J Publication of exemption and reasons

[Repealed]

Section 62J: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62K Revocation of exemption

[Repealed]

Section 62K: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62L Commission may grant temporary emergency exemption

[Repealed]

Section 62L: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Enforcement

Heading: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62M Commission must monitor compliance

[Repealed]

Section 62M: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Commission may use information collected or provided under regulations or rules

Heading: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62N Commission may use information collected or provided under regulations or rules

[Repealed]

Section 62N: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Regulations

Heading: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

62O Regulations for purposes of this Part

[Repealed]

Section 62O: repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 4 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Part 7
Price restraint

[Expired]

63 Regulations relating to price of electricity

[Expired]

Part 7 (comprising sections 63 to 67) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1997, and was repealed, as from 1 April 1997, by section 67 Electricity Act 1992 (1992 No 122).

64 Definition of domestic premises

[Expired]

Part 7 (comprising sections 63 to 67) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1997, and was repealed, as from 1 April 1997, by section 67 Electricity Act 1992 (1992 No 122).

65 Offences

[Expired]

Part 7 (comprising sections 63 to 67) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1997, and was repealed, as from 1 April 1997, by section 67 Electricity Act 1992 (1992 No 122).

66 Other Acts relating to price control not affected

[Expired]

Part 7 (comprising sections 63 to 67) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1997, and was repealed, as from 1 April 1997, by section 67 Electricity Act 1992 (1992 No 122).

67 Expiry of this Part

[Expired]

Part 7 (comprising sections 63 to 67) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1997, and was repealed, as from 1 April 1997, by section 67 Electricity Act 1992 (1992 No 122).

Part 8
Licensing of electricity suppliers

[Repealed]

68 Definition of consumer for purposes of this Part

[Repealed]

Part 8 (comprising sections 68 to 73) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1994, and was deemed to have been repealed, as from 1 April 1994, by section 73 of this Act.

69 Licence to supply electricity

[Repealed]

Part 8 (comprising sections 68 to 73) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1994, and was deemed to have been repealed, as from 1 April 1994, by section 73 of this Act.

70 Offence

[Repealed]

Part 8 (comprising sections 68 to 73) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1994, and was deemed to have been repealed, as from 1 April 1994, by section 73 of this Act.

71 Supply of electricity to consumers outside supply area

[Repealed]

Part 8 (comprising sections 68 to 73) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1994, and was deemed to have been repealed, as from 1 April 1994, by section 73 of this Act.

72 Duty to supply

[Repealed]

Part 8 (comprising sections 68 to 73) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1994, and was deemed to have been repealed, as from 1 April 1994, by section 73 of this Act.

73 Expiry of this Part

[Repealed]

Part 8 (comprising sections 68 to 73) expired, as from the close of 31 March 1994, and was deemed to have been repealed, as from 1 April 1994, by section 73 of this Act.

Part 9
Registration and licensing of electrical workers

Registration of electrical workers

74 Qualifications for registration as electrical service technician

Subject to section 78 of this Act, every person shall, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), be entitled to be registered as an electrical service technician if the person satisfies the Board that he or she—
- (a) Has completed such training as is prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (b) Has had such practical experience in electrical servicing as is prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (c) Has passed such examinations as are prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (d) Has completed such training in resuscitation, safe working practices, and testing as is prescribed for the purposes of this section.
Compare: 1979 No 139 ss 18 to 21

75 Qualifications for registration as electrician

Subject to section 78 of this Act, every person shall, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), be entitled to be registered as an electrician if the person satisfies the Board that he or she—
- (a) Has completed such training as is prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (b) Has had such experience as is prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (c) Has passed such examinations as are prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (d) Has completed such training in resuscitation, safe working practices, and testing as is prescribed for the purposes of this section.
Compare: 1979 No 139 ss 16, 17

76 Qualifications for registration as line mechanic

Subject to section 78 of this Act, every person shall, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), be entitled to be registered as a line mechanic if the person satisfies the Board that he or she—
- (a) Has completed such training as is prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (b) Has had such experience as is prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (c) Has passed such examinations as are prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (d) Has completed such training in resuscitation, safe working practices, and testing as is prescribed for the purposes of this section.
Compare: 1959 No 46 s 14; 1985 No 174 s 2

77 Qualifications for registration as electrical inspector

Subject to section 78 of this Act, every person shall, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), be entitled to be registered as an electrical inspector if the person satisfies the Board that he or she—
- (a) Either—
  - (i) Has been registered under this Part of this Act or the Electrical Registration Act 1979 for not less than 3 years; or
  - (ii) Is a qualified engineer; and
- (b) Has had such experience as is prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (c) Has passed such examinations as are prescribed for the purposes of this section; and
- (d) Has completed such training as is prescribed for the purposes of this section.
Compare: 1979 No 139 s 26

78 Refusal of registration

(1) The Board may refuse to approve the registration of any person under this Part of this Act if—
- (a) That person has, within the period of 10 years immediately preceding the making of the person's application for registration, been convicted, by any court in New Zealand or overseas, of any offence for which the maximum penalty is not less than 3 months imprisonment; and
- (b) The Board is satisfied that the circumstances of the offence reflect adversely on that person's fitness to undertake the class of work in respect of which the person has applied to be registered.
(2) The Board may refuse to approve the registration of any person under this Part of this Act if, within the period of 10 years immediately preceding the making of the person's application for registration, the person,—
- (a) Having previously been registered under this Part of this Act, has had his or her name removed from the register under section 127 of this Act; or
- (b) Having previously been the holder of a certificate of competency as an electric lineman under the Electric Linemen Act 1959, has had that certificate revoked under paragraph (c) or paragraph (d) of section 18(1) of that Act; or
- (c) Having previously been registered under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 or having previously been the holder of any provisional licence issued under that Act, has had his or her name removed from any register, or, as the case may be, has had that provisional licence withdrawn, under any of paragraphs (c) to (i) of section 29(1) of that Act or under section 29(2)(b) or section 40(2) of that Act; or
- (d) Has engaged in conduct that, if the person had been registered under this Part of this Act, would, in the opinion of the Board, have justified the removal of his or her name from the register.
Compare: 1979 No 139 s 15

79 Provisional licences

(1) The Board may from time to time, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), grant to any person a provisional licence to carry out any specified electrical work.

(2) A provisional licence shall, unless it is sooner cancelled, remain in force for the period (not exceeding 12 months or such other period as may be necessary for examination purposes) stated in it.

(3) While a provisional licence remains in force, the holder of the licence shall be entitled to carry out such work as may be specified in the licence.

(4) The Board may at any time cancel a provisional licence if the conditions of the licence have not been met.

Compare: 1979 No 139 s 22

80 Application for registration by provisional licensee

(1) Notwithstanding anything in section 74 or section 75 or section 76 of this Act, the Board may, on application made at any time during the currency or after the expiry of a provisional licence, and on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), grant to the person to whom the licence was issued registration as an electrical service technician or an electrician or a line mechanic.
(2) The Board shall not grant registration under subsection (1) of this section unless it is satisfied that the applicant—
- (a) Has had such experience as is prescribed by or under this Act for the class or classes of work in respect of which the person has applied for registration; and
- (b) Has passed such examinations as are prescribed by or under this Act for the class or classes of work in respect of which the person has applied for registration; and
- (c) Has completed such training in resuscitation, safe working practices, and testing as is prescribed by or under this Act for the class or classes of work in respect of which the person has applied for registration; and
- (d) Has, during the currency of the provisional licence, satisfactorily performed the class or classes of work in respect of which the person has applied for registration.

81 Persons qualified overseas

Subject to section 78 of this Act but notwithstanding sections 74 to 77 of this Act, a person shall, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), be entitled to be registered as an electrical service technician, an electrician, a line mechanic, or an electrical inspector, as the case may require, if that person satisfies the Board—
- (a) That he or she—
  - (i) Is the holder of a recognised certificate; and
  - (ii) Has fulfilled such further conditions as may be prescribed or as are specified by the Board; or
- (b) That, notwithstanding that he or she is not the holder of a recognised certificate,—
  - (i) He or she has successfully undergone a course of training, elsewhere than in New Zealand, that, in the opinion of the Board, is substantially equivalent to the course of training that he or she would have had to undergo in New Zealand for the purpose of obtaining the registration for which he or she is applying; and
  - (ii) He or she has fulfilled such further conditions as may be prescribed or as are specified by the Board.

82 Applications for registration or provisional licence

(1) Every application for registration or for a provisional licence shall be made, in writing, in the prescribed form (if any), to the Registrar.
(2) Every application made under subsection (1) of this section—
- (a) Shall state an address at which notices may be served on the applicant; and
- (b) Shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any).
Compare: 1959 No 46 s 16(1); 1979 No 139 s 27(1)

83 Applications to be considered by Board

(1) As soon as practicable after the receipt of an application for registration or for a provisional licence, the Board shall consider the application and shall give such directions in respect of it as it thinks fit and as are authorised by or under this Part of this Act or any regulations made under section 169 of this Act.
(2) In connection with any such application, the Board may, if it thinks fit,—
- (a) Examine on oath or otherwise the applicant, or any other person, with respect to the application, and for the purposes of this paragraph the Presiding Member of the Board may administer an oath to any person:
- (b) Appoint some competent person or authority to inquire and report to it as to the training, experience, and qualifications of the applicant, or any matter connected with the application:
- (c) Subject to section 156 of this Act, receive any evidence that it thinks fit (whether on oath or otherwise), and act on any statement, document, report, information, matter, or recommendation that in its opinion may assist it to deal with the application:
- (d) Require any person to verify by statutory declaration any statement made by the person with respect to any application, or with respect to any objection to an application.
Compare: 1959 No 46 s 16(2), (3); 1979 No 139 s 27(2), (3)

84 Board not to decline application without giving applicant opportunity to be heard

The Board shall not decline an application for registration or for a provisional licence without first giving the applicant—
- (a) A copy of any information on which the Board relies in proposing to decline the application; and
- (b) A reasonable opportunity to comment on that information and to be heard, either personally or by that person's representative, in support of the application.

85 Determination of application

(1) If the Board, after considering any application in accordance with sections 83 and 84 of this Act, considers that the applicant is entitled to be registered under this Part of this Act or, as the case may require, that the applicant should be granted a provisional licence, in accordance with that person's application, it shall so direct; and the Registrar shall register the applicant or, as the case may be, issue to the person a provisional licence, and shall notify him or her accordingly.
(2) If the Board, after considering any application in accordance with sections 83 and 84 of this Act, considers that the applicant is not entitled to be so registered or, as the case may be, should not be granted a provisional licence, it shall direct accordingly, and shall direct the Registrar to notify the applicant in writing of—
- (a) The reasons for its direction; and
- (b) The applicant's rights of appeal against the direction.
(3) If the Board, after considering any application, is of the opinion that it possesses insufficient information to decide whether the applicant is entitled to be registered or not, or, as the case may be, whether the applicant should or should not be granted a provisional licence, it may defer its decision for any period not exceeding 3 months to enable further information to be obtained, and the Registrar shall notify the applicant accordingly.

Compare: 1959 No 46 s 16(4), (5); 1970 No 132 s 4(2); 1979 No 139 s 27(4) to (6)

86 Limits to work that may be undertaken

(1) The Board may direct that the registration of any person shall be limited, either indefinitely or for such period as the Board may direct, in one or more of the following respects, namely:
- (a) The person shall be limited to such work as the Board may specify, and in imposing such a limitation the Board may also impose limitations on the circumstances in which the person may do that work:
- (b) The person shall be limited to work only on approved premises:
- (c) The person shall be limited to work only in the employ of an approved employer.
(2) The Board may at any time, on the application of the registered person or on its own motion, amend or revoke any direction given under this section, and on doing so it shall direct the Registrar to amend the appropriate register and to notify the registered person accordingly.

Compare: 1979 No 139 s 28

87 Registers to be kept

(1) The Board shall maintain registers containing the prescribed particulars in respect of all persons registered under this Part of this Act.

(2) The registers shall be kept by the Registrar.

(3) Where the registration of any person is authorised pursuant to section 85 of this Act, the Registrar shall enter in the appropriate register such particulars with respect to the person as may be prescribed, including a statement of any limitations subject to which the registration has been authorised.

(4) The Registrar shall keep the registers open for public inspection on payment of the prescribed fee (if any) during ordinary office hours at the Registrar's office.

Compare: 1959 No 46 s 16(6); 1970 No 132 s 4(2); 1979 No 139 ss 14(1), 27(7)

88 Certificate of registration

(1) Every person registered under this Part of this Act shall, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), be entitled to receive a certificate of registration signed by the Registrar.

(2) Every such certificate shall include a statement of any limitations subject to which the registration has been authorised.

(3) Every such certificate shall remain the property of the Board, and shall be surrendered as required under this Act or on demand by the Registrar in writing.

Compare: 1959 No 46 s 16(7); 1970 No 132 s 4(2); 1979 No 139 s 27(8)

Maintenance of registers

89 Revision of registers

(1) Without limiting the powers conferred by section 127 of this Act, the Board may at any time direct the Registrar to send to any person who is registered under this Part of this Act a letter, addressed to that person at his or her last known address, inquiring whether or not that person wishes to have his or her name retained on the register.

(2) If no reply is received to the letter within 3 months after it has been posted, or if the letter is not delivered and is returned to the Board, the Registrar shall, if the Board so directs, remove from the register the name of the person to whom the letter was sent.

(3) Any person whose name is removed from any register under this section may apply to the Registrar to have that person's name restored to the register, and on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), the Registrar shall restore that person's name to the register.

Compare: 1979 No 139 s 30

90 Cancellation of registration or provisional licence

The Board may direct the Registrar to remove the name of any person from any register, or may cancel the provisional licence of any person, if it is proved to the satisfaction of the Board that—
- (a) The person has died; or
- (b) The person has been registered or granted a provisional licence by reason of any false or fraudulent representation or declaration, made either orally or in writing; or
- (c) The person is not entitled to be registered or, as the case may be, granted a provisional licence; or
- (d) The person is no longer employed in the situation to which his or her registration applies; or
- (e) His or her name is transferred to any other such register on becoming entitled to the transfer.
Compare: 1959 No 46 s 18(1)(a); 1979 No 139 s 29(1)(a), (b), (j), (k), (2)(c)

91 Correction of registers

Where the Board is satisfied that any person who is registered under this Part of this Act has changed his or her name, or that the name or address or any other particulars of any person who is so registered are incorrectly stated in any register, the Board shall direct the Registrar to correct any entry in the register relating to the person accordingly.

92 Notification of amendments to register, etc

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, where—
- (a) The name of any person is removed from any register pursuant to any of paragraphs (b) to (e) of section 90 of this Act; or
- (b) The provisional licence of any person is cancelled pursuant to paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of section 90 of this Act; or
- (c) Any entry in any register relating to any person is altered pursuant to section 91 of this Act,—
the Registrar shall forthwith give notice in writing of that removal or cancellation or alteration to the person whose name was so removed or, as the case may require, the person whose provisional licence was so cancelled or the person in respect of whom the alteration was made.
(2) The Registrar shall not be required by subsection (1) of this section to notify any person of any alteration to any entry in any register relating to that person if that alteration is made at the request of that person.

93 Removal of name on request

(1) If any person applies in writing to the Registrar to have that person's name removed from any register, the Registrar shall remove that person's name from the register accordingly.

(2) The removal from any register of the name of any person shall not affect that person's liability for any act done or default made before the date of removal.

94 Restoration of name to register

(1) Any person whose name is removed from any register under section 93(1) of this Act may apply to the Registrar to have that person's name restored to the register, and, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), the Registrar shall, if the Board so directs, restore to the register the name of that person.

(2) If for any reason the Board declines an application made under subsection (1) of this section, it shall specify the conditions to be fulfilled by the applicant before a further application will be considered by the Board from the same person.

Practising licences

95 Practising licence required

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section or in sections 109 to 113 of this Act, no registered person shall be entitled to do any prescribed electrical work that the person is otherwise entitled to do by virtue of that person's registration, unless that person is the holder of a current practising licence issued under this Part of this Act in respect of the class or classes of work in respect of which that person is registered.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section prevents a registered person who is not the holder of a current practising licence from doing any prescribed electrical work if that work is not done for reward.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) of this section, work is done for reward if, in respect of what is done, any money is paid, or any valuable thing is given, whether to the person who does the work or to any other person.

96 Applications for practising licences

(1) Every application for the issue of a practising licence shall be made to the Registrar.
(2) Every application under subsection (1) of this section shall—
- (a) Specify—
  - (i) Whether the applicant is, at the date of the application, actively engaged in the class or classes of work in respect of which the applicant is registered; and
  - (ii) Such other particulars as may be prescribed; and
- (b) Be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any).
(3) On receiving an application under subsection (1) of this section, the Registrar shall,—
- (a) Subject to section 99 of this Act, where the application specifies that the applicant is, at the date of the application, actively engaged in the class or classes of work in respect of which the applicant is registered, issue to the applicant a practising licence; or
- (b) In any other case, refer the application to the Board.

97 Board to consider applications

(1) The Board shall consider every application referred to it under section 96(3)(b) of this Act, and, if it is satisfied that the applicant is competent to engage in work of the class or classes in respect of which the applicant is registered, shall direct the Registrar to issue a practising licence to the applicant.
(2) The Board shall not decline an application referred to it under section 96(3)(b) of this Act without first giving the applicant—
- (a) A copy of any information on which the Board relies in proposing to decline the application; and
- (b) A reasonable opportunity to comment on that information and to be heard, either personally or by that person's representative, in support of the application.
(3) Where the Board declines an application referred to it under section 96(3)(b) of this Act, it shall direct accordingly, and shall direct the Registrar to notify the applicant in writing of—
- (a) The reasons for its direction; and
- (b) Any condition (being a condition that the applicant pass a specified examination, or complete any specified period of practical training, or acquire any specified practical experience, or attend any specified course of instruction) that the Board requires the applicant to fulfil before a practising licence will be issued to him or her; and
- (c) The applicant's rights of appeal against the decision.

98 Limitations to be noted on licence

Every practising licence issued to any person shall include a statement of any limitations subject to which that person's registration is authorised.

99 Regulations may prescribe conditions for issue of practising licence

(1) For the purpose of ensuring that all registered persons who are issued with practising licences are competent to engage in work of the class or classes in respect of which they are registered, the Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council made on the advice of the Minister tendered on the recommendation of the Board, make regulations prescribing conditions that must be fulfilled by applicants for a practising licence, or by any specified class or classes of applicants for a practising licence, before such a licence will be issued to them.
(2) The following conditions may be prescribed under subsection (1) of this section:
- (a) A condition that the applicant has passed such examination as may be prescribed:
- (b) A condition that the applicant has completed such period of practical training as may be prescribed:
- (c) A condition that the applicant has acquired such practical experience as may be prescribed:
- (d) A condition that the applicant has attended such course of instruction as may be prescribed.
(3) Different conditions may be prescribed under subsection (1) of this section for different classes of applicants.

(4) Any regulations prescribing any condition under subsection (1) of this section may exempt or provide for the exemption of any person or class of persons from the requirement to fulfil such condition.
(5) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 96 of this Act, where—
- (a) An application to which that paragraph applies is received by the Registrar; and
- (b) The Registrar is not satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled all the conditions prescribed under subsection (1) of this section that must be fulfilled by the applicant,—
the Registrar shall decline to issue a practising licence to the applicant, and shall notify the applicant of that decision, of the reasons for it, and of the applicant's rights of appeal against that decision.

100 Currency of practising licences

(1) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, every practising licence shall be in force for such period (not exceeding 5 years) as is specified in that behalf in the licence.
(2) A practising licence comes into force,—
- (a) If it is issued before the date of the expiry of the current licence held by the applicant, on the 1st day of July next after the date of its issue; and
- (b) In any other case, on the date of its issue,—
and in either case it expires with the close of the 30th day of June in the year in which it is stated to expire.
(3) If at any time during the currency of a practising licence its holder ceases to be registered under this Part of this Act, that person's practising licence shall cease to be in force, and the Board may direct that person to return that licence to the Registrar.

(4) Every person who is entitled to receive a practising licence under section 96(3)(a) of this Act shall be deemed to be the holder of that licence when that person has duly applied for it to the Registrar and has paid the prescribed fee (if any).

Subsection (2) was substituted, as from 28 July 1997, by section 4 Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42).

Employer licences

101 Employer licence

(1) Every person shall, on application in the prescribed form (if any) and on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), be entitled to be granted an employer licence by the Secretary, if that person satisfies the Secretary that the person will at all times maintain a system of operation—
- (a) That complies with such requirements as are prescribed by regulations made under section 169 of this Act; and
- (b) That is sufficient to ensure that employees of that person who do or assist in doing prescribed electrical work—
  - (i) Are competent to carry out the range of work for which they are employed; and
  - (ii) Receive such supervision and training as is necessary to ensure that such work—
    - (A) Is carried out safely and competently; and
    - (B) Complies with the requirements of this Act and any regulations made under section 169 of this Act.
(2) The Secretary may impose in respect of any employer licence issued pursuant to this section such conditions as the Secretary thinks fit.
(3) Subject to any conditions imposed pursuant to subsection (2) of this section and to any regulations made under section 169 of this Act,—
- (a) An employer licence shall authorise the holder of the licence to authorise any employee of that person to do or assist in doing any prescribed electrical work; and
- (b) Any authority given under an employer licence to any person to do or assist in doing any prescribed electrical work shall be sufficient authority for the person so authorised to do or, as the case may be, assist in doing that work.

102 Duration and renewal of licence

(1) Subject to this section and to section 103 of this Act, every employer licence shall be in force for such period (not exceeding 5 years) as is specified in the licence, and shall come into force on the date of its issue.

(2) Every employer licence, unless it has been revoked pursuant to section 103 of this Act, may from time to time be renewed in accordance with this section.

(3) An application for the renewal of an employer licence shall be made in writing, in the prescribed form (if any), to the Secretary, and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any).

(4) On receiving an application under subsection (3) of this section, the Secretary shall, subject to subsection (5) of this section, renew the employer licence to which the application relates for such period (not exceeding 5 years) as the Secretary thinks fit.

(5) The Secretary shall not renew an employer licence unless the Secretary is satisfied that the applicant meets all the requirements for the issue of such a licence.

(6) Where an application for the renewal of an employer licence has been made but not dealt with before the licence expires, the licence shall continue in force until the application is dealt with by the Secretary, and any renewal in any such case shall take effect from the date on which the licence would (but for the renewal) have expired.

103 Revocation of licence

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the Secretary may at any time revoke the employer licence issued to any person if the Secretary is satisfied that the person—
- (a) No longer meets all the requirements for the issue of an employer licence; or
- (b) Has failed to comply with any condition imposed by the Secretary in respect of that licence; or
- (c) Has failed to ensure that the prescribed electrical work done by employees of that person—
  - (i) Is at all times carried out safely and competently; and
  - (ii) Complies with the requirements of this Act and any regulations made under section 169 of this Act.
(2) The Secretary shall not revoke an employer licence issued to any person unless the Secretary has first given that person an opportunity to be heard.

104 Revocation, etc, of conditions

The Secretary may at any time revoke, amend, or add to any condition imposed under section 101(2) of this Act.

105 Powers of inspection

(1) There shall be deemed to be imposed in respect of every employer licence a condition that the Secretary may, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the terms of the licence,—
- (a) At any reasonable time, inspect any premises (not being a dwellinghouse) occupied by the holder of the licence, and for that purpose may enter and re-enter any place:
- (b) Require the holder of the licence to produce for inspection, within such reasonable period as the Secretary may specify, any document in the possession or under the control of the holder of the licence, and may take copies of or extracts from any such document:
- (c) Require the holder of the licence to furnish, within such reasonable period as the Secretary may specify, such information or particulars as the Secretary may require.
(2) If the holder of an employer licence breaches a condition expressed in subsection (1) of this section, the Secretary may revoke that person's licence pursuant to section 103 of this Act.

(3) Every person shall give reasonable notice of that person's intention to enter any premises pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section to the holder of the employer licence, unless the giving of the notice would defeat the purpose of the entry.
(4) Every person shall, on entering any premises pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section, and when requested at any subsequent time, produce—
- (a) Evidence of that person's authority to enter the premises; and
- (b) Evidence of that person's identity.
(5) Nothing in this section authorises any person to enter or search any restricted area within a defence area (within the meaning of the Defence Act 1990) unless the person entering that area has a security clearance approved by the person in charge of the area.

Transitional provisions

106 Transitional provisions relating to registration

(1) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this section, was registered under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 as an electrician or an electrical mechanic shall, provided that a written request is made to the Board within 12 months of the commencement of this section, or such longer period as the Board may decide, be granted registration as an electrician under this Part of this Act.
(2) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this section,—
- (a) Was registered under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 as a radio-electronics serviceman or an electrical appliance serviceman; or
- (b) Was the holder of a restricted certificate under that Act—
shall, provided that a written request is made to the Board within 12 months of the commencement of this section, or such longer period as the Board may decide, be granted registration as an electrical service technician under this Part of this Act.
(3) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this section, was registered under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 as an electrical technician or an inspector of electrical wiring shall, provided that a written request is made to the Board within 12 months of the commencement of this section, or such longer period as the Board may decide, be granted registration as an electrical inspector under this Part of this Act.
(4) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this section,—
- (a) Was qualified to be registered under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 but was not in fact registered; or
- (b) Was qualified to be issued with a restricted certificate under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 but was not the holder of such a certificate—
shall, on formal application, be eligible for registration in accordance with the appropriate provision of subsections (1) to (3) of this section.
(5) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this section, held a certificate of competency as an electric lineman under the Electric Linemen Act 1959 shall, provided that a written request is made to the Board within 12 months of the commencement of this section, or such longer period as the Board may decide, be granted registration as a line mechanic under this Part of this Act.

(6) Where registration is granted to any person pursuant to any of the provisions of this section, the Board may, pursuant to section 86 of this Act, direct that the person's registration be limited in any 1 or more of the respects authorised by that section.

Compare: 1979 No 139 s 32(1)-(10)

107 Further transitional provisions relating to registration

(1) Every registration under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 as an electrician that was valid immediately before the date of the commencement of this section shall be deemed to be a valid registration under this Part of this Act as an electrician for a period of 1 year from that date.
(2) Every registration under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 as an electrical mechanic that was valid immediately before the date of the commencement of this section—
- (a) Shall be deemed to be valid registration under this Part of this Act as an electrician for a period of 1 year from that date; and
- (b) Shall, for that period, be deemed to be subject to the following limitation, namely, that the person shall not,—
  - (i) While carrying out any wiring installation work that the person is entitled to do only by virtue of that person's registration, be assisted by any unregistered person; or
  - (ii) Test or certify any such work,—
  unless the work done by that person or, as the case may be, that testing or certification is carried out under the supervision of—
  - (iii) A registered electrical inspector; or
  - (iv) A registered electrician whose registration is not subject to the limitation prescribed by this paragraph.
(3) Every registration under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 as a radio-electronics serviceman or an electrical appliance serviceman that was valid immediately before the date of the commencement of this section shall be deemed to be valid registration under this Part of this Act as an electrical service technician for a period of 1 year from that date.

(4) Every registration under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 as an electrical technician or an inspector of electrical wiring that was valid immediately before the date of the commencement of this section shall be deemed to be valid registration under this Part of this Act as an electrical inspector for a period of 1 year from that date.

(5) Every restricted certificate under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 that was valid immediately before the date of the commencement of this section shall be deemed to be valid registration under this Part of this Act as an electrical service technician for a period of 1 year from that date.

(6) Every certificate of competency as an electric lineman under the Electric Linemen Act 1959 that was valid immediately before the date of the commencement of this section shall be deemed to be valid registration under this Part of this Act as a line mechanic for a period of 1 year from that date.

(7) Every provisional licence issued under section 22 of the Electrical Registration Act 1979 that was valid immediately before the date of the commencement of this section shall be deemed to be a valid provisional licence issued under section 79 of this Act until the expiry date printed on the licence.

(8) Where, by virtue of any of the provisions of this section, any person is deemed to have valid registration under this Part of this Act, the Board may, at any time during which that person's registration is so deemed to be valid, direct, pursuant to section 86 of this Act, that the person's registration be limited in any 1 or more of the respects authorised by that section.

Compare: 1979 No 139 s 32(11), (12)

Part 10
Restrictions on electrical work

108 Restrictions on doing or assisting with prescribed electrical work

(1) Subject to section 101 and sections 109 to 113 of this Act, no person shall do any prescribed electrical work, or assist in doing any prescribed electrical work, unless that person is authorised to do so under this section.
(2) The following persons may do prescribed electrical work, or assist in doing prescribed electrical work, within the limits prescribed in regulations made under section 169 of this Act:
- (a) Registered electricians:
- (b) Registered line mechanics:
- (c) Registered electrical inspectors:
- (d) Registered electrical service technicians:
- (e) Persons who are authorised to carry out such work under a provisional licence:
- (f) Trainees:
- (g) Qualified engineers.
Compare: 1959 No 46 s 19; 1979 No 139 ss 33(1), 34(2), (3)

109 Exemption for work done under supervision

Notwithstanding anything in section 108 of this Act, any person may do any prescribed electrical work, or assist in doing any prescribed electrical work, if—
- (a) That work is within the limits prescribed in regulations made under section 169 of this Act for the purposes of this section; and
- (b) The work done by that person is carried out under the supervision of a supervisor of electrical work; and
- (c) Except as provided in any regulations made under section 169 of this Act, while that work is being carried out by that first-mentioned person, no part of the work is connected to a power supply; and
- (d) The work is—
  - (i) Tested and certified in accordance with regulations made under section 169 of this Act; and
  - (ii) Connected to a power supply—
  by a supervisor of electrical work.
Compare: 1959 No 46 s 20; 1979 No 139 ss 33(1), 35

110 Exemption for domestic electrical work

(1) Notwithstanding anything in section 108 of this Act, the owner of any premises that are occupied or intended to be occupied by that person as a residence for that person, or for that person and members of his or her family, may do any electrical wiring work, or assist in doing any electrical wiring work, in relation to those premises, if—
- (a) That work is within the limits prescribed in regulations made under section 169 of this Act for the purposes of this section; and
- (b) The work is carried out in accordance with the requirements of any regulations made under section 169 of this Act; and
- (c) The work is carried out in a competent manner; and
- (d) While that work is being carried out, no part of the work is connected to a power supply; and
- (e) Where required by regulations made under section 169 of this Act,—
  - (i) Before connection to a power supply, the work is tested and certified by a registered electrical inspector in accordance with regulations made under that section; and
  - (ii) The work is connected to a power supply by such an inspector.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the term owner, in relation to any premises, means the person who (whether alone or as a joint tenant or tenant in common) would for the time being be entitled to receive the rack rent of the premises on his or her own account if the premises were let to a tenant at a rack rent.

Compare: 1979 No 139 s 34(1)

111 Exemption for maintenance of domestic appliances

(1) Notwithstanding anything in section 108 of this Act, the owner of any electrical appliance may do any prescribed electrical work, or assist in doing any prescribed electrical work, in relation to that appliance, if—
- (a) The appliance is kept principally for the use of that person, or any near relative of that person, or both; and
- (b) The appliance is used principally for domestic purposes and not for commercial or industrial purposes; and
- (c) The work is within the limits prescribed in regulations made under section 169 of this Act for the purposes of this section; and
- (d) The work is carried out in accordance with the requirements of any regulations made under section 169 of this Act; and
- (e) The work is carried out in a competent manner; and
- (f) While that work is being carried out, the appliance is not connected to a power supply; and
- (g) Where required by regulations made under section 169 of this Act, the work is tested and certified by a registered electrical inspector in accordance with regulations made under that section before connection to a power supply.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the term near relative, in relation to any person, means—
- (a) a grandparent of that person:
- (b) a parent or step-parent of that person:
- (c) a parent or step-parent of that person's spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner:
- (d) a brother or sister of that person, including a half-brother or half-sister:
- (e) that person's spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner:
- (f) a child or step-child of that person:
- (g) a grandchild of that person.
Subsection (2) was substituted, as from 26 April 2005, by section 7 Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005 (2005 No 3).

112 Exemption for tradespersons

Notwithstanding anything in section 108 of this Act, any person (being a person who is engaged in any profession, trade, or calling specified in that behalf in regulations made under section 169 of this Act, or in any class of profession, trade, or calling so specified) may do any prescribed electrical work, or assist in doing any prescribed electrical work, in the course of that person's profession, trade, or calling, if—
- (a) That work is within the limits prescribed in regulations made under section 169 of this Act for the purposes of this section; and
- (b) The work is carried out in accordance with the requirements of any regulations made under section 169 of this Act; and
- (c) The work is carried out in a competent manner.

113 Temporary exemption for certain organisations

(1) This section applies to the following persons:
- (a) The Corporation and its subsidiaries:
- (b) Any person or body that, immediately before the commencement of this section, was licensed under Part 3 of the Electricity Act 1968, or was otherwise authorised to supply electricity:
- (c) New Zealand Rail Limited:
- (d) Works Civil Construction Limited:
- (e) Powermark New Zealand Limited:
- (f) The New Zealand Defence Force.
(2) Where, immediately before the commencement of this section, employees of any person to whom this section applies, or any class of employees of any such person, were entitled, pursuant to any of the provisions specified in subsection (4) of this section, to do any work that, after the commencement of this section, may (except where any of sections 109 to 112 of this Act applies) lawfully be done by those employees or members of that class only if those employees or members are authorised under section 108 of this Act or under an employer licence to do the work, then, for the period of 2 years beginning on the date of the commencement of this section, such employees or, as the case may be, such class of employees may, notwithstanding anything in section 108 of this Act, but subject to any regulations made under section 169 of this Act, continue to do that work to the extent that those employees or, as the case may be, that class of employees were entitled to do so under any such provision so specified.

(3) Notwithstanding anything in section 101 of this Act, no person to whom this section applies shall, at any time within the period of 2 years beginning on the date of the commencement of this section, be granted an employer licence by or under which any employee of that person is or could be authorised to do, in respect of any works that are not owned by that person, any prescribed electrical work that could be done, pursuant to any authority conferred by subsection (2) of this section, by any employee of that person who is not a registered person, if the works were owned by that person.
(4) The provisions referred to in subsection (2) of this section are as follows:
- (a) Section 19(4) of the Electric Linemen Act 1959:
- (b) Regulation 44 of the Electrical Registration Regulations 1980 (SR 1980/225):
- (c) Section 4(4) of the Electricity Operators Act 1987.
(5) In this section, references to employees include, in relation to the New Zealand Defence Force, members of the Armed Forces of New Zealand.

114 Testing, certification, and inspection

(1) Where any prescribed electrical work is carried out, that work or, as the case may require, the works or electrical installation or electrical appliance in respect of which that work is carried out shall not be connected to a power supply unless such testing, certification, and inspection as is required by regulations made under section 169 of this Act has been carried out.

(2) No person shall sell, or offer for sale, any works or electrical installation or electrical appliance that has not been tested and certified in accordance with regulations made under section 169 of this Act.

(3) No person shall supply electricity to any works or electrical installation unless that person is satisfied that any inspection and certification required in respect of those works or that installation by regulations made under section 169 of this Act has been carried out.

(4) Nothing in this section prevents the connection, to any power supply, of any works, electrical installation, or electrical appliance, or the supply of electricity to any works or electrical installation, where that connection or supply is solely for the purposes of carrying out any testing, inspection, or certification required by any regulations made under section 169 of this Act.

Compare: 1979 No 139 ss 37, 38

115 Power of entry

(1) For the purpose of ensuring that the requirements of section 114 of this Act are complied with in relation to any prescribed electrical work, any person authorised by the Board for the purpose may, at any reasonable time, enter any premises (including a dwellinghouse) and—
- (a) Inspect and test any prescribed electrical work on those premises that is, or is intended to be, connected to a power supply:
- (b) Make such inquiries as are necessary to determine whether or not any prescribed electrical work on those premises has been properly certified or inspected.
(2) The power of entry conferred by subsection (1) of this section may be exercised whether or not there are any grounds to believe that any prescribed electrical work has not been properly carried out.

(3) Every person shall give reasonable notice of that person's intention to enter any premises pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to both the owner and the occupier of the premises.
(4) Every person shall, on entering any premises pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, and when requested at any subsequent time, produce to the person in charge of the premises—
- (a) Evidence of that person's authority to enter the premises; and
- (b) Evidence of that person's identity.
Compare: 1979 No 139 s 39

116 Power to require information

(1) Where any prescribed electrical work has been done on any premises, any person (being a registered electrical inspector or any other person authorised by or under this Act to inspect prescribed electrical work) may from time to time require any person who was the occupier of the premises at the time the work was done to furnish, within such reasonable period as the inspector or authorised person may specify, any information or particulars at that person's disposal that are relevant for the purpose of identifying the person who did the prescribed electrical work.
(2) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 who,—
- (a) Without reasonable excuse, refuses or fails to comply with any requirement made under subsection (1) of this section; or
- (b) Makes any statement knowing that it is both incorrect and material in any information or particulars furnished (whether in writing or not) under subsection (1) of this section.
(3) No person shall be excused from answering any question, or furnishing any information or particulars, when required to do so under subsection (1) of this section, on the ground that compliance with that requirement could or would tend to incriminate that person or subject that person to any penalty or forfeiture.

(4) No statement or disclosure furnished or made by any person in compliance or purported compliance with any requirement made under subsection (1) of this section shall be admissible against that person in any criminal or civil proceedings, other than proceedings for an offence against subsection (2)(b) of this section.

Part 11
Discipline

117 Persons to whom this Part applies

This Part of this Act applies to the following persons:
- (a) Registered persons:
- (b) Holders of a provisional licence:
- (c) Qualified engineers:
- (d) Trainees:
- (e) Tradespersons.
- (f) persons who are the subject of an order under section 125 or section 127.
Section 117(f) was inserted, as from 15 November 2000, by section 3 Electricity Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 61).

118 Disciplinary offence defined

(1) For the purposes of this Part of this Act, a person to whom this Part of this Act applies is guilty of a disciplinary offence if that person is found, in any proceedings under this Part of this Act, or in any appeal under Part 12 of this Act,—
- (a) To have carried out or caused to be carried out prescribed electrical work in a negligent, unsatisfactory, or incompetent manner, or in a manner contrary to any enactment relating to electrical supply or prescribed electrical work which was in force at the time the work was done; or
- (b) To have intentionally or negligently created a risk to life or limb, or to have caused a serious fire hazard, through having used or caused to be used faulty or improper fittings or having carried out or caused to be carried out any prescribed electrical work; or
- (c) To have intentionally deceived or attempted to deceive any electrical inspector by purposely concealing inferior work or inferior fittings used as part of any works or electrical installation, or by making any false or misleading statement (whether in writing or not) to any such inspector; or
- (d) To have neglected to furnish any return required under any enactment relating to prescribed electrical work or to have furnished a false return; or
- (e) To have employed, directed, or permitted any unauthorised person to do any prescribed electrical work; or
- (f) To have done prescribed electrical work that, under the terms of any restriction or limitation that applies in respect of the prescribed electrical work that he or she may do, the person is not authorised to do.
(2) A person to whom this Part of this Act applies is not guilty of a disciplinary offence in respect of anything that person may do or omit to do in any capacity other than that person's capacity as a person to whom this Part of this Act applies.

Compare: 1959 No 46 ss 18(1), 18A; 1975 No 14 s 2; 1979 No 139 ss 29(1)(c) to (i), 40 to 42

Subsection (1)(b) was amended, as from 27 September 2001, by section 3 Electricity Amendment Act (No 2) 2001 (2001 No 64) by adding the words “or having carried out or caused to be carried out any prescribed electrical work”.

119 Complaints

(1) Every person who wishes to complain to the Board about the conduct of a person to whom this Part of this Act applies shall make the complaint to the Registrar.

(2) Every complaint under this section shall be in writing.
(3) Where the Registrar has received any complaint under this section, the Registrar shall—
- (a) Forthwith inform the Secretary, who shall appoint a Complaints Assessment Committee in accordance with section 154 of this Act; and
- (b) Refer the complaint to that Complaints Assessment Committee.
Compare: 1982 No 32 s 30

120 Information to be given to person complained against

The Registrar shall ensure that the person in respect of whom a complaint has been made under section 119 of this Act is informed of the general nature of the complaint.

Compare: 1982 No 32 s 29(4)

121 Investigation of complaint

(1) The Committee may require that any complaint referred to it under section 119 of this Act be supported by such statutory declaration as it thinks fit.

(2) On the referral to it of a complaint under section 119 of this Act, the Committee shall determine whether or not in its opinion the complaint should be considered by the Board, and shall report its findings to the Board.
(3) Before the Committee makes a determination under subsection (2) that the complaint should be considered by the Board, the Committee or the Secretary—
- (a) Shall send particulars of the complaint to the person complained against; and
- (b) Shall give the person a reasonable opportunity—
  - (i) To appear before the Committee to make an explanation in answer to the complaint; or
  - (ii) If the person prefers, to make a written explanation in answer to the complaint.
(4) The Registrar shall ensure that a copy of the Committee's report to the Board under subsection (2) of this section is sent to the person complained against and to the complainant.

Compare: 1982 No 32 s 31(1), (2)

Subsection (3) was amended, as from 15 November 2000, by section 4(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 61) by substituting the words “Before the Committee makes a determination under subsection (2) that the complaint should be considered by the Board, the Committee or the Secretary” for the words “Before the Committee makes a determination under subsection (2) of this section, the Committee”.

Subsection (3)(b)(i) was amended by section 4(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 61) by substituting the words “the Committee” for the word “it”.

122 Committee may recommend interim suspension or disqualification

The Committee may, in any report to the Board under section 121 of this Act in which it reports that in its opinion the complaint should be considered by the Board, recommend that the Board make an order under section 125 of this Act in respect of the person complained against pending the determination of disciplinary proceedings against that person.

123 Referral of complaint to Board

(1) Where the Committee reports, under section 121(2) of this Act, that in its opinion a complaint should be considered by the Board, the Board shall hold a hearing, in accordance with this Part of this Act, to determine whether or not it should exercise its disciplinary powers under section 127 of this Act.

(2) Where the Committee reports, under section 121(2) of this Act, that in its opinion a complaint should not be considered by the Board, the Registrar shall inform the complainant and the person complained against of that determination.

124 Notice of disciplinary proceedings

(1) Where, under section 123(1) of this Act, the Board is required to hold a hearing to determine whether or not it should exercise its disciplinary powers under section 127 of this Act in respect of any person, the Presiding Member of the Board shall cause to be served on the person concerned a notice—
- (a) Stating that the Committee has reason to believe that a ground exists entitling the Board to exercise its powers under section 127 of this Act; and
- (b) Containing such particulars as will clearly inform the person of the substance of the grounds believed to exist; and
- (c) Specifying a date, being not less than 20 working days after the date of service of the notice, on which the Board intends to hear the matter.
(2) The notice under subsection (1) of this section may require the person to whom the notice is addressed to notify the Board in writing, not later than the 10th working day after the date of service of the notice, whether or not the person intends to appear before the Board at the hearing of the matter.

(3) If the person fails to so notify that person's intention, that person shall, notwithstanding anything in section 134 or section 156 of this Act, be entitled to appear and be heard at the hearing of the matter only on such conditions as to payment of costs and expenses or otherwise as the Board thinks fit.

Compare: 1970 No 143 s 30(3); 1986 No 123 s 50(1) to (3)

125 Interim suspension or disqualification

(1) The Board may make an order under subsection (1A)—
- (a) at any time before or after a notice has been served on a person under section 124; and
- (b) if satisfied that it is necessary to do so having regard to the need to protect the safety of members of the public.
(1A) An order under this subsection is either—
- (a) an order suspending the registration of a registered person or the provisional licence of a holder of a provisional licence; or
- (b) an order disqualifying a person who is a qualified engineer or trainee or tradesperson from doing, or assisting in doing, prescribed electrical work that the person would otherwise be authorised to do or assist in doing in that person's capacity as a qualified engineer or trainee or tradesperson.
(1B) An order made under subsection (1A) continues in force until—
- (a) the Committee determines, under section 121(2), that the complaint should not be considered by the Board; or
- (b) the Board determines, under section 123(1), that it should not exercise its disciplinary powers under section 127; or
- (c) the Board does any of the things authorised by section 127.
(2) The Board may make an order under subsection (1A) of this section on the recommendation of the Committee under section 122 of this Act, or of its own motion.

(3) Notwithstanding anything in section 156 of this Act, the Board shall not be obliged to give any notice to a person that it intends to make an order under subsection (1A) of this section in respect of that person.
(4) Every order made under subsection (1A) of this section shall—
- (a) Be committed to writing; and
- (b) Contain a statement of the reasons on which it is based; and
- (c) Contain a clear statement of the person's right to apply to the Board for the revocation of the order; and
- (d) Be signed by the Presiding Member of the Board.
(5) A copy of an order made under subsection (1A) of this section shall be served by the Registrar on the person in respect of whom it is made.

Subsection (1) was substituted and subsections (1A) and (1B) were inserted, as from 15 November 2000, by section 5(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 61).

Subsections (2) to (5) were amended, as from 15 November 2000, by section 5(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 61) by substituting the expression “subsection (1A)” for the expression “subsection (1)” in each place it occurs.

126 Revocation of interim suspension or disqualification

(1) A person in respect of whom an order is made under section 125(1A) of this Act may at any time apply to the Board for the revocation of the order.

(2) An application under subsection (1) of this section shall be heard within 5 working days after it is received by the Board; and the Board may grant or refuse the application as it thinks fit.

(3) The Board may at any time, of its own motion, revoke an order made under section 125(1A) of this Act.

Section 126 was amended, as from 15 November 2000, by section 5(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 61) by substituting the expression “section 125(1A)” for the expression “section 125(1)” in each place where occurs.

127 Disciplinary powers of Board

(1) If the Board, after conducting a hearing in accordance with this Part of this Act, is satisfied that a person to whom this Part of this Act applies has been guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board may, subject to subsections (3) to (5) of this section, do any one of the things authorised by subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Where subsection (1) of this section applies, the Board may,—
- (a) In the case of a registered person, order that the name of the person be removed from any register:
- (b) In the case of a person who is the holder of a provisional licence, cancel that licence:
- (c) In the case of a registered person or the holder of a provisional licence, order that the registration or, as the case may be, the provisional licence of the person be suspended—
  - (i) For such period as the Board thinks fit; or
  - (ii) Until that person does any 1 or more of the following things:
    - (A) Passes any specified examination:
    - (B) Completes any specified period of training:
    - (C) Attends any specified course of instruction:
- (d) In the case of a registered person, order that the registration of the person be restricted, for such period as the Board thinks fit, in any 1 or more of the following ways:
  - (i) The person shall be limited to such work as the Board may specify, and in imposing such a limitation the Board may also impose limitations on the circumstances in which the person may do that work:
  - (ii) The person shall be limited to work only on approved premises:
  - (iii) The person shall be limited to work only in the employ of an approved employer:
- (e) In the case of a person who is a qualified engineer or a trainee or a tradesperson, order that the person be disqualified from doing or assisting in doing prescribed electrical work that the person would otherwise be authorised to do in that person's capacity as a qualified engineer or, as the case may be, a trainee or a tradesperson—
  - (i) Permanently, or for such period as the Board thinks fit; or
  - (ii) Until that person does any 1 or more of the following things:
    - (A) Passes any specified examination:
    - (B) Completes any specified period of training:
    - (C) Attends any specified course of instruction:
- (f) In the case of a person who is a qualified engineer or a trainee or a tradesperson, order that the authority conferred by this Act on that person in that capacity to do or assist in doing prescribed electrical work be restricted, for such period as the Board thinks fit, in any 1 or more of the following ways:
  - (i) The person shall be limited to such work as the Board may specify, and in imposing such a limitation the Board may also impose limitations on the circumstances in which the person may do that work:
  - (ii) The person shall be limited to work only on approved premises:
  - (iii) The person shall be limited to work only in the employ of an approved employer:
- (g) In the case of any person (other than a qualified engineer or a trainee or a tradesperson), order the person to pay a fine not exceeding $5,000:
- (h) Order that the person be censured:
- (i) Make no order under this subsection.
(3) Where,—
- (a) The Board makes an order under paragraph (c) or paragraph (d) or paragraph (h) of subsection (2) of this section; and
- (b) Instead of making such an order, the Board could have imposed a fine under paragraph (g) of that subsection,—
the Board may, in addition, impose a fine under paragraph (g) of that subsection.
(4) Where the Board is dealing with any matter that constitutes an offence for which the person has been convicted by a court, the Board shall not impose a fine pursuant to subsection (2)(g) or subsection (3) of this section.

(5) The Board shall not exercise any authority conferred by this section in respect of any offence committed by any person before the date of that person's registration or, as the case may be, the date on which that person's provisional licence was granted if at that date the Board was aware of that person's conviction in respect of that offence.

Compare: 1959 No 46 ss 18(1), 18A; 1975 No 14 s 2; 1979 No 139 ss 29(1)(c) to (i), 40 to 42

128 Costs and expenses

In any case to which section 127 of this Act applies, the Board may order the person concerned to pay, to the Board, such sum as it considers just and reasonable towards the costs and expenses of and incidental to—
- (a) The proceedings of the Committee in relation to the complaint:
- (b) The hearing by the Board.

129 Enforcement of fines, etc

Every fine imposed pursuant to section 127 of this Act, and any sum payable to the Board under section 128 of this Act, shall be recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Board.

130 Suspension or disqualification to take effect immediately

An order under section 125 or paragraph (c) or paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of section 127 of this Act shall take effect on the day of the making of the order; but that fact shall not render the person concerned liable to prosecution or disciplinary proceedings in respect of any act done or omitted during any part of that day before the order was made.

131 Effect of suspension or disqualification

(1) While any order under section 125 or section 127 of this Act suspending the registration or the provisional licence of a person remains in force, the person in respect of whom the order is made shall be deemed for the purposes of Parts 10 and 14 of this Act not to be registered or, as the case may be, the holder of a provisional licence; but forthwith on the expiry of the order, that person's rights and privileges as a registered person or, as the case may be, the holder of a provisional licence shall be revived as from the date of the expiry.

(2) While an order under section 125 or section 127 of this Act disqualifying a qualified engineer or a trainee or a tradesperson from doing or assisting in doing prescribed electrical work remains in force, the person in respect of whom the order is made shall be deemed, for the purposes of Parts 10 and 14 of this Act, not to be a qualified engineer or, as the case may be, a trainee or a tradesperson; but forthwith on the expiry of the order, that person's rights and privileges as a qualified person or, as the case may be, a trainee or a tradesperson shall be revived as from the date of the expiry.

Compare: 1979 No 139 ss 40(3), (4), 41(2)

132 Board may fix date after which person may apply for restoration to register

In any order under section 127 of this Act directing the name of any person to be removed from any register, or in any subsequent order of the Board, the Board may fix a time after which the person whose name is so removed may apply to have his or her name restored to the register.

133 Application for restoration to register

(1) Subject to section 132 of this Act, any person whose name has been removed from any register pursuant to an order made under section 127 of this Act may apply to the Board for the restoration of that person's name to the register; and all the provisions of Part 9 of this Act relating to an application for registration shall apply in respect of that application.

(2) On hearing any application under subsection (1) of this section, the Board may order that the name of the applicant be restored to the register.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2) of this section, the Board may make an order under that subsection unconditionally, or may order that the person may, for such period as the Board may specify, do prescribed electrical work only subject to such conditions as to employment, supervision, or otherwise as the Board may specify in the order.

(4) If any application under this section is refused by the Board, no further application under this section shall be made by the applicant until the expiration of 1 year after the date of the refusal.

Procedure

134 Right of audience

At any proceedings held by the Board under this Part of this Act, the person to whom the proceedings relate is entitled to appear and be heard, either personally or by his or her representative.

135 Evidence

In all proceedings under this Part of this Act, the Board may, subject to section 156 of this Act, receive as evidence any statement, document, information, or matter that may in its opinion assist it to deal effectively with the matter before it, whether or not it would be admissible as evidence in a court of law.

Compare: 1986 No 123 s 50(5)

136 Board to have powers of commission of inquiry

(1) The Board shall, for the purposes of any hearing under this Part of this Act, have the same powers as are conferred on commissions of inquiry by section 4 and sections 4B to 9 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908.

(2) Section 4 and sections 4B to 9 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908 shall apply to all persons involved in any capacity in any hearing held by the Board under this Part of this Act as if it were an inquiry conducted by a commission of inquiry under that Act.

Compare: 1970 No 143 s 52; 1986 No 123 s 52(1), (2)

137 Orders to be committed to writing

(1) Every order of the Board under section 127 or section 133 of this Act shall—
- (a) Be committed to writing; and
- (b) Contain a statement of the reasons on which it is based; and
- (c) Contain a clear statement of the person's right to appeal against the order, and the time within which notice of such appeal must be given; and
- (d) Be signed by the Presiding Member.
(2) A copy of every order of the Board under section 127 or section 133 of this Act shall be served by the Registrar on the person in respect of whom it is made, and shall take effect from the day on which service is effected, or such later date as may be specified in the order.
(3) The Registrar must ensure that a copy of any order made under section 127 is given, as soon as practicable, to—
- (a) The Complaints Assessment Committee that considered the complaint; and
- (b) The complainant (if any).
(4) The Registrar must, if the Board so directs, give a copy of any order made under section 127 to the owner and occupier of the premises to which the complaint relates.

Compare: 1970 No 143 s 31(4), (7); 1986 No 123 s 50(11) to (13)

Subsections (3) and (4) were inserted, as from 28 July 1997, by section 5 Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42).

138 Surrender of certificates or licences

(1) Any person whose name is removed from any register under section 127 of this Act, or whose registration is suspended under that section, or whose provisional licence is cancelled or suspended under that section, shall, within 10 working days after the date on which written notice of the removal or suspension or cancellation has been given to that person, deliver to the Registrar every current certificate or licence that has been issued to that person under Part 9 of this Act and has not been delivered before that date.

(2) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $500 who intentionally fails to comply with subsection (1) of this section.

139 Publication of orders

Subject to any order of any court, where—
- (a) Any decision or order has been made by the Board under section 125 or section 127 or section 133 of this Act in respect of any person, and in any such case no appeal has been brought in respect of that decision or order within the time permitted by Part 12 of this Act; or
- (b) An order has been made under Part 12 of this Act by any court in respect of any person,—
the Registrar shall, if the Board in its discretion so directs, cause a notice stating the effect of the decision or order, and (unless the Board directs otherwise) the name of the person in respect of whom the order was made, to be published in the Gazette and such other publications as may be directed by the Board.
Compare: 1977 No 53 s 48A; 1983 No 147 s 12

Part 12
Appeals

140 Appeals

(1) Any person who is dissatisfied with the whole or any part of—
- (a) Any decision of the Board relating to an application by that person for registration or for a provisional licence; or
- (b) Any direction of the Board under section 86 of this Act relating to that person's registration; or
- (c) Any order of the Board under section 90 of this Act directing the removal of that person's name from any register or cancelling that person's provisional licence; or
- (d) Any decision of the Board relating to an application under section 94 or section 133 of this Act for the restoration of that person's name to the register; or
- (e) Any decision of the Board under section 79(4) or section 81 or section 97 or section 126(2) or section 132 of this Act relating to that person; or
- (f) Any order of the Board under section 124(3) or section 125 or section 127 of this Act relating to that person; or
- (g) Any decision of the Registrar under section 99 of this Act relating to that person; or
- (h) Any order made under section 153 of this Act in respect of that person, or the refusal of the Board to make any such order,—
may appeal to a District Court against the decision, direction, or order, as the case may be.
(2) Any person who is dissatisfied with the whole or any part of any decision of the Secretary under section 101 or section 102 or section 103 or section 104 of this Act relating to that person may appeal to a District Court against the decision.

Compare: 1959 No 46 s 21; 1979 No 139 s 43

Subsection (1)(f) was amended, as from 15 November 2000, by section 6 Electricity Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 61) by inserting the expression “or section 125” after the expression “section 124(3)”.

141 Time for lodging appeal

An appeal under section 140 of this Act shall be brought within 20 working days after notice of the decision, direction, or order was communicated to the appellant, or within such further time as a District Court may allow on application made before or after the expiration of that period.

142 Procedure on appeal

(1) Every appeal under section 140 of this Act shall be heard as soon as practicable after the appeal is lodged.

(2) On the hearing of an appeal under section 140 of this Act, the District Court may confirm, reverse, or modify the decision, direction, or order of the Board or, as the case may require, the Registrar or the Secretary, or may give any decision, or make any direction or order, that the Board or, as the case may require, the Registrar or the Secretary could have given or made in respect of the matter.

(3) Nothing in this section gives a District Court power to review any part of the decision, direction, or order of the Board or the Registrar or the Secretary other than the part against which the appellant has appealed.

(4) Subject to section 147 of this Act, the decision of a District Court on any appeal under section 140 of this Act shall be final.

Compare: 1959 No 46 s 21(3); 1975 No 14 s 3(2); 1979 No 139 s 43(2)

143 Court may refer appeals back for reconsideration

(1) A District Court may in any case, instead of determining any appeal under section 140 of this Act, direct the Board or, as the case may require, the Registrar or the Secretary to reconsider, either generally or in respect of any specified matters, the whole or any part of the matter to which the appeal relates.
(2) In giving any direction under subsection (1) of this section, the District Court shall—
- (a) Advise the Board or, as the case may require, the Registrar or the Secretary of its reasons for so doing; and
- (b) Give to the Board or, as the case may require, the Registrar or the Secretary such directions as it thinks just as to the whole or any part of the matter that is referred back for reconsideration.
(3) In reconsidering any matter referred back to him or her or it pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the Board or, as the case may require, the Registrar or the Secretary shall have regard to the District Court's reasons for giving a direction under that subsection, and to the Court's directions under subsection (2) of this section.

144 Costs

(1) On any appeal under section 140(1) of this Act, a District Court may make an order for the payment, by the Board or the Registrar or the appellant, of the costs incurred in respect of the appeal by the other party to the appeal.

(2) On any appeal under section 140(2) of this Act, a District Court may make an order for the payment, by the Secretary or the appellant, of the costs incurred in respect of the appeal by the other party to the appeal.

Compare: 1970 No 143 s 51(5); 1973 No 85 s 3

145 Power of Court to prohibit publication of person's name or affairs

(1) On any appeal under section 140(1) of this Act, a District Court may, if in the Court's opinion it is proper to do so having regard to the interests of any person and to the public interest, make an order prohibiting the publication of the name or particulars of the affairs of any person.

(2) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 who commits a breach of any order made under subsection (1) of this section or evades or attempts to evade any such order.

Compare: 1982 No 123 s 133

146 Decision to continue in force pending appeal

Subject to any order of the Court, every decision, direction, or order of the Board or the Registrar or the Secretary against which an appeal is lodged under section 140 of this Act shall continue in force and have effect according to its tenor pending the determination of the appeal.

Compare: 1970 No 143 s 31(7)

147 Appeal on question of law

(1) Where, in respect of any appeal under section 140(1) of this Act, the Board or the Registrar or the appellant is dissatisfied with any decision of the District Court as being erroneous in point of law, the Board or the Registrar or the appellant may appeal to the High Court by way of case stated for the opinion of that Court on the question of law only.

(2) Where, in respect of any appeal under section 140(2) of this Act, the Secretary or the appellant is dissatisfied with any decision of the District Court as being erroneous in point of law, the Secretary or the appellant may appeal to the High Court by way of case stated for the opinion of that Court on the question of law only.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, every appeal under this section shall be heard and determined in accordance with rules of Court.

(4) The provisions of Part 4 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957 (including the other provisions of that Act which are applied in that Part), so far as they relate to appeals by way of case stated on questions of law only, shall apply, so far as they are applicable and with all necessary modifications, to every appeal under this section.

Compare: 1979 No 139 s 44

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

147G Board must hold hearing if investigator reports that complaint should be considered by Board

147H Notice of disciplinary proceedings

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

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

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

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

(1) There is hereby established a board called the Electrical Workers Registration Board.

(2) The Board shall have all such powers as are reasonably necessary or expedient to enable the Board to carry out its functions.

Compare: 1959 No 46 s 3(1); 1979 No 139 s 4(1)

149 Functions

The functions of the Board shall be—
- (a) To conduct or provide for the conduct of examinations under Part 9 of this Act, to appoint examiners and make all other necessary arrangements, and, where necessary, to issue certificates to persons who have passed any such examinations:
- (b) To receive applications for or relating to registration under Part 9 of this Act, and to authorise registration in proper cases:
- (c) To receive applications for the issue of provisional licences, and to grant such licences in proper cases:
- (d) To ensure that registered persons maintain an adequate level of competence in the field of work in respect of which they are registered:
- (e) To exercise disciplinary powers in accordance with Part 11 of this Act:
- (f) To institute prosecutions for contraventions of this Act in such cases as the Board considers appropriate:
- (g) To consider such reports as are referred to the Board by the Secretary in respect of accidents to which section 16 of this Act applies, and to take such action in relation to such reports as the Board thinks fit:
- (h) To exercise and perform such other functions, duties, and powers as are conferred or imposed on the Board by or under this Act or by or under any other enactment:
- (i) To do such other things as may, in the Board's opinion, be necessary for the effective administration of this Act.
Compare: 1959 No 46 s 9; 1979 No 139 s 10

150 Membership

(1) The Board shall consist of—
- (a) Five persons who are registered or entitled to be registered under Part 9 of this Act; and
- (b) Two persons who are not registered or entitled to be registered under Part 9 of this Act.
(2) The members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister.

(3) No member of a Committee is eligible to hold office as a member of the Board.

(4) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, any person appointed as a member of the Board may hold that office concurrently with any other office.
(5) In respect of the period beginning on the date of the commencement of this section and ending with the close of the 31st day of March 1993, subsection (1) of this section shall be read as if, for paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection, there were substituted the following paragraphs:
- “(a) Five persons (being persons who are registered or licensed under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 or who are the holders of a certificate of competency as an electric lineman under the Electric Linemen Act 1959):
- “(b) Two persons (being persons who are not so registered or licensed and who are not the holders of such a certificate).”
Compare: 1959 No 46 s 3(2), (3); 1979 No 139 s 4(2)

151 Registrar

(1) There shall be a Registrar of the Board, who shall be appointed under the State Sector Act 1988 by the Secretary.

(2) The office of Registrar may be held concurrently with any other office.

Compare: 1959 No 46 s 8; 1979 No 139 s 12

152 Delegation of functions and powers

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the Board may from time to time delegate any of its functions and powers to the Registrar.
(2) No delegation under this section shall include—
- (a) The power to delegate under this section:
- (b) Any function or power conferred or imposed on the Board by or under Part 11 of this Act.
(3) Subject to any general or special directions given or conditions imposed by the Board, the Registrar may, without confirmation by the Board, exercise or perform the delegated powers or functions in the same manner and with the same effect as the Board could itself have exercised or performed them.

(4) Where the Registrar purports to act pursuant to any such delegation, he or she shall be presumed to be acting in accordance with the terms of the delegation in the absence of proof to the contrary.

(5) Every such delegation shall be revocable at will, and no such delegation shall prevent the exercise or performance of any power or function by the Board.

Compare: 1979 No 139 s 13

153 Meetings to be held in public

(1) Except as provided in this section, every meeting of the Board shall be in public.

(2) The Board may deliberate in private as to its decision in any matter or as to any question arising in the course of any proceedings before it.
(3) If the Board is of the opinion that it is proper to do so, having regard to the interests of any person and to the public interest, it may, of its own motion or on the application of any party to the proceedings,—
- (a) Order that the whole or any part of a hearing shall be held in private:
- (b) Make an order prohibiting the publication of any report or account of any part of any proceedings before it, whether held in public or in private:
- (c) Make an order prohibiting the publication of the whole or any part of any documents produced at any hearing:
- (d) Make an order prohibiting the publication of the name or any particulars of the affairs of—
  - (i) Any person who is the subject of proceedings before it:
  - (ii) Any other person.
(4) Every application to the Board under subsection (3) of this section shall be heard in private, but the other parties to the proceedings shall be entitled to be present and to make submissions with regard to the application.

(5) In any case where a hearing of the Board is held in private, the Board may allow any particular person to attend the private hearing if it is satisfied that the person has a special and proper interest in the matter to be heard.

(6) Unless reversed or modified in respect of its currency by the Court on an appeal under section 140 of this Act, an order made under any of paragraphs (b) to (d) of subsection (3) of this section shall continue in force until such time as may be specified in the order, or, if no time is specified, until the Board, in its discretion, revokes it on the application of any party to the proceedings in which the order was made.

(7) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 who, without lawful excuse, acts in contravention of any order made by the Board under any of paragraphs (b) to (d) of subsection (3) of this section.

Complaints Assessment Committees

154 Complaints Assessment Committees

(1) The Secretary shall, from time to time as required by section 119 of this Act, appoint, in relation to a particular case, not fewer than 4 persons to be a Complaints Assessment Committee.

(2) The members of a Complaints Assessment Committee shall be appointed from persons whose names appear on the list maintained under section 155 of this Act.

(3) A Complaints Assessment Committee shall include at least 1 person who is not a member of any of the classes of persons specified in section 117 of this Act.

(4) The Secretary shall appoint 1 of the members of each Complaints Assessment Committee to be the Presiding Member of that Committee.

(5) The Secretary may at any time revoke any appointment made under this section or reconstitute any Committee appointed under this section.

155 Secretary to maintain list

(1) The Secretary shall maintain a list of persons who may be appointed pursuant to section 154 of this Act.

(2) The only names that may be entered on the list shall be persons who are approved for the purpose by the Minister.
(3) Where the name of any person has been so entered on the list, it shall remain on the list until—
- (a) The person dies; or
- (b) The Minister directs that the name of that person be removed for inability to perform the functions of the office, bankruptcy, neglect of duty, or misconduct, proved to the satisfaction of the Minister; or
- (c) The expiration of a period of 5 years from the date on which the Minister last approved the entry of that person's name; or
- (d) The person, by notice in writing to the Secretary, requests that his or her name be removed from the list,—
whichever occurs first.
(4) No member of the Board shall be qualified to have that member's name entered or retained on the list.

Compare: 1972 No 31 s 35(3) to (5)

Subsection (3)(b) was amended, as from 1 January 2002, by section 70(1) Human Rights Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 96), by substituting the words “inability to perform the functions of the office” for the word “disability”.

General provisions

156 Rules of natural justice to be observed

In carrying out their functions and duties under this Act, the Board and every Committee shall observe the rules of natural justice.

156A Power to amend or revoke

156B Notice and service of documents by Board, member, Registrar, or investigator

157 Further provisions applying to Board and Committees

The provisions set out in Schedule 2 to this Act shall, except where they otherwise provide, apply in respect of both the Board and every Committee.

158 Review of operation of Act

(1) As soon as practicable after the expiry of the period of 3 years beginning on the commencement of this section, and then at intervals of not more than 5 years, the Board shall—
- (a) Review the operation of this Act (other than Parts 2 to 8) since—
  - (i) The date of the commencement of this section (in the case of the first review carried out under this paragraph); or
  - (ii) The date of the last review carried out under this paragraph (in the case of every subsequent review); and
- (b) Consider whether any amendments to this Act (other than Parts 2 to 8) are necessary or desirable; and
- (c) Report the Board's findings to the Minister.
(2) As soon as practicable after receiving a report from the Board under subsection (1)(c) of this section, the Minister shall lay a copy of that report before the House of Representatives.

Part 14
Miscellaneous provisions

Subpart 1—General electricity matters

Financial statements of customer and community trusts

This heading was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 13(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40).

158A Community and customer trusts to prepare audited financial statements

The trustees of a community trust and the trustees of a customer trust must, within 4 months after the end of each financial year of the trust,—
- (a) prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice (within the meaning of section 3 of the Financial Reporting Act 1993, applied as if trusts were reporting entities) with respect to the affairs of the trust for that financial year; and
- (b) submit those financial statements to an auditor for audit; and
- (c) make available to the public in accordance with section 158B those audited financial statements and the auditor's report on those financial statements.
Sections 158A to 158F were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 13(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

158B Publication of audited financial statements

(1) The trustees of a community trust and the trustees of a customer trust must make the documents referred to in section 158A(c) available to the public by making copies of them available—
- (a) for inspection at every office of the trust or at any other place specified in the notification under subsection (2) (during ordinary office hours) free of charge; and
- (b) for purchase at a reasonable price.
(2) The trustees must also notify the fact that copies are so available (and where) by advertisement in the news section of 2 separate editions of each newspaper that is widely read by customers of the customer trust or by persons in the community of the community trust (as the case requires).

Sections 158A to 158F were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 13(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

158C Auditor of trusts

(1) The trustees of a community trust or a customer trust must, in each financial year, hold an annual meeting of beneficiaries at which the beneficiaries appoint an auditor to hold office from the conclusion of that meeting until the conclusion of the next annual meeting of beneficiaries.

(2) The trustees of a community trust or a customer trust may fill any casual vacancy in the office of auditor by appointing an auditor to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual meeting of beneficiaries (but, while the vacancy remains, the surviving or continuing auditor, if any, may continue to act as auditor).
(3) The fees and expenses of the auditor must be fixed—
- (a) at the annual meeting of beneficiaries or in the way the beneficiaries determine at the meeting, if appointed at the annual meeting:
- (b) by the trustees, if appointed by the trustees.
(4) An auditor of a community trust or customer trust—
- (a) must be a person who is qualified to act as an auditor under section 199(1) of the Companies Act 1993 and, in selecting an auditor, the beneficiaries may seek the advice of the Auditor-General:
- (b) must not be a trustee, director, employee, or agent of the trust or of any electricity company owned by the trust or otherwise disqualified from being an auditor under section 199(2)(b) and (d) of the Companies Act 1993.
(5) In addition, sections 198, 200, and 202 to 207 of the Companies Act 1993 apply in relation to the auditor.

(6) These sections of the Companies Act 1993 apply as if references to a company were to a trust, references to a director were to a trustee, references to a board were to the trustees, references to shareholders were to beneficiaries, references to a subsidiary were to an electricity company owned by the trust and that company's subsidiaries, and all other necessary modifications were made.

(7) In this section, electricity company has the meaning set out in section 3(1) of the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998.

Sections 158A to 158F were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 13(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See 13(2) of that Act, which states that sections 158C to 158E apply to a community trust or customer trust for a financial year that begins no sooner than 8 February 2002, and for subsequent financial years. See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

158D Procedures for annual meeting to appoint auditor

(1) The trustees must give no less than 14 days' notice of the annual meeting of beneficiaries to appoint an auditor in the news section of 2 separate editions of each newspaper that is widely read by customers of the customer trust or by persons in the community of the community trust (as the case requires).

(2) Every beneficiary has 1 vote.

(3) The quorum for the annual meeting is 20 beneficiaries.

(4) No business may be transacted at the annual meeting if a quorum is not present.

(5) The regulations under section 172C (if any) may govern proceedings at the annual meeting.

Sections 158A to 158F were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 13(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See 13(2) of that Act, which states that sections 158C to 158E apply to a community trust or customer trust for a financial year that begins no sooner than 8 February 2002, and for subsequent financial years. See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

158E Auditor-General to be auditor if no other auditor appointed

(1) If no auditor is appointed in accordance with section 158C(1) or a casual vacancy in the office of auditor is not filled within 1 month of the vacancy occurring in accordance with section 158C(2), the Auditor-General must be the auditor of a community trust or customer trust.

(2) The trustees of a community trust or customer trust must, within 5 working days of subsection (1) becoming applicable, give written notice to the Auditor-General of this fact.

(3) If this section applies, the sections and Parts of the Public Audit Act 2001 listed in section 19 of that Act apply to the trust, until an auditor is appointed at an annual meeting of beneficiaries, as if references in those sections to a public entity were references to the trust and with any other necessary modifications.

Sections 158A to 158F were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 13(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See 13(2) of that Act, which states that sections 158C to 158E apply to a community trust or customer trust for a financial year that begins no sooner than 8 February 2002, and for subsequent financial years. See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

158F Application of sections 158A to 158E

(1) The trustees of a community trust and the trustees of a customer trust must comply with sections 158A and 158B, rather than section 46A of the Energy Companies Act 1992.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (1), nothing in sections 158A to 158E limits any other enactment or rule of law concerning the maintenance and auditing of the financial statements of a person.

Sections 158A to 158F were inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 13(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Complaints resolution system

This heading was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 5 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

158G Complaints resolution system

(1) Every electricity distributor and every electricity retailer must participate in a complaints resolution system that is approved by the Commission for the purpose of addressing complaints by any person (including potential consumers and owners and occupiers of land) relating to electricity retailers and electricity distributors.

(2) This section applies provided the Commission has approved 1 or more complaints resolution system by notice in the Gazette.

Section 158G was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 5 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Powers of entry

159 Conditions relating to power to enter land or premises

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section and to sections 31 and 115 of this Act, but notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any provision in this Act or in any regulations made under section 169 of this Act giving any person the power to enter any land or premises without the consent of the owner or occupier shall be subject to the following conditions:
- (a) Entry to the land or premises shall only be made by the person specified in the relevant provision or any other person that the person so specified authorises in writing, either specifically or as a member of a class so authorised:
- (b) Reasonable notice of the intention to enter shall be given unless the giving of the notice would defeat the purpose of the entry:
- (c) Entry shall be made at reasonable times:
- (d) The person entering shall carry a warrant of authority or be working under the immediate control of a person holding such authority, which shall be produced on intitial entry and, if requested, at any subsequent time:
- (e) Entry into a dwellinghouse shall be authorised by a warrant from a District Court Judge or Justice, or Community Magistrate or any Court Registrar (not being a constable), by written application on oath.
(2) The conditions specified in subsection (1) of this section shall not apply where the entry is necessary in circumstances of probable danger to life or property or where entry is necessary to maintain the continuity or safety of the supply and distribution of electricity.

(3) Nothing in this section shall restrict rights of access in order to obtain consent to enter the land or premises for the authorised purposes in respect of which entry is required.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no provision in this Act or in any regulations made under section 169 of this Act giving any person the power to enter any land or premises without the consent of the owner or occupier shall authorise any person to enter or search any restricted area within a defence area (within the meaning of the Defence Act 1990) unless the person entering that area has a security clearance approved by the person in charge of the area.

Compare: 1968 No 125 s 15A; 1983 No 123 s 4; 1987 No 111 s 5

Subsection (1)(e) was amended, as from 30 June 1998, by section 7 District Courts Amendment Act 1998 (1998 No 76) by inserting the words “or Community Magistrate”.

Offences

160 Offences relating to registration

(1) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who, for the purpose of obtaining (either for himself or herself or itself or for any other person) any certificate of registration or provisional licence or practising licence or employer licence under Part 9 of this Act,—
- (a) Either orally or in writing, makes any declaration or representation that to that person's knowledge is false or misleading in a material particular; or
- (b) Produces to the Board or the Registrar or the Secretary, or makes use of, any document knowing it to contain any such declaration or representation; or
- (c) Produces to the Board or the Registrar or the Secretary, or makes use of, any document knowing that it is not genuine.
(2) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who,—
- (a) Not being registered or licensed under Part 9 of this Act,—
  - (i) Does any act; or
  - (ii) Uses or causes or permits to be used in connection with any business or trade or calling any written words, titles, or initials, or any abbreviation of any words, titles, or initials, or any signs or symbols,—
  that is or are intended to cause or may reasonably cause any other person to believe that the person is so registered or licensed; or
- (b) Not being registered or licensed under Part 9 of this Act, in any way holds himself or herself or itself out as being so registered or licensed; or
- (c) Knowing that some other person is not registered or licensed under Part 9 of this Act, and with intent to deceive, makes any statement or does any act calculated to suggest that such other person is so registered or licensed; or
- (d) With intent to deceive, makes use of any certificate of registration, or any provisional licence, or any employer licence, or any practising licence, issued to that person or any other person under Part 9 of this Act; or
- (e) Allows a certificate of registration or a provisional licence or an employer licence or a practising licence to be used by any other person for the purpose of enabling that other person to do any prescribed electrical work in contravention of Part 10 of this Act.
Compare: 1959 No 46 s 22(1)(a), (b), (2)(b); 1979 No 139 ss 46, 47(1)(a), (b), (2)(c)

161 Offence to engage in prescribed electrical work without practising licence

Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 who does any prescribed electrical work in contravention of section 95 of this Act.

162 Offence to contravene condition of employer licence

Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who, being the holder of an employer licence, acts in contravention of, or fails to comply with, any condition of that licence.

163 Other offences

(1) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who—
- (a) Intentionally or negligently does or causes or permits to be done any work on any works or electrical installation or electrical appliance in a manner which is dangerous to life; or
- (b) Does prescribed electrical work, or causes any such work to be done, contrary to Part 10 of this Act; or
- (c) Employs or permits or pays any person to do any prescribed electrical work, contrary to Part 10 of this Act; or
- (d) Employs or permits any person registered or licensed or authorised in accordance with Part 9 of this Act to do any prescribed electrical work that the person is not entitled to do by virtue of the registration or licence or authority; or
- (e) Being a person registered or licensed or authorised in accordance with Part 9 of this Act, does any prescribed electrical work that the person is not entitled under Part 10 of this Act to do; or
- (f) Intentionally obstructs any person in the performance of any duty or in doing any work that the person has lawful authority to do under Part 3 of this Act; or
- (g) Intentionally hinders or obstructs any authorised person in the exercise of any powers conferred by or under section 105 or section 115 of this Act or any regulations made under section 169 of this Act.
(2) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and to a further fine of $200 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues who, being in possession of any certificate or any licence issued or valid under Part 9 of this Act, fails or refuses to surrender it to the Board or the Secretary on demand by the Registrar or the Secretary in writing.

(3) No information shall be laid under subsection (1)(c) of this section by any person other than the Registrar or a person authorised in writing in that behalf by the Board.

Compare: 1959 No 46 s 22(1)(c) to (d), (2), (3)(a), (4); 1979 No 139 ss 45, 47(1)(c) to (e), (2)(a), (b), (d), (3); 1982 No 52 s 4

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

(1) If a body corporate is convicted of an offence against any provision of this Act or against any regulations made under section 169 of this Act, every director and every person concerned in the management of the body corporate is himself or herself guilty of the offence if it is proved that the act constituting the offence took place with that person's knowledge, authority, permission, or consent.

(2) Every person who is guilty of an offence pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding that imposed on the body corporate.

Compare: 1970 No 143 s 53(3)

165 Time for laying information

Notwithstanding section 14 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957, an information for an offence against any provision of this Act or against any regulations made under section 169 of this Act may be laid at any time within 3 years after the time when the matter of the information arose.

Compare: 1979 No 139 s 49

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

(1) All fees and other money payable under this Act to the Board shall be paid to the Registrar, who shall forthwith pay it into such bank account as the Board determines.

(2) Where any fee is payable to the Board under this Act in respect of any matter, until the fee is paid to the Registrar the Registrar may decline to do any act, or to permit any act to be done, or to receive any document, in respect of which the fee is payable.

Compare: 1959 No 46 s 24; 1979 No 139 s 50; 1989 No 44 s 86(1)

167 Certificate by Registrar or Secretary to be evidence of registration, etc

(1) A certificate purporting to be signed by the Registrar—
- (a) To the effect that, at any time or during any period specified in the certificate, any person was or was not registered under Part 9 of this Act, or was or was not the holder of a provisional licence or a practising licence; or
- (b) As to any entry in any register, or the absence from any register of any entry; or
- (c) To the effect that any person has failed or refused to surrender any certificate or licence on demand by the Registrar in writing; or
- (d) As to any act or proceeding of the Board or a Committee—
shall, until the contrary is proved, and without proof of the signature appended to the certificate, be sufficient evidence of the matters specified in the certificate.
(2) A certificate purporting to be signed by the Secretary—
- (a) To the effect that, at any time or during any period specified in the certificate, any person was or was not the holder of an employer licence; or
- (b) To the effect that any person has failed or refused to surrender any licence on demand by the Secretary in writing—
shall, until the contrary is proved, and without proof of the signature appended to the certificate, be sufficient evidence of the matters specified in the certificate.
Compare: 1979 No 139 s 31

168 Notices in relation to Maori land

(1) Where a notice or other document is to be given to the owner of land for the purposes of this Act, then, in the case of Maori land, the notice or other document may be served on the Registrar of the Maori Land Court in accordance with Part 9 of the Maori Affairs Amendment Act 1974, and the provisions of that Part shall apply accordingly.

(2) In this section, the term Maori land has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Maori Affairs Act 1953.

Regulations—General

169 Regulations

(1) The Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
- Electrical Safety and Related Matters
- (1) Providing for the removal of any works constructed or used contrary to the provisions of this Act or any regulations made under this section, and for the removal or alteration of any dangerous works, at the expense in all cases of the owner of the works:
- (2) Securing the protection of persons and property from injury or damage caused through electricity, either directly or indirectly, by—
  - (a) Authorising, controlling, and prescribing conditions in respect of the design, construction, installation, maintenance, use, management, inspection, and testing of works, electrical installations, or associated equipment:
  - (b) Authorising, controlling, and prescribing conditions in respect of the design, installation, manufacture, maintenance, use, inspection, importation, exportation from New Zealand pursuant to the Conformity Cooperation Agreement, sale, and testing of fittings and electrical appliances used or intended to be used in the application of electricity (including fittings and electrical appliances intended to be used in China after their exportation from New Zealand pursuant to the Conformity Cooperation Agreement):
  - (c) Prohibiting, or providing for the prohibition of, the manufacture, importation, exportation from New Zealand pursuant to the Conformity Cooperation Agreement, sale, and use of such fittings and electrical appliances as do not satisfy any prescribed tests, standards, or safety criteria (including fittings and electrical appliances intended to be used in China after their exportation from New Zealand pursuant to the Conformity Cooperation Agreement):
  - (d) Requiring such types or categories of fittings and electrical appliances as are specified in the regulations, or as are from time to time declared by the Secretary by public notice to be subject to the regulations, to be approved by the Secretary before being offered for sale in New Zealand; providing for the giving of such approval, for the specifying by the Secretary of conditions subject to which such approval may be given, for the variation or withdrawal of any such approval, and for the revocation, variation, or addition of any condition of any such approval; and prescribing circumstances in which types or categories of fittings and electrical appliances are deemed to be approved by the Secretary for the purposes of the regulations:
  - (e) Authorising, controlling, and prescribing conditions in respect of the design, manufacture, maintenance, use, inspection, and testing of electric fishing devices, including (without limitation)—
    - (i) Providing for the issue of certificates of competency to persons who wish to operate electric fishing devices; prescribing the persons or class or classes of persons who may issue such certificates or providing for the designation of such certifying authorities; providing for the specifying of conditions subject to which such certificates may be issued, and for the revocation, variation, and addition of any such condition; and providing for the suspension or cancellation of any such certificate:
    - (ii) Providing for the approval of electric fishing devices; prescribing the persons or class or classes of persons who may approve such devices or providing for the designation of such approving authorities; and providing for the specifying of conditions subject to which such approval may be given, for the variation or withdrawal of any such approval, and for the revocation, variation, and addition of any condition of any such approval:
    - (iii) Requiring electric fishing devices, or parts of electric fishing devices, or both, to carry marks enabling the ready identification of individual devices:
    - (iv) Requiring the operator of an electric fishing device to produce that person's certificate of competency, and the certificate of approval issued in respect of the device, and to supply to such person or class or classes of persons as are specified in the regulations such particulars relating to the identity of that operator (including that person's signature) as are prescribed in the regulations:
  - (f) Authorising, controlling, restricting, prescribing conditions in respect of, and, where necessary, prohibiting, the construction, installation, use, management, operation, maintenance, transportation, and movement of any structure, device, thing, or substance, whether fixed or movable and whether permanent or temporary, in the vicinity of any works or electrical installation where any works or electrical installation may affect or be affected by the structure, device, thing, or substance:
  - (g) Controlling the existence and location of the whole or any part of any tree or vegetation that is in the vicinity of, or may affect, any works or electrical installation, including (without limitation)—
    - (i) Requiring the removal of the whole or any part of any tree or vegetation:
    - (ii) Requiring the removal of any debris produced as a result of any work carried out pursuant to the regulations:
    - (iii) Prescribing the person or persons who shall meet the costs of carrying out any work required pursuant to the regulations, and providing for the recovery of such costs:
    - (iv) Providing for the payment of the costs of remedying any damage caused to any works by any tree or vegetation, or any part of any tree or vegetation, where that damage arises (whether directly or indirectly) out of any failure to comply with the requirements of the regulations; prescribing the person or persons who shall pay those costs; and providing for the recovery of those costs:
- (3) Requiring any person who intends to construct any works in the vicinity of, or that are likely to affect, any trees of any class of tree specified in the regulations,—
  - (a) In determining the route or location of the works, to have regard to the need to interfere with those trees to the least extent practicable in the circumstances:
  - (b) To notify such persons as are prescribed in the regulations of the intention to construct the works:
  - (c) To inform such persons as are prescribed in the regulations of the rights and obligations that will be conferred or imposed on those persons, by any regulations made under subparagraph (g) of paragraph (2) of this subsection, in relation to those trees, if the works are constructed:
  - (d) To consider any submissions made to that person by such persons as are prescribed in the regulations:
- (3A) prescribing requirements for safety management systems:
- (4) Prescribing standards that must be met in respect of fittings, electrical appliances, electrical installations, and electricity that are or is to be supplied to or used by electricity retailers and consumers:
- (5) Providing for the periodic examination of connectable installations of vehicles, relocatable buildings, and pleasure vessels, or any of them, and the issue of warrants of fitness by such persons or class or classes of persons as are prescribed or as are authorised by the Secretary; prescribing fees or maximum fees or authorising the charging of reasonable fees in respect of such examinations (and different fees may be prescribed or provided for in respect of different circumstances and different testing authorities); prescribing the persons to whom any fees are to be paid; and exempting specified vehicles, relocatable buildings, or pleasure vessels, or classes of vehicles, relocatable buildings, or pleasure vessels, from the provisions of the regulations:
- (6) Prescribing, in relation to workers,—
  - (a) The training required for any specified class or classes of workers for the purposes of establishing and maintaining safety standards in relation to the generation, conversion, transformation, conveyance, and use of electricity:
  - (b) The levels of electrical or technical qualifications necessary for the carrying out of any specified class or classes of electrical work or for the holding of positions of electrical responsibility in any branch of the electrical industry or in any specified undertakings concerned with the particular application of electricity:
    
    Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall authorise the making of any regulation in contradiction to the provisions of Parts 9 to 13 of this Act or any of the provisions of paragraphs (12) to (23) of this subsection:
- (7) Prescribing the requirements for standardisation of systems of supply and the preservation of the quality of electricity supplied in New Zealand:
- (7A) providing that fittings or electrical appliances that are, or may be, exported from New Zealand pursuant to the Conformity Cooperation Agreement must comply with requirements relating to the preservation of the quality of electricity supplied in China:
- (8) Authorising the Secretary—
  - (a) In cases of urgency, to issue, in such manner as may be prescribed, instructions, orders, or requirements for securing the protection of persons from injuries caused, directly or indirectly, by electricity:
    
    Provided that any such instruction, order, or requirement shall remain in force for such period, not exceeding 6 months, as may be determined by the Secretary or until its earlier revocation by the Secretary:
  - (aa) in cases of urgency, to issue, in such manner as may be prescribed, instructions, orders, or requirements for securing the protection of persons from injuries caused, directly or indirectly, by electricity to the extent that such injuries are caused by fittings or electrical appliances that are, or may be, exported pursuant to the Conformity Cooperation Agreement:
    
    Provided that any such instruction, order, or requirement must remain in force for such period, not exceeding 6 months, as may be determined by the Secretary or until its earlier revocation by the Secretary:
  - (b) [Repealed]
  - (c) To carry out tests on works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances, and associated equipment (including fittings or electrical appliances that are, or may be, exported from New Zealand pursuant to the Conformity Cooperation Agreement):
- (9) authorising the Secretary or the chief executive of the department of State responsible for the administration of the Building Act 2004, or both, to exempt specific works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances, associated equipment, persons, or things from requirements imposed by regulations made under paragraphs (1) to (7), subject to any conditions that the Secretary or, as the case may be, the chief executive thinks fit:
- (10) Providing for the constitution, functions, and powers of arbitrators for the purposes of this Act or any regulations made under this section:
- (11) Requiring the keeping and retention of such records as are necessary for the purposes of establishing and maintaining safety standards in relation to the generation, conversion, transformation, conveyance, and use of electricity, and prescribing the particulars that shall be included in such records:
- Registration and Employer Licences
- (12) Prescribing the nature and duration of the training and experience necessary before a person is entitled to be registered as an electrical service technician or an electrician or a line mechanic or an electrical inspector:
- (13) Prescribing the examinations (including examinations conducted by or under the direction of the Board) required to be passed for the purposes of sections 74(c), 75(c), 76(c), and 77(c) of this Act:
- (14) Prescribing the nature and duration of the training (being training in resuscitation, safe working practices, and testing) that must be completed before a person is entitled to be registered as an electrical service technician or an electrician or a line mechanic:
- (15) Prescribing the subject-matter of examinations to be conducted by or under the direction of the Board in the case of applicants, or of any class of applicants, for registration under Part 9 of this Act:
- (16) Prescribing the nature and duration of training or experience necessary before a candidate shall be entitled to sit for any examination under Part 9 of this Act:
- (17) Prescribing recognised certificates and the conditions that must be fulfilled for the purposes of section 81 of this Act:
- (18) Prescribing, for the purposes of section 101(1)(a) of this Act, requirements in relation to the system of operation to be maintained by the holders of an employer licence:
- Prescribed Electrical Work
- (19) Prescribing, for the purposes of Part 10 of this Act, what work shall be deemed to be or not to be prescribed electrical work and the circumstances and conditions in which any work shall be deemed to be or not to be prescribed electrical work:
- (20) Prescribing the limits or scope of prescribed electrical work which any of the persons referred to in section 108(2) of this Act, or any person to whom section 109 or section 110 or section 111 or section 112 of this Act applies, may do or assist to do:
- (21) Prescribing professions, trades, or callings, or classes of professions, trades, or callings, in the course of which persons may do or assist to do prescribed electrical work:
- (22) Restricting, regulating, and prescribing conditions in respect of the performance of prescribed electrical work by persons entitled to do or assist to do such work pursuant to section 112 or section 113 of this Act, which conditions may include the completion, by such persons, of such safety and refresher courses as may be prescribed:
- (23) Providing for the testing, inspection, and certification of—
  - (a) Prescribed electrical work:
  - (b) Works, electrical installations, fittings, and electrical appliances:
- Statistics
- (23A) authorising the Secretary to obtain such information concerning the generation, conversion, transformation, conveyance, sale, consumption, and use of electricity as may be required for statistical purposes:
- Miscellaneous Provisions
- (24) Regulating the procedure of the Board, or Committees, or both:
- (25) Prescribing the forms of applications, certificates, licences, and other documents required under this Act, or authorising the Board or the Secretary to prescribe or approve forms, and requiring the use of such forms:
- (26) Prescribing the form of the registers to be kept, and the particulars to be entered in them:
- (26A)
- (26B)
- (26C)
- (26D)
- (26E)
- (27) Prescribing the manner in which any notice or other document required by this Act to be given or served by, or to or on, any person is to be so given or served:
- (28) Prescribing the matters in respect of which fees are payable under this Act; prescribing the amounts of the fees or the method by which they are to be assessed; and prescribing the persons to whom the fees are to be paid:
- (29) Exempting or providing for the exemption of any person or class of persons from liability to pay any fees payable under this Act:
- (30) Authorising the waiver, refund, or remission, in such circumstances as in accordance with the regulations the Board or the Secretary thinks fit, of the whole or part of any fees payable under this Act:
- (31) Prescribing offences in respect of the contravention of or non-compliance with any regulations made under this section, and the amount of the fine that may be imposed in respect of any such offence, which fine shall be an amount not exceeding $10,000 and, where the offence is a continuing one, a further amount not exceeding $2,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence has continued:
- (32) Providing for such matters as are contemplated by or necessary for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act and for its due administration.
(2) Any regulations made under any of paragraphs (2) to (6) of subsection (1) of this section may—
- (a) Require compliance with the whole or any part of any electrical code of practice or any official standard.
- (b) Provide that proof of compliance with—
  - (i) Any electrical code of practice, or any part of such a code; or
  - (ia) any official standard, or any part of an official standard; or
  - (ii) Any approved code of practice for the time being in force pursuant to section 20 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, or any part of any such approved code of practice,—
  shall be proof of compliance with such provisions of the regulations as are specified in the regulations.
(2A) Regulations may require compliance with an official standard (or a specified part of an official standard) that relates to the subject matter of the regulations by referring to it in the regulations (with any additions or variations that may be specified in the regulations).

(2B) That official standard (or the specified part), as it existed on the date of the inclusion (but with any specified additions or variations), is then deemed to form part of the regulations.

(2C) In subsections (2), (2A), and (2B), official standard may be treated as including, for the purposes of subsections (1)(2)(b) and (c), (7A), and (8)(aa) and (c), the Conformity Cooperation Agreement (including any amendments made to that agreement in accordance with it) and any standards or rules referred to in the Conformity Cooperation Agreement.
(3) Without limiting the Acts Interpretation Act 1924, no regulation made under this section shall be invalid because it leaves any matter to the discretion of the Secretary or any other person, or because it authorises the Secretary or any other person—
- (a) To give any consent or approval on or subject to conditions to be imposed or approved by the Secretary or any other person; or
- (b) To set any standard.
(4) Notwithstanding section 1(3) of this Act, and without limiting section 12 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1924, no regulations made under this section may be expressed to come into force before the 1st day of April 1993.

(5) In this section, Conformity Cooperation Agreement means the Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the People's Republic of China on Cooperation in the Field of Conformity Assessment in Relation to Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Components, which is Annex 14 of the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the People's Republic of China done at Beijing on 7 April 2008.

Compare: 1968 No 125, s 55; 1983 No 123, s 8; 1987 No 111, s 13

Section 169(1)(2)(b): amended, on 29 July 2008, by section 7(1)(a) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

Section 169(1)(2)(b): amended, on 29 July 2008, by section 7(1)(b) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

Section 169(1)(2)(c): amended, on 29 July 2008, by section 7(2)(a) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

Section 169(1)(2)(c): amended, on 29 July 2008, by section 7(2)(b) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

Subsection (1)(3A) was inserted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 26(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

Section 169(1)(7A): inserted, on 29 July 2008, by section 7(3) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

Section 169(1)(8)(aa): inserted, on 29 July 2008, by section 7(4) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

Section 169(1)(8)(b): repealed, on 20 September 2007, by section 4(1) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 53).

Section 169(1)(8)(c): amended, on 29 July 2008, by section 7(5) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

Subsection (1)(9) was substituted, as from 31 March 2005, by section 414 Building Act 2004 (2004 No 72). See subpart 4 of Part 5 of that Act (sections 416 to 451) for the transitional provisions.

Section 169(1)(23A) heading: inserted, on 20 September 2007, by section 4(2) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 53).

Section 169(1)(23A): inserted, on 20 September 2007, by section 4(2) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 53).

Section 169(1)(25): amended, on 23 December 2008, by section 5(1) of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Section 169(1)(25): amended, on 26 September 2008, by section 5(1) of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 86).

Section 169(1)(30): amended, on 23 December 2008, by section 5(3) of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Section 169(1)(30): amended, on 26 September 2008, by section 5(3) of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 86).

Subsection (2)(a) was amended, as from 27 September 2001, by section 4 Electricity Amendment Act (No 2) 2001 (2001 No 64) by adding the words “or any official standard”.

Subsection (2)(b)(ia) was inserted, as from 27 September 2001, by section 4 Electricity Amendment Act (No 2) 2001 (2001 No 64).

Subsections (2A) and (2B) were inserted, as from 27 September 2001, by section 4 Electricity Amendment Act (No 2) 2001 (2001 No 64).

Section 169(2C): inserted, on 29 July 2008, by section 7(6) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

Section 169(5): added, on 29 July 2008, by section 7(7) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53).

169A Regulations that prescribe requirements for safety management systems

(1) Regulations made under section 169(1)(3A) must provide for requirements relating to—
- (a) the systematic identification of—
  - (i) existing hazards; and
  - (ii) new hazards (if possible before, and otherwise as, they arise); and
- (b) the taking of all practicable steps to eliminate, isolate, or minimise those hazards; and
- (c) the regular assessment of each hazard identified; and
- (d) the documentation of the safety management system; and
- (e) the audit of the safety management system.
(2) Regulations made under section 169(1)(3A) for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) may include, for example, requirements relating to—
- (a) the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and inspection of the electricity supply system; and
- (b) security and the control of access to the electricity supply system; and
- (c) the skills, knowledge, and experience of persons who do, or assist in doing, work on or in connection with the electricity supply system; and
- (d) the implementation and management of contingency plans for emergency situations that may affect, or be affected by, the electricity supply system; and
- (e) processes for the ongoing improvement of safety in connection with the electricity supply system; and
- (f) the investigation of accidents that involve or affect the electricity supply system.
(3) Regulations made under section 169(1)(3A) for the purposes of subsection (1)(e) may include, for example, requirements relating to—
- (a) who may conduct audits; and
- (b) how often audits must be conducted; and
- (c) the outcomes and objectives of audits.
(4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not limit subsection (1).
(5) In this section, hazard —
- (a) means an activity, arrangement, circumstance, event, occurrence, phenomenon, process, situation, or substance (whether arising or caused within or outside the electricity supply system) that presents or may present a significant risk of—
  - (i) serious harm to any member of the public; or
  - (ii) significant damage to property owned by a person other than the electricity generator or electricity distributor; and
- (b) includes—
  - (i) a situation where a person's behaviour may present a significant risk of the matters referred to in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii); and
  - (ii) without limitation, a situation described in subparagraph (i) resulting from physical or mental fatigue, drugs, alcohol, traumatic shock, or another temporary condition that affects a person's behaviour.
Sections 169A and 169B were inserted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 27 Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

169B Miscellaneous provisions relating to regulations that prescribe requirements for safety management systems

(1) To avoid doubt, a person required by a safety management system to take all practicable steps is required to take those steps only in respect of circumstances that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, about.

(2) Different requirements may be prescribed under section 169(1)(3A) in respect of different classes of electricity generators or electricity distributors.

Sections 169A and 169B were inserted, as from 5 December 2006, by section 27 Electricity Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 70). See sections 29 to 42 of that Act for the transitional provisions.

Regulations—Information disclosure

The heading “Regulations—Information Disclosure” was repealed, as from 8 August 2001, by section 14(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40).

170 Regulations relating to information disclosure

[Repealed]

Subsection (1)(a) and (b) were substituted, as from 28 September 1993, by section 3(1) Electricity Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 143).

Subsection (1)(d) was amended, as from 28 September 1993, by section 3(2) Electricity Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 143) by inserting the word “prescribed”.

Subsection (1)(ha) was inserted, as from 28 September 1993, by section 3(3) Electricity Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 143).

Subsection (1)(ha) was amended, as from 15 November 2000, by section 7 Electricity Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 61) by adding the words “; and, for this purpose, prescribed business relationships involving activities conducted by, or occurring within, one person only are included:”.

Subsection (1)(l) was inserted, as from 9 July 1998, by section 94 Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (1998 No 88).

Sections 170, 171, 171A, and 172 were repealed, as from 8 August 2001, by section 14(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 14(3) of that Act as to sections 171, 171A, and 172 continuing in force for the purpose of the continuation of the Electricity (Information Disclosure) Regulations 1999 under subsection (2). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Regulations—Consumer choice of electricity retailer

Section 170A and the heading “Regulations—Consumer Choice of Electricity Retailer” were inserted, as from 9 July 1998, by section 95 Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (1998 No 88).

170A Regulations relating to ability of consumers to choose preferred electricity retailer

[Repealed]

Section 170A and the heading “Regulations—Consumer Choice of Electricity Retailer” were inserted, as from 9 July 1998, by section 95 Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (1998 No 88).

Section 170A was repealed, as from 8 August 2001, by section 15 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

171 Information to be supplied to Secretary

[Repealed]

Subsection (1)(a) was amended, as from 28 July 1997, by section 6 Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42) by inserting the words “, which statements and information must be supplied within 5 working days after the statements and information are first made so available”.

Sections 170, 171, 171A, and 172 were repealed, as from 8 August 2001, by section 14(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 14(3) of that Act for sections 171, 171A, and 172 continuing in force for the purpose of the continuation of the Electricity (Information Disclosure) Regulations 1999 under subsection (2). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

171A Reasonable charge may be imposed for providing copies of statements

[Repealed]

Section 171A was inserted, as from 28 July 1997, by section 7 Electricity Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 42).

Sections 170, 171, 171A, and 172 were repealed, as from 8 August 2001, by section 14(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 14(3) of that Act for sections 171, 171A, and 172 continuing in force for the purpose of the continuation of the Electricity (Information Disclosure) Regulations 1999 under subsection (2). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

172 Offences

[Repealed]

Subsection (1)(a) and (b) were amended, as from 9 July 1998, by section 96(1) Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (1998 No 88) by omitting the words “, without reasonable excuse”.

Subsection (1)(c) was inserted, as from 9 July 1998, by section 96(2) Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (1998 No 88).

Sections 170, 171, 171A, and 172 were repealed, as from 8 August 2001, by section 14(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 14(3) of that Act for sections 171, 171A, and 172 continuing in force for the purpose of the continuation of the Electricity (Information Disclosure) Regulations 1999 under subsection (2). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2—Electricity industry regulation-making powers

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

172A Outline of subpart

(1) In this subpart, the principal regulation-making powers are as follows:

Type of regulations	How they can be made
1 Regulations on a low fixed charge tariff option or options for domestic consumers under section 172B	Can be made at any time, whether or not the Electricity Commission has made a recommendation
2 Regulations on a code on access for beneficiaries of customer and community trusts under section 172C
3 First regulations on reserve energy under section 172CA
4 First regulations on distributed generation under section 172D(1)(10)
All other regulations, for example, on wholesale, generation, transmission, and retail issues	Can be made only for transitional purposes or to implement the effect of a recommendation by the Electricity Commission.

(2) This section is intended only as a guide to the general scheme and effect of the principal regulation-making powers in this Part.

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Section 172A was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 6 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Regulations—Low fixed charge tariff option for domestic consumers

172B Low fixed charge tariff option for domestic consumers

(1) The objective of this section is to enable the making of regulations to ensure that electricity providers offer a low fixed charge tariff option or options for delivered electricity to domestic consumers that will assist low-use consumers and encourage energy conservation.

(2) In this section,—

delivered electricity includes components like electricity supply, line function services, customer service, meter provision, and meter reading services

electricity provider means an electricity retailer or other business that contracts with consumers to sell delivered electricity or a component of delivered electricity

fixed charge means a charge levied for each customer connection in currency per time period (for example, cents per day).

low-use consumer means a domestic consumer of a type specified in the regulations.
(3) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations—
- (a) requiring electricity providers to make available to domestic consumers 1 or more tariff options that include a fixed charge for delivered electricity to domestic premises at not more than a specified amount:
- (ab) specifying which domestic consumers are low-use consumers (these types of consumer may, for example, vary according to the particular area of New Zealand in which the domestic premises are situated, or according to whether the domestic premises are the domestic consumer’s principal place of residence):
- (b) regulating the variable (cents per kilowatt hour) charges in those required low fixed charge tariff options to ensure that low-use consumers would pay a lower total charge on that tariff option than on any similar alternative tariff option available from that electricity provider:
- (c) regulating other charges and other terms and conditions of the contracts to which the low fixed charge tariff options in paragraph (a) relate, to ensure that they are not, in the opinion of the Minister, unreasonably detrimental to the interests of low-use consumers:
- (d) setting rules as to the offering, supply, advertisement, promotion, availability, and unbundling of regulated charging options:
- (e) specifying criteria for the Minister to exempt electricity providers, or electricity providers in relation to particular areas, from the application of the regulations if, in the opinion of the Minister,—
  - (i) the electricity providers materially comply with the objective of this section; or
  - (ii) the electricity providers would incur a significant or unreasonable cost to comply with the regulations.
(3A) No electricity provider that is a customer trust or a community trust may pay a low-use consumer who is on the required low fixed charge tariff option a different rebate only because the consumer is on that tariff option.

(3B) Each trustee of an electricity provider that contravenes subsection (3A) commits an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

(4) If the components that make up the delivered electricity are unbundled, regulations may be made under subsection (3) for each component, or group of components, of delivered electricity to ensure that the objective of this section is achieved for the aggregate of all the components.

(5) Subsection (4) applies regardless of whether different components of delivered electricity are supplied by the same electricity provider.

(6) [Repealed]
(7) The Governor-General may, for the purpose of assisting retailers to deliver low fixed charge tariff options, by Order in Council, make regulations—
- (a) regulating all or any charges charged by electricity distributors to ensure that they are not, in the opinion of the Minister, unreasonably detrimental to the interests of low-use consumers:
- (b) regulating the terms and conditions under which electricity distributors supply their services in relation to domestic consumers to ensure that they are not, in the opinion of the Minister, unreasonably detrimental to the interests of low-use consumers:
- (c) setting rules as to the offering, availability, supply, and unbundling of electricity distributors' services.
- (d) regulating the charging, offering, supply, and availability of delivered electricity by other electricity providers.
(8) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations providing for the supply and collection of information from electricity providers and electricity distributors—
- (a) about contracts, offers, advertising, or promotion relating to the supply of delivered electricity, or components of delivered electricity, to domestic consumers; or
- (b) [Repealed]
(9) Subsection (7) does not apply to Transpower.

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Low-use consumer: this definition was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 7(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172B(2) low-use consumer: substituted, on 19 April 2008, by section 4(1) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

Subsection (3)(a) was amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 7(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by omitting the words “or proportion calculated by reference to the total charge of the average or median domestic consumer”.

Section 172B(3)(ab): inserted, on 19 April 2008, by section 4(2) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

Subsection (3)(b) was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 7(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172B(3)(e): substituted, on 19 April 2008, by section 4(3) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

Subsections (3A) and (3B) were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 7(4) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subsection (6) was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 7(5) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subsection (7)(d) was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 7(6) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subsection (8)(b) was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 7(7) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Regulations—Code on access for beneficiaries of community and customer trusts

172C Regulations for code on access for beneficiaries of customer and community trusts

(1) The objective of this section is to enable the making of regulations to promote the accountability of community and customer trusts to their beneficiaries.
(2) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes in relation to community trusts and customer trusts:
- (a) providing for a code of practice for those trusts and their trustees that specifies—
  - (i) requirements for trustees to disclose to beneficiaries information of the kind that they are required to disclose to beneficiaries under the Trustee Act 1956, the relevant trust deed, and any other rule of law:
  - (ii) procedures and other matters concerning requests for information, decisions on those requests, and the form in which information must be provided:
  - (iii) requirements for those trustees to hold at least 1 annual meeting that beneficiaries may attend and other matters concerning those meetings, including notice requirements, the rights of beneficiaries to attend and to receive copies of minutes of or other material relating to those meetings, and a requirement for the chairperson of those meetings to allow a reasonable opportunity for beneficiaries at the meeting to question, discuss, or comment on the management of the trust:
- (b) providing for rights of review of acts and decisions of trustees concerning matters governed by the code, the powers and procedures of the person or court undertaking that review, and consequential rights of appeal or review.
(3) Nothing in the code under subsection (2)(a) limits any rights to information under any other enactment or rule of law.

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Regulations—Reserve energy

The heading above section 172CA was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 8 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172CA Reserve energy

(1) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations in respect of the securing and use of reserve energy, including—
- (a) types of reserve energy to be secured and procedures to be followed in securing reserve energy; and
- (b) conditions of securing and using reserve energy; and
- (c) circumstances in which, and terms (including volume and price) on which, reserve energy must or may be offered on the wholesale market.
(2) The Minister may make a recommendation under this section in relation to the first Order in Council made under this section without the Commission having made a recommendation on the matter.

(3) Section 172E otherwise applies to each Order in Council made under this section as if regulations under this section were electricity governance regulations and with all necessary modifications.

Section 172CA was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 8 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80). See sections 27 to 29 of that Act for the transitional provision.

Electricity governance regulations

172D Electricity governance regulations

(1) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister in accordance with section 172E, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
- Wholesale market
- (1) providing for the establishment and operation of competitive wholesale markets for electricity, including for—
  - (a) discovery of prices and determining quantities of electricity for market transactions:
  - (b) clearing, settling, and reconciling market transactions:
  - (c) scheduling and dispatching electricity:
  - (d) disclosure of market information:
  - (e) disclosure of information on hedge and contract volumes and prices:
  - (f) the promotion of hedge (including futures) markets:
  - (g) minimum prudential standards for market participation:
  - (h) minimum standards of market conduct:
- Generation
- (2) providing for generation of electricity and management of supply and price risks in a competitive market, including for—
  - (a) electricity generators to hold or provide for reserve fuels (including water):
  - (b) electricity generators to offer by tender a minimum volume of contracts that enable the price risks associated with the spot market to be managed, including for the terms and conditions of those contracts (excluding prices and reserve prices):
  - (c) electricity generators to post buy and sell prices for hedge (including futures) contracts:
  - (d) disclosure of information on hydro lake levels and inflows, thermal fuel stockpiles, supply contracts for thermal fuels (excluding price), capacity to generate, and proposed outages:
  - (e) disclosure of offers into the spot market by electricity generators:
  - (f) disclosure of information on spill from hydro dams:
- Transmission
- (3) setting standards and making provision for common quality and minimum real-time security on the national grid, and requiring industry participants to comply with those standards:
- (4) setting quality and security standards for the transmission system or parts of the transmission system, or for the use of that system or part, and requiring industry participants to comply with those standards:
- (5) prescribing reasonable terms and conditions on which Transpower must enable distribution lines, and electricity generators and users of electricity, to be connected to the national grid, and that must be complied with in connecting to the national grid:
- (6) regulating the way in which expansions, replacements, or upgrades of the national grid or parts of the national grid must be evaluated, carried out, and funded, including specifying—
  - (a) the circumstances in which Transpower must generally carry out expansions, replacements, or upgrades:
  - (b) particular expansions, replacements, or upgrades that Transpower must carry out:
  - (c) the methodology on which costs for expansions, replacements, or upgrades must be allocated among industry participants, or the actual allocation of those costs, and providing for their payment by industry participants:
  - (d) obligations for Transpower to report in relation to forecasts of medium-term system adequacy to assist in identifying opportunities for the use of alternatives to expansions, replacements, or upgrades:
- (7) requiring the use by Transpower of a specified methodology or component of a methodology for allocating Transpower's revenue requirement to individual electricity generators, electricity retailers, electricity distributors, line owners, customers, or consumers, or classes of any of those persons, including—
  - (a) defining the charges for any of those persons or classes of any of those persons:
  - (b) imposing quality standards generally or in respect of the supply of transmission services to any of those persons or classes of any of those persons:
  - (c) requiring a specified person or class of persons receiving (either directly or indirectly) goods or services from Transpower to pay a specified amount or proportion of the total price, or the total price, for those goods or services:
  - (d) authorising a way or ways in which Trans-power may apply the methodology:
- (8) providing for financial instruments for managing risks relating to transmission losses and constraints:
- Distribution and retailing
- (9) providing for a price methodology or methodologies for recovery of the revenue requirements of electricity distributors:
- (10) providing for terms and conditions on which line owners and electricity distributors must enable generators to be connected to distribution lines:
- (11) providing for requirements on buyers of electricity on the wholesale market to do either or both of the following:
  - (a) maintain minimum levels of hedge and contract cover with electricity generators:
  - (b) maintain minimum levels of demand-side management programmes and interruptible load:
- (12) providing for establishing and operating markets for exchange of demand-side savings:
- (13) providing for the use of ripple control of hot water heating for security of supply or load management purposes:
- (14) providing for the management and co-ordination of outages for security of supply purposes:
- (15) providing for terms and conditions for the use of lines and related services by electricity retailers:
- (16) providing for the reconciliation of, and payment for, losses of electricity from distribution lines:
- (17) providing for the disclosure of information by electricity retailers and electricity distributors on tariffs and other charges:
- (18) providing for arrangements to enable consumers to switch electricity retailers:
- (19) providing for arrangements for consumers in the event of insolvency of electricity retailers:
- (20) providing for terms and conditions for access to electricity meters by electricity retailers:
- (21) providing for the introduction of time-of-use meters:
- (22) providing for terms and conditions on which electricity retailers must offer prepayment meters to domestic consumers:
- (22A) providing for the terms and conditions on which electricity retailers must provide domestic consumers with billing and payment options (for example, smoothed payments and redirection of income):
- (22B) providing for the terms and conditions on which electricity retailers must provide domestic consumers with information about overdue accounts and disconnection processes:
- (23) providing for terms and conditions (including metering arrangements) for purchase by electricity retailers of surplus electricity generated by generating units that are owned or operated by a consumer and that have an electricity generating capacity of less than 40,000 kWh in any financial year, subject to the electricity retailer not incurring ongoing financial losses as a result of those terms and conditions:
- (24) providing for the provision of information on customer accounts:
- (24A) providing for electricity retailers to proactively provide information about a particular domestic consumer or a particular domestic consumer’s account—
  - (a) to the consumer; and
  - (b) with the consumer’s authorisation, to Government agencies:
- (25) providing for minimum terms and conditions in contracts between domestic consumers and electricity retailers or electricity distributors:
- (25A) providing for the terms and conditions on which electricity retailers may and may not disconnect prescribed classes of domestic consumers:
- (25B) providing for the terms and conditions on which electricity retailers must reconnect a domestic consumer’s electricity after a disconnection:
- (25C) providing for the terms and conditions for the supply of electricity or line function services to domestic consumers by electricity retailers or electricity distributors:
- (26) providing for the use of bonds by electricity retailers and electricity distributors:
- (27) providing for the establishment of, and participation by electricity distributors and electricity retailers in, a complaints resolution system (which may include codes of practice) for the purpose of addressing complaints by any person (including potential consumers and owners and occupiers of land) relating to electricity retailers and electricity distributors, and setting out minimum requirements in relation to that system, including—
  - (a) provision for compensation up to a maximum of $20,000 to be awarded, and other actions to be taken, by the complaints resolution agency in relation to those complaints:
  - (b) provision for rights of review, or rights of appeal on a question of law only, in relation to decisions relating to those complaints:
- Dispute resolution procedures
- (28) providing procedures for resolving disputes between industry participants:
- (29) providing for the operation and facilitation of those dispute resolution procedures by a person, and the powers and procedures of that person:
- Processes
- (30) providing for processes for settling particular issues within the electricity industry that may result in recommendations for electricity governance regulations or rules, and requiring compliance by industry participants and the Commission with those processes, including compliance with requirements to produce documents as part of those processes:
- Enforcement of electricity governance regulations
- (31) providing for compliance with electricity governance regulations and rules to be monitored and enforced by the Commission or any other person or court, and the powers and procedures of that person or court.
(2) In subsection (1)(2), electricity generator means a person who owns or operates assets that, whether taken individually or as a whole, have a rated electricity generating capacity equal to, or greater than, 10 MW.

(3) The Commission and the Minister must ensure, before making a recommendation for any regulations under subsection (1)(2), that those regulations do not provide for undue discrimination between electricity generators.

(3A) Subsection (1)(24A) does not override the Privacy Act 1993.

(4) In this section, unless the context otherwise requires, terms and conditions includes both contractual matters and other types of arrangements and requirements.

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Sections 172D to 172F were substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 9 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172D(1)(10): amended, on 20 September 2007, by section 5 of the Electricity Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 53).

Section 172D(1)(22A): inserted, on 19 April 2008, by section 5(1) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

Section 172D(1)(22B): inserted, on 19 April 2008, by section 5(1) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

Section 172D(1)(24A): inserted, on 19 April 2008, by section 5(2) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

Section 172D(1)(25A): inserted, on 19 April 2008, by section 5(3) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

Section 172D(1)(25B): inserted, on 19 April 2008, by section 5(3) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

Section 172D(1)(25C): inserted, on 19 April 2008, by section 5(3) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

Section 172D(3A): inserted, on 19 April 2008, by section 5(4) of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29).

172E Conditions and process for recommendations on electricity governance regulations

(1) The Minister may recommend electricity governance regulations under section 172D (other than the first regulations made under section 172D(1)(10)) only if the recommendation—
- (a) implements the effect of a recommendation of the Commission; and
- (b) does not differ from that recommendation in any material way (for example, other than in matters of drafting style or minor detail).
(2) The following applies to recommendations by the Commission concerning those regulations:
- (a) sections 172X to 172Z apply; and
- (b) before making a recommendation, the Commission must—
  - (i) undertake an assessment under section 172F; and
  - (ii) consult with persons that the Commission thinks are representative of the interests of persons likely to be substantially affected by the proposed regulations; and
  - (iii) give those persons the opportunity to make submissions; and
  - (iv) consider those submissions; and
- (c) no later than 10 working days after making a recommendation, the Commission must publicise the recommendation and the assessment completed under section 172F; and
- (d) section 54V of the Commerce Act 1986 (which requires the Commission to advise the Commerce Commission of any recommendation that is likely to affect certain of the powers of the Commerce Commission under that Act) applies.
(3) Subsection (2)(b) and section 172F (which relate to consultation and assessments) do not apply if the Commission considers that it is necessary or desirable in the public interest that the proposed regulations be made urgently, and, in this case, the recommendation must state that it is made in reliance on this subsection and then, within 6 months of those regulations being made,—
- (a) the Commission must—
  - (i) comply with subsection (2)(b) and section 172F; and
  - (ii) make a recommendation to the Minister on whether or not the regulations should be revoked, replaced, or amended; and
  - (iii) no later than 10 working days after making the recommendation, publicise the recommendation and the assessment completed under section 172F; and
- (b) after receiving that recommendation, the Minister must publish a notice in the Gazette stating whether or not he or she decides to recommend the revocation, replacement, or amendment of the regulations and explaining the reasons for that decision, or stating where copies of that explanation may be obtained,—
and then within a further 6 months, the Minister must make that recommendation.
(4) A regulation that is found by a court to be invalid solely because of a contravention of subsection (2)(b) or subsection (5) may not be declared to be invalid with effect earlier than 6 months after the date of the declaration.

(5) The Minister must, before making a recommendation concerning regulations under section 172D(1)(18) to (27), consult with the Minister of Consumer Affairs.

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Sections 172D to 172F were substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 9 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172E(2)(d): amended, on 14 October 2008, by section 29(3) of the Commerce Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 70).

172F Assessment of proposed electricity governance regulations

(1) Before making a recommendation to the Minister on an electricity governance regulation, the Commission must—
- (a) seek to identify all reasonably practicable options for achieving the objective of the regulation; and
- (b) assess those options by considering—
  - (i) the benefits and costs of each option; and
  - (ii) the extent to which the objective would be promoted or achieved by each option; and
  - (iii) any other matters that the Commission considers relevant; and
- (c) ensure that the objective of the regulation is unlikely to be satisfactorily achieved by any reasonably practicable means other than the making of the regulation (for example, by education, information, or voluntary compliance); and
- (d) prepare a statement of the proposal for the purpose of consultation under section 172E(2)(b)(ii).
(2) The statement of the proposal referred to in subsection (1)(d) must contain—
- (a) a detailed statement of the proposal; and
- (b) a statement of the reasons for the proposal; and
- (c) an assessment of the reasonably practicable options, including the proposal, identified under subsection (1); and
- (d) other information that the Commission considers relevant.
(3) The Commission is not required to comply with subsection (1) if it is satisfied that the effect of the recommendation is minor and will not adversely affect the interests of any person in a substantial way.

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Sections 172D to 172F were substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 9 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172G Process for recommendations on other electricity governance regulations

[Repealed]

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Section 172G was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 9 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172H Electricity governance rules

(1) The Minister may make a rule for all or any of the purposes for which an electricity governance regulation may be made.
(2) In deciding whether to make a rule rather than recommend the making of an electricity governance regulation, the Minister must have regard to only—
- (a) the importance of the rule, including whether the rule has a material effect on the rights and interests of individuals:
- (b) the subject matter of the rule, including whether the rule contains detailed or technical matters rather than matters of general principle:
- (c) the application of the rule, including—
  - (i) whether the rule applies principally to a particular group (eg, industry participants) rather than the general public:
  - (ii) whether the benefits of publication in accordance with section 172I rather than the Acts and Regulations Publication Act 1989 outweigh the costs of publication by that method:
- (d) the expertise and rule-making procedures of the agency that has recommended the rule (eg, the expertise of the Commission).
(3) If the Minister makes, or EGB recommends, a rule for a purpose for which an electricity governance regulation may be made, the Minister and EGB must comply with the same conditions and process that would apply under section 172D(3), section 172E, or section 172F if they were making recommendations on that electricity governance regulation, and those sections apply (with all necessary modifications) accordingly.

(4) Section 172I applies to the method of making the rule.

(5) A rule is a regulation for the purposes of the Regulations (Disallowance) Act 1989 (but not for the purposes of the Acts and Regulations Publication Act 1989).

(6) To the extent that a rule is inconsistent with an electricity governance regulation, the rule is subject to the electricity governance regulation.

(7) A rule that is found by a court to be invalid solely because of a contravention of subsection (2) may not be declared to be invalid with effect earlier than 6 months after the date of the declaration.

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subsection (3) was amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 10(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by substituting the words “section 172D(3), section 172E, or section 172F” for the words “section 172E or section 172G”.

Subsection (7) was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 10(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172I Method of making electricity governance rules

(1) A rule may be made under section 172H by the Minister publishing a notice in the Gazette that states—
- (a) the empowering provision for the electricity governance regulation in relation to which the rule is made and a brief description of the nature of the rule; and
- (b) where copies of the rule are available for inspection and purchase.
(2) The notice in the Gazette need not contain the rule.

(3) A rule comes into force 28 days after the date on which it is notified in the Gazette or on any later date stated in the notice.
(4) The Minister or the Commission must make all of the rules made under section 172H available to the public by making copies of them available—
- (a) for inspection, free of charge,—
  - (i) at the Ministry or the principal office of the the Commission (during ordinary office hours), as the case requires; and
  - (ii) on the Internet in an electronic form that is publicly accessible (at all reasonable times); and
- (b) for purchase at a reasonable price.
Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subsection (4) was amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 14(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by omitting the words “, if it is established,”.

Supplementary provisions

172J Supplementary empowering provision for regulations and rules

(1) Any regulations made under sections 172B to 172D and any rules made under section 172H may—
- (a) provide for the establishment of 1 or more persons or bodies or groups of persons to carry out functions in relation to those regulations or rules, and for matters concerning their constitution, functions, members (including their appointment, removal, duties, and protection from liability), procedures, employees, administration and operation, funding by industry participants, and reporting requirements:
- (aa) provide for systems, processes, and procedures (including dispute resolution procedures), and the keeping, supply, and disclosure of information, in relation to any of the matters specified in sections 172B to 172D:
- (b) prescribe the form and manner in which information is to be disclosed:
- (c) require disclosed information, or information from which disclosed information is derived (in whole or in part), to be certified, in the prescribed form and manner, by persons belonging to any specified class of persons:
- (d) prescribe when and for how long information must be disclosed:
- (e) exempt or provide for exemptions (including provide for the revocation of exemptions), on any terms and conditions, of any person or class of persons from all or any of the requirements in regulations made under sections 172B to 172D and rules made under section 172H:
- (f) provide for the supply of information for the purpose of administration and enforcement of this Act, and regulations and rules made under this Act:
- (g) provide for transitional provisions:
- (h) provide for any other matters contemplated by this Act or necessary for its administration or necessary for giving it full effect.
(2) Regulations or rules that may be made in respect of all industry participants or classes of industry participants may be made in respect of all or any of the persons in that class and in respect of all or part of their business.

Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Sections 172J and 172K were amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 10(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by substituting the words “sections 172B to 172D” for the words “sections 172B to 172F” wherever they appear.

Subsection (1)(aa) was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 11 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172K Supplementary empowering provision for regulations

Any regulations made under sections 172B to 172D may—
- (a) provide for offences that are punishable by summary conviction for a contravention of those regulations, or of rules made under section 172H, and provide for penalties not exceeding $20,000 for those offences:
- (b) provide for compensation, civil penalties, and other actions that may be taken in respect of contraventions of those regulations or of rules made under section 172H:
- (c) confer and provide for rights of appeal and review in relation to decisions relating to contraventions of the regulations or of rules made under section 172H.
Subpart 2 (comprising sections 172A to 172K) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Sections 172J and 172K were amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 10(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by substituting the words “sections 172B to 172D” for the words “sections 172B to 172F” wherever they appear.

Provisions that apply if electricity governance regulations or rules are in force

This heading was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KA Transmission agreements

(1) The Commission or the Rulings Panel, or electricity governance regulations or rules, may direct Transpower, and 1 or more industry participants, to enter into 1 or more transmission agreements for connection to, use of, and (where relevant) investment in, the national grid.

(2) The terms of those transmission agreements may be set by the Commission or the Rulings Panel or prescribed in those regulations or rules.

(3) Those transmission agreements are binding on both parties and are enforceable as if they were contracts between the parties that were freely and voluntarily entered into.

(4) If the parties do not comply with the direction, the terms set by the Commission or the Rulings Panel, or prescribed in those regulations or rules, are also binding on both parties and enforceable as if they were such a contract.

(5) The terms may be amended or replaced, but only by mutual consent of the parties.

(6) The consultation, dispute resolution, and other procedural provisions that apply to mandatory or default transmission agreements are contained in electricity governance regulations or rules.

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KB Party must co-operate with investigations

Every industry participant must co-operate fully with any investigation carried out, for the purposes of monitoring or enforcing any electricity governance regulations or rules, by the Commission, or by an investigator appointed under those regulations,—
- (a) by providing, within any reasonable time specified by the Commission or the investigator, all information, papers, recordings, and documents concerning the matter that are in the possession, or under the control, of the industry participant and that are requested for the purpose of the investigation; and
- (b) by permitting its officers or other employees to be interviewed (which interview may be recorded) and by ensuring as far as possible that they are made available for interview and answer truthfully and fully any questions put to them; and
- (c) by giving to the Commission, or any person authorised by the Commission, at all reasonable times, full access to any premises (subject to complying with any safety requirements that apply to visitors to those premises) at which the industry participant carries on business or maintains records; and
- (d) by giving all other assistance that may be reasonable and necessary to enable the matter to be fully investigated.
Compare: SR 2003/374 r 79

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172KB: amended, on 23 December 2008, by section 6 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Section 172KB: amended, on 26 September 2008, by section 6 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 86).

172KC Privileges protected

(1) Section 172KB does not limit any claim for legal professional privilege.

(2) A person is not excused from answering a question or giving any information or document on the ground that to do so may incriminate or tend to incriminate that person.
(3) However, a self-incriminating statement or document made or given—
- (a) is not admissible as evidence in criminal or civil proceedings against that person; and
- (b) may not be used against the person in any proceedings before the Rulings Panel, except for information provided under any self-reporting obligation under those regulations.
Compare: SR 2003/374 r 80

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KD Limits on investigation powers

(1) The Commission may authorise, in writing, any person or persons to exercise all or any of the powers referred to in section 172KB(b) or (c) in respect of an industry participant.

(2) An authorised person must, before entering premises under section 172KB(c), give reasonable notice to the owner or occupier of the premises (at least 4 days before entry) of his or her intention to enter the premises.

(3) An authorised person must, on first entering any premises under section 172KB(c) and, if requested, at any later time, produce to the person apparently in charge of the premises the authorisation under subsection (1).
(4) If an authorised person enters any premises under section 172KB(c) and is unable, despite reasonable efforts, to find any person apparently in charge, the authorised person must, before leaving the premises, leave a written notice stating—
- (a) the authorised person's identity; and
- (b) the address of premises where the authorised person may be contacted; and
- (c) the date and time of entry; and
- (d) the reasons for entering.
(5) Section 172KB(c) does not authorise an authorised person to enter a home, except with the consent of an occupier or under the authority of a warrant.

(6) An authorised person may apply for a warrant by written application on oath.

(7) A District Court Judge, Justice, or Community Magistrate, or a Court Registrar (not being a constable) who is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that it is necessary, for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not an industry participant has breached, or may breach, the electricity governance regulations or rules, for an authorised person to search any place may, by warrant, authorise that person to search a place specified in the warrant.

Compare: SR 2003/374 r 81

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KE Rulings Panel may make certain orders

(1) The Rulings Panel may, after considering any complaint or matter referred to it in respect of an allegation that an industry participant has breached any electricity governance regulations or rules,—
- (a) decide that no action should be taken:
- (b) issue a private warning or reprimand to an industry participant:
- (c) issue a public warning or reprimand to an industry participant:
- (d) impose additional or more stringent record-keeping or reporting requirements under or in connection with any electricity governance regulation or rule:
- (e) order an industry participant to pay a civil pecuniary penalty not exceeding $20,000:
- (f) order an industry participant to pay a sum by way of compensation to any other person:
- (g) order an industry participant that is found not to be complying with any electricity governance regulations or rules to take any action that is necessary to restore it to a position of compliance:
- (h) make an order terminating or suspending the rights of an industry participant under any electricity governance regulation or rule:
- (i) make orders regarding the reasonable costs of any investigations or proceedings:
- (j) propose to the Commission that it recommend to the Minister that a change should be made to a regulation or rule.
(2) In making any such decision, the Rulings Panel must take into account its previous decisions in respect of any similar situations previously dealt with by the Commission or the Rulings Panel.

Compare: SR 2003/374 r 107

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KF Restriction of remedies

(1) The remedies provided for in section 172KE and in the electricity governance regulations and rules are the only remedies in respect of a breach of those regulations or rules.

(2) No one can bring an action for breach of statutory duty that arises out of, or relates to, a breach of those regulations or rules by an industry participant.
(3) This section does not limit the recovery of—
- (a) a debt owing under any electricity governance regulations or rules; or
- (b) damages in tort other than breach of statutory duty, for breach of contract, or for any other wrong, that arises from any act or omission that is also a breach of those regulations or rules.
Compare: SR 2003/374 r 6

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KG Limit on tort claims against service providers

(1) No industry participant may bring an action in tort against a service provider that arises out of, or relates to, any act, matter, or thing done, or required or omitted to be done, by the service provider in its role as service provider, provided that the act or omission is not a fraudulent act or omission by the service provider.

(2) Service provider means a service provider appointed under the electricity governance regulations.

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Appeals

This heading was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KH Appeals on ground of lack of jurisdiction

An industry participant affected by a decision of the Rulings Panel may appeal that decision to the High Court on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.

Compare: SR 2003/374 r 184

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KI Judicial review not precluded

Nothing in this Act limits access to the courts in an action for judicial review.

Compare: SR 2003/374 r 185

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KJ Appeals on question of law in relation to decisions by Commission or Rulings Panel

(1) There is a right of appeal to the High Court on a question of law only against a decision of the Commission or the Rulings Panel under any electricity governance regulations or rules.

(2) The appeal must be made by giving notice of appeal within 20 working days after the date of the decision appealed against or within any further time that the Court allows.

Compare: SR 2003/374 r 186

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KK Right of appeal against suspension or termination orders

(1) An industry participant in respect of which a suspension order or termination order is made may appeal to the High Court against the order.

(2) The appeal must be made by giving notice of appeal within 20 working days after the date of the order appealed against or within any further time that the Court allows.

Compare: SR 2003/374 r 187

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KL Persons entitled to appeal

The Commission, and the following industry participants, may exercise a right of appeal under this Part:
- (a) an industry participant in whose favour or against whom a decision or order of the Commission or the Rulings Panel is made:
- (b) an industry participant who was a party to a dispute that was determined by the Commission or the Rulings Panel:
- (c) any industry participant who joined as a party to the investigation of the matter that is subject to the appeal.
Compare: SR 2003/374 r 188

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KM Determination of appeals

In its determination of any appeal (other than an appeal to the High Court by way of case stated for the opinion of the Court on a question of law only), the High Court may do any 1 or more of the following things:
- (a) confirm, modify, or reverse the decision or any part of it:
- (b) exercise any of the powers that could have been exercised by the Commission or the Rulings Panel in relation to the matter to which the appeal relates.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 93; SR 2003/374 r 189

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KN High Court may refer appeals back to Commission or Rulings Panel for reconsideration

(1) The High Court may, in any case, instead of determining any appeal, direct the Commission or the Rulings Panel to reconsider, either generally or in respect of any specified matters, the whole or any specified part of the matter to which the appeal relates.
(2) In giving any direction under this section, the Court must—
- (a) advise the Commission or the Rulings Panel, as the case may be, of its reasons for doing so; and
- (b) give to the Commission or the Rulings Panel, as the case may be, any directions that it thinks just concerning the reconsideration or otherwise of the whole or any part of the matter that is referred back.
(3) In reconsidering the matter, the Commission or the Rulings Panel, as the case may be, must have regard to the Court's reasons for giving the direction, and the Court's directions.

Compare: 1986 No 5 s 94; SR 2003/374 r 190

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KO Provisions pending determination of appeal

If an appeal is brought against any decision of the Commission or the Rulings Panel, the decision to which the appeal relates remains in full force pending the determination of the appeal, unless the High Court orders to the contrary.

Compare: 1986 No 5 s 95; SR 2003/374 r 191

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KP High Court may order proceedings be heard in private

(1) The High Court may, in its discretion, order that the hearing or any part of the hearing of any proceedings under this Part be held in private.

(2) The High Court may make an order prohibiting the publication of any report or description of proceedings or any part of proceedings (whether heard in public or in private), but no order may prohibit the publication of any determination of the Court.

Compare: 1986 No 5 s 96; SR 2003/374 r 192

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172KQ Appeal to Court of Appeal in certain cases

(1) Any party to any appeal before the High Court against any decision of the Commission or the Rulings Panel, as the case may be, who is dissatisfied with any decision or order of the High Court may, with the leave of the High Court or of the Court of Appeal, appeal to the Court of Appeal.

(2) Section 66 of the Judicature Act 1908 applies to the appeal.
(3) In determining whether to grant leave to appeal under this section, the court to which the application for leave is made must have regard to the following matters:
- (a) whether any question of law or general principle is involved:
- (b) the importance of the issues to the parties:
- (c) the amount of money in issue:
- (d) any other matters that in the particular circumstances the court thinks fit.
(4) The court granting leave may, in its discretion, impose any conditions that it thinks fit, whether as to costs or otherwise.

Compare: 1986 No 5 s 97; SR 2003/374 r 193

Sections 172KA to 172KQ were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 12(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Part 15
Governance of electricity industry

Preliminary provisions

172L Purpose

The purpose of this Part is to—
- (a) provide for the Electricity Commission to be responsible for—
  - (i) developing recommendations on electricity governance regulations or rules that give effect to its principal objectives and specific outcomes in accordance with subpart 1:
  - (ii) other matters relating to the governance of the electricity industry in accordance with section 172O:
- (b) ensure the accountability of the Electricity Commission in accordance with subpart 2.
Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (for the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (for the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (for validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Paragraph (a) was amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 13(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by substituting the words “provide for the Electricity Commission” for the words “enable the establishment of the Electricity Governance Board”.

Paragraph (a)(i) was amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 13(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by substituting the words “give effect to its principal objectives and specific outcomes” for the words “promote its principal objective”.

Section 172L(b): amended, on 20 September 2007, by section 6 of the Electricity Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 53).

Subpart 1—Electricity Governance Board

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

172M Continuation of Commission

(1) There continues to be an organisation to be called the Electricity Commission.

(2) The Commission is a Crown entity for the purposes of the section 7(1) of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

(2A) The Crown Entities Act 2004 applies to the Commission except to the extent that this Act expressly provides otherwise.

(3) The Commission is the same body as the Electricity Governance Board established under section 172M as in force immediately before its substitution by section 14 of the Electricity Amendment Act 2004.

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172M was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 14(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subsection (2) was amended, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115) by substituting the words “section 7(1) of the Crown Entities Act 2004” for the words “Public Finance Act 1989”.

Subsection (2A) was inserted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172N Principal objectives and specific outcomes

(1) The principal objectives of the Commission in relation to electricity are—
- (a) to ensure that electricity is produced and delivered to all classes of consumers in an efficient, fair, reliable, and environmentally sustainable manner; and
- (b) to promote and facilitate the efficient use of electricity.
(2) Consistent with those principal objectives, the Commission must seek to achieve, in relation to electricity, the following specific outcomes:
- (a) energy and other resources are used efficiently:
- (b) risks (including price risks) relating to security of supply are properly and efficiently managed:
- (c) barriers to competition in the electricity industry are minimised for the long-term benefit of end-users:
- (d) incentives for investment in generation, transmission, lines, energy efficiency, and demand-side management are maintained or enhanced and do not discriminate between public and private investment:
- (e) the full costs of producing and transporting each additional unit of electricity are signalled:
- (f) delivered electricity costs and prices are subject to sustained downward pressure:
- (g) the electricity sector contributes to achieving the Government's climate change objectives by minimising hydro spill, efficiently managing transmission and distribution losses and constraints, promoting demand-side management and energy efficiency, and removing barriers to investment in new generation technologies, renewables, and distributed generation.
Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172N was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 15 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172O Functions of Commission

(1) The functions of the Commission are to—
- (a) formulate and make recommendations concerning electricity governance regulations and rules in accordance with this Act:
- (b) administer, monitor compliance with, investigate, enforce, and apply penalties or other remedies for contraventions of electricity governance regulations and rules:
- (c) establish, operate, and facilitate the operation of markets for industry participants or consumers, or both:
- (d) use reasonable endeavours to ensure security of supply (including contracting for reserve energy), without assuming any reduction in demand from emergency conservation campaigns, while minimising distortions to the normal operation of the market:
- (e) undertake forecasting and modelling of future electricity supply and demand:
- (f) promote and facilitate the efficient use and conservation of electricity (including funding programmes that provide incentives for cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation):
- (g) manage emergency conservation campaigns to avoid material risk of supply shortages:
- (h) approve 1 or more complaints resolution system for the purpose of section 158G:
- (i) develop best practice methodologies and other standards and model agreements for use by industry participants:
- (j) give effect to GPS objectives and outcomes:
- (ja) [Repealed]
- (jb) [Repealed]
- (jc) [Repealed]
- (jd) [Repealed]
- (k) provide advice to the Minister on matters concerning the electricity industry.
(2) The Commission's functions may be carried out by contracting with other parties, entering into a joint venture or contractual arrangement in respect of reserve energy and other things, or other means.

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172O was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172O(1)(ja): repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 7 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Section 172O(1)(ja): inserted, on 26 September 2008, by section 7 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 86).

Section 172O(1)(jb): repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 7 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Section 172O(1)(jb): inserted, on 26 September 2008, by section 7 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 86).

Section 172O(1)(jc): repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 7 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Section 172O(1)(jc): inserted, on 26 September 2008, by section 7 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 86).

Section 172O(1)(jd): repealed, on 23 December 2008, by section 7 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111).

Section 172O(1)(jd): inserted, on 26 September 2008, by section 7 of the Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 86).

172P Body corporate status and powers

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172P was repealed, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172Q Role of board of the Commission

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172Q was repealed, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172R Membership of the Commission's board

The Commission's board must consist of members numbering no less than 5 and no more than 9.

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Duties of members

172S Duties of members

(1) [Repealed]

(2) A member, when acting as a member, must not act as a representative of, or promote the interests or views of, any organisation to which the member belongs, a particular industry participant, or a particular group of industry participants.

(3) This section is in addition to the duties in Part 2 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Subsection (1) was repealed, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

Subsection (3) was inserted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172T Collective duties of the Commission's board

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172T was repealed, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172U Members accountable to Minister

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172U was repealed, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172V Notice of special meetings of Commission's board

Despite clause 7(2) of Schedule 5 of the Crown Entities Act 2004, at least 2 days' notice of a special meeting must be given.

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172V was substituted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

Role of the Commission in relation to electricity governance regulations and rules

172W EGB to make recommendations concerning electricity governance regulations and rules

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172W was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 17 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172X Objectives of recommendations

In formulating recommendations for electricity governance regulations and rules, the Commission must give effect to its principal objectives and specific outcomes and its GPS objectives and outcomes.

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172X was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 18 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172Y Obligation to consult

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172Y was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 19 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172Z Minister must have regard to recommendations

(1) The Minister must have regard to a recommendation by the Commission in exercising any of his or her functions or powers in relation to electricity governance regulations or rules.

(2) Section 172E applies to the Minister's power to recommend electricity governance regulations.
(3) In addition, the Minister may, if he or she considers that the principal objectives and specific outcomes of the Commission will be better given effect to by doing so, within 90 working days of receiving the recommendation, do either or both of the following:
- (a) decide not to act on that recommendation:
- (b) refer the Commission's recommendation back to the Commission for further consideration by the Commission.
(4) The Minister must publish a notice in the Gazette, within 10 working days of deciding what to do with a Commission recommendation, explaining the reasons for the decision or where copies of that explanation may be obtained.

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172Z was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 20 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Power to direct EGB

The heading above section 172ZA was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 21 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172ZA Power to direct EGB

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Sections 172ZA and 172ZB were repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 21 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172ZB Procedure for giving direction

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Sections 172ZA and 172ZB were repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 21 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Levy of industry participants

172ZC Levy of industry participants

(1) Every industry participant (or prescribed class of industry participant) must pay to the Commission on behalf of the Crown a levy prescribed by regulations under section 172ZE.
(1A) The levy must be prescribed on the basis that the following costs should be met fully out of the levy:
- (a) the estimated costs of performing the Commission's functions, powers, and duties under this Act and any other Act, including the Commission's costs in relation to endeavouring to ensure security of supply (which includes any costs incurred by the Commission as a result of any contract entered into under section 27 of the Electricity Amendment Act 2004 in respect of reserve energy); and
- (b) the costs incurred by Transpower to fund the MACQS reform process (including establishment of MACQS, grid security committee costs, and related rule development) together with interest at the rate of 8% per annum calculated and capitalised annually; and
- (c) the costs of collecting the levy money.
(1B) The levy may be prescribed on the basis that any actual cost that could have been, but has not been, recovered as a levy shortfall for a year may be recovered (along with any financing charge) over any period of up to 5 years.
(2) The regulations may—
- (a) specify the amount of levies or method of calculating or ascertaining the amount of levies:
- (b) include or provide for including in levies any shortfall in recovering those actual costs:
- (c) refund or provide for refunds of any over-recovery of those actual costs:
- (d) provide different levies for different classes of industry participants:
- (e) specify the financial year or part financial year to which those levies apply, and apply to that financial year or part and each subsequent financial year until revoked or replaced:
- (f) provide for the payment and collection of those levies:
- (g) for the first financial year to which the levy applies, include in the levy amount or method the costs of performing the Commission's functions, duties, and powers under this Act from the date on which this subpart comes into force, irrespective of the fact that the regulations may be made and come into effect after that date:
- (h) require payment of a levy for a financial year or part financial year, irrespective of the fact that the regulations may be made after that financial year has commenced:
- (i) exempt or provide for exemptions from, or provide for waivers of, the whole or any part of the levy for any case or class of cases.
(2A) The levy for a financial year that starts after the Commission begins to carry out any additional function under this Act or any other Act may cover the costs of performing that additional function, irrespective of the fact that the regulations may be made and come into effect after that date.

(3) The amount of any unpaid levy is recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Commission on behalf of the Crown.

(4) [Repealed]

(5) The Commission must, as soon as practicable after receiving any levy payment, pay it into the Crown Bank Account and separately account for each payment.

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Subsection (1) was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 22(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subsections (1A) and (1B) were inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 22(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subsection (2) was amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 22(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by omitting the words “under that section”.

Subsection (2)(a) was substituted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 22(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subsection (2A) was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 22(4) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subsection (3) was amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 22(5) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by substituting the words “debt due to the Commission on behalf of the Crown” for the words “debt due to the Crown”.

Subsection (4) was repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 22(6) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subsection (5) was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 22(7) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172ZCA Commission must consult about request for appropriation

(1) The Commission must, before submitting a request to the Minister seeking an appropriation of public money for the following year, or any change to an appropriation for the current year, consult with those industry participants who are liable to pay a levy under section 172ZC about that request.

(2) The Commission must, at the time when the request is submitted, report to the Minister on the outcome of that consultation.

Section 172ZCA was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 23 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Miscellaneous

172ZD Accountability of the Commission

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172ZD was repealed, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172ZE Regulations

The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
- (b) providing for the levies under section 172ZC:
- (c) providing for any other matters contemplated by this subpart or necessary for its administration or necessary for giving it full effect.
Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

172ZF The Commission is public authority

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Section 172ZF was repealed, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172ZG Amendment to Ombudsmen Act 1975

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Sections 172ZG and 172ZH were repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 24(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172ZH Amendment to Public Finance Act 1989

[Repealed]

Part 15 Subpart 1 (comprising sections 172M to 177ZH) was inserted, as from 15 September 2003, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See clause 2 Electricity (Commencement of Electricity Governance Board) Order 2003 (SR 2003/200).

Sections 172ZG and 172ZH were repealed, as from 18 October 2004, by section 24(3) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Subpart 2—Accountability of Electricity Commission

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172ZI Application of subpart

[Repealed]

Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172ZJ Interpretation

In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—

financial year has the same meaning as in section 136 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

GPS objectives and outcomes means the objectives and outcomes that apply to the Commission under section 172ZK

performance standards means the performance targets and measures referred to in section 172ZL

Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172ZJ was substituted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172ZK Setting of GPS objectives and outcomes

(1) The Minister must set objectives and outcomes that the Government wants the Commission to give effect to in relation to the governance of the electricity industry, and against which the Commission must report and be examined in accordance with this subpart.
(2) The Minister must set those objectives and outcomes by—
- (a) giving the Commission a statement of government policy containing those objectives and outcomes; or
- (b) giving the Commission an amendment to, or replacement of, that statement.
(3) Each statement (or amendment to, or replacement of, a statement) under subsection (2) must be published in the Gazette and presented to the House of Representatives by the Minister as soon as practicable after it is given to the Commission.

(4) GPS objectives and outcomes must be consistent with the purpose of this Part and the functions, principal objectives, and specific outcomes of the Commission.

(5) GPS objectives and outcomes must not require the Commission, in respect of a particular person, to make a particular decision, or to do or refrain from doing a particular act, or to bring about a particular result (other than in relation to Transpower).

(6) Subsection (5), in so far as it relates to Transpower, applies despite section 113 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

(7) The Minister must consult with the Commission before giving a statement under this section.

Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172ZK was substituted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172ZL Annual performance standards

(1) The Commission must include, in its statement of intent prepared in accordance with section 139 of the Crown Entities Act 2004, performance standards for the first financial year to which the statement of intent relates that have been agreed with the Minister.
(2) The performance standards—
- (a) must include the performance targets and other measures by which the performance of the Commission may be judged; and
- (b) must be matters against which the Commission's actual performance may be reported and audited; and
- (c) must relate to all of the GPS objectives and outcomes.
(3) The Minister must consult with the Auditor-General on whether the proposed performance standards meet the requirements in subsection (2)(b) and (c) before agreeing the performance standards.

(4) The Minister may direct the Commission to amend the draft performance standards, and section 147 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 applies accordingly.

Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172ZL was substituted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172ZM Additional information to be included in annual report

(1) The Commission must include, in its annual report prepared under section 150 of the Crown Entities Act 2004, the information that is necessary to enable an informed assessment to be made of the performance of the Commission against the GPS objectives and outcomes and against the performance standards in its statement of intent for that year.

(2) The Commission must, within 90 days after the end of the financial year, submit that information to the Auditor-General, for an assurance audit under section 172ZO.

Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172ZM was substituted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172ZN Minister must present annual performance report to House of Representatives

[Repealed]

Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172ZN was repealed, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172ZO Assurance audit by Auditor-General

(1) The Auditor-General must—
- (a) examine the information included in the annual report, and provided to the Auditor-General, under section 172ZM; and
- (b) either report on it—
  - (i) in the audit report provided to the Commission under section 156 of the Crown Entities Act 2004; or
  - (ii) despite that section, to the Minister and the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after receiving the information.
(2) The Auditor-General's report under subsection (1) must provide assurance on—
- (a) the appropriateness, adequacy, and accuracy of the information contained, or to be contained, in the annual report under section 172ZM; and
- (b) whether the information included in the annual report under that section enables, or is likely to enable, an informed assessment to be made of the matters stated in that section.
(3) The Auditor-General may, at any time, examine the information to be contained in the annual report and the systems of the Commission, and report on that examination to the Minister and the House of Representatives.

(4) This section does not limit section 156 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172ZO was substituted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172ZP Report by Parliamentary Commissioner for Environment

(1) The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment must examine, in accordance with subsection (2), the extent to which the Commission is meeting the GPS objectives and outcomes concerning the environment.
(2) The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment—
- (a) must, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year of the Commission, carry out that examination in respect of that financial year and report to the House of Representatives on the results of the examination; and
- (b) in addition, may carry out the examination under subsection (1) and report to the House of Representatives on the results of the examination at any other time.
Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172ZP was substituted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

172ZQ Functions under this subpart

(1) The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment may exercise all of the Commissioner's powers under the Environment Act 1986 in relation to the functions in this subpart, and that Act applies to those functions as if they were functions conferred under that Act.

(2) The functions conferred on the Auditor-General and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment by this subpart are additional to, and do not limit, the Auditor-General's or the Commissioner's functions, powers, and duties under the Public Audit Act 2001, the Crown Entities Act 2004, or the Environment Act 1986 (as the case may be).

Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 2 (sections 172ZI to 172ZR) was substituted by a new subpart 2 (sections 172ZJ to 172ZQ), as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Section 172ZQ was substituted, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).

Subpart 3—Miscellaneous provisions

Subpart 3 (comprising section 172ZR) was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

172ZR Specific authorisation for purposes of restrictive trade practices rules

The following are specifically authorised for the purpose of section 43 of the Commerce Act 1986:
- (a) anything done or omitted to be done by the Commission for the purpose of carrying out its functions, powers, and duties in relation to reserve energy under this Act; and
- (b) anything done, or omitted to be done, by the Commission, the Rulings Panel, or an industry participant, that is reasonably necessary to comply with, enforce, or otherwise administer any electricity governance regulations or rules
Part 15 (except Subpart 1) was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 16 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Subpart 3 (comprising section 172ZR) was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 25 Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).

Part 16
Repeals, etc, and transitional provisions

The heading to Part 16 was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 17 of the Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).

Repeals, revocations, amendments, and savings

173 Repeals, revocations, and consequential amendments

(1) The enactments specified in Schedule 3 to this Act are hereby repealed.

(2) The enactments specified in Schedule 4 to this Act are hereby amended in the manner indicated in that Schedule.

(3) The regulations and orders specified in Schedule 5 to this Act are hereby revoked.

174 Regulations deemed to have been made under this Act

(1) The regulations specified in Schedule 6 to this Act are hereby deemed to have been made pursuant to section 169 of this Act, and may be amended and revoked accordingly.

(2) Any regulations specified in Schedule 6 to this Act that would have been valid if section 169 of this Act had been in force when the regulations were made are hereby validated and declared to have been lawfully made.

(3) Nothing in subsection (2) of this section shall affect any proceedings taken before or after the commencement of this section in respect of any offence committed before the commencement of this section.

175 Savings

(1) The repeal, by section 173(1) of this Act, of the enactments specified in Schedule 3 to this Act does not affect the validity of anything validated by any of the provisions of any of those enactments.

(2) The repeal, by section 173(1) of this Act, of the Electricity Operators Act 1987 does not affect the amendments made by section 3(4) of that Act.

176 Application of Clutha Development (Clyde Dam) Empowering Act 1982

[Repealed]

Section 176 was repealed, as from 14 May 1999, by section 100 Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (1998 No 88). See clause 2 Electricity Industry Reform Act (Commencement of Section 100) Order 1999 (SR 1999/115).

177 Middle line Proclamation relating to Hairini-Mount Maunganui transmission line

(1) In this section, the Proclamation means the Proclamation issued pursuant to section 14 of the Electricity Act 1968 on the 3rd day of September 1982, and published in the Gazette on the 23rd day of September 1982 at pages 3103 and 3104.

(2) Notwithstanding the repeal, by section 173(1) of this Act, of the Electricity Amendment Act 1987, section 14 of that Act shall, subject to subsection (3) of this section, continue to have effect in respect of the Proclamation as if that section of that Act had not been repealed.
(3) If construction of the proposed transmission line referred to in the Proclamation is not commenced before the 1st day of October 1996, then,—
- (a) For the purposes of section 14(8) of the Electricity Act 1968 (as continued in respect of the Proclamation by subsection (2) of this section), construction of that proposed transmission line shall be deemed to have been abandoned; and
- (b) The Minister shall take the steps referred to in section 14(8) of that Act (as so continued) to cause the cancellation of the registration of the Proclamation.
(4) Nothing in section 36A of the Public Works Act 1981 applies in respect of the Proclamation.
(5) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, it is hereby declared that—
- (a) The rights of the Crown arising out of the Proclamation are and have always been assets (within the meaning of section 29(1) of the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986) that were transferred pursuant to section 23 of that Act by the Crown to the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand Limited (hereafter in this subsection called “the Corporation”) by the deed dated the 31st day of March 1988 between—
  - (i) The Minister of Finance and the Minister for State Owned Enterprises acting jointly for Her Majesty the Queen in right of New Zealand; and
  - (ii) The Corporation; and
- (b) In accordance with clause 3.1 of that deed, Transpower New Zealand Limited was the purchaser of those rights; and
- (c) The value of those rights is and has always been included in the purchase price referred to in clause 2.1 of that deed.
(6) Nothing in this section affects the question whether or not the Proclamation was validly issued.

Subsection (5)(b) was amended, as from 17 November 1997, by clause 3(1) State-Owned Enterprises (Transpower New Zealand Limited) Order 1997 (SR 1997/299) by substituting the words “Transpower New Zealand Limited” for the words “Trans Power New Zealand Limited”.

Amendment to Electricity Act 1968

178 Rights of entry for energy companies

The Electricity Act 1968 is hereby amended by inserting, after section 15A (as inserted by section 4 of the Electricity Amendment Act 1983), the following section:
“15B

“(1) Subject to section 15A of this Act, an electricity operator (being an energy company) may—

“(a) Enter upon any land for the purposes of gaining access to any works—

“(i) That are owned or operated by the electricity operator; and

“(ii) Either—

“(A) That were constructed, erected, or laid (in whole or in part) on, under, or over that land before the date of the commencement of this section under the authority of any enactment; or

“(B) That were wholly or partly in existence, or work on the construction, erection, or laying of which commenced, before that date; and

“(b) Inspect, maintain, repair, or operate any such works; and

“(c) In the case of works the construction, erection, or laying of which had not been completed before the date of the commencement of this section, complete the works.

“(2) A certificate signed by an electricity operator containing a statement that any specified works were constructed, erected, or laid (in whole or in part) before the date of the commencement of this section under the authority of a specified enactment shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings and shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, constitute proof of that statement.

“(3) In this section, the term energy company means an energy company within the meaning of the Energy Companies Act 1992; and includes any company or other entity that is deemed, by section 78 or section 81 of that Act, to be an energy company for the purposes of sections 36, 37, 39 to 46, 85, 87, and 88 of that Act.”

Amendment to Electrical Registration Act 1979

179 Certificate of compliance where prescribed electrical work covered by building consent

The Electrical Registration Act 1979 is hereby amended by inserting, after section 38, the following section:
“38A

“Where—

“(a) A building consent is issued under the Building Act 1991 by a territorial authority in respect of any prescribed electrical work; and

“(b) This Act requires that the work be inspected, tested, and approved,—

“then, as soon as practicable after that approval is given,—

“(c) The Electrical Supply Authority by or on whose authority the approval is given; or

“(d) The Secretary, in any case where the approval is given by a person authorised in that behalf by the Secretary,—

“shall ensure that there is supplied to the territorial authority that issued the building consent a written notice certifying that the work complies with the requirements of the Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976.”

Transitional provisions

180 Transitional provision relating to electricity agreements

Notwithstanding the repeals effected by section 173(1) of this Act, where any electricity agreement was registered under any of the provisions of sections 50 to 52 of the Electricity Act 1968 immediately before the commencement of this section, those provisions shall continue to apply to that agreement as if this Act had not been passed.

181 Electricity distributors to ensure provision of inspection services

(1) This section applies to every electricity distributor—
- (a) That, immediately before the date of the commencement of this section, was the holder of a licence issued under section 20 of the Electricity Act 1968 and in force immediately before that date; or
- (b) That is the successor of a person or body that, immediately before that date, was the holder of such a licence.
(2) Every electricity distributor to which this section applies shall, during the period of 1 year beginning on the date of the commencement of this section, ensure that there is available, within the area that, immediately before the commencement of this section, was specified in the licence held by that electricity distributor or the person or body of which that electricity distributor is the successor, such number of persons as is sufficient to ensure that persons wishing to have prescribed electrical work tested, certified, or inspected for the purposes of section 114(1) of this Act are able to have that testing, certification, and inspection carried out promptly and efficiently and at a reasonable cost.

182 Transitional provisions relating to proceedings, etc

(1) All investigations, inquiries, and other proceedings of a disciplinary nature under the Electrical Registration Act 1979, and all appeals under section 43 or section 44 of that Act, that have been commenced before the commencement of this section and have not been completed before that date shall be continued and completed as if this Act had not been passed.

(2) All investigations, inquiries, and other proceedings of a disciplinary nature under the Electric Linemen Act 1959, and all appeals under section 21 of that Act, that have been commenced before the commencement of this section and have not been completed before that date shall be continued and completed as if this Act had not been passed.
(3) Where—
- (a) Before the commencement of this section,—
  - (i) Any person (being the holder of a certificate of competency as an electric lineman under the Electric Linemen Act 1959) has engaged in conduct that would, in the opinion of the Board, have justified the taking of proceedings of a disciplinary nature under section 18A of that Act; or
  - (ii) Any person (being registered under the Electrical Registration Act 1979 or being the holder of a provisional licence issued under that Act or being a qualified engineer) has engaged in conduct that would, in the opinion of the Board, have justified the taking of proceedings of a disciplinary nature under section 29 or section 40 of that Act; and
- (b) Disciplinary proceedings could have been taken against that person under Part 11 of this Act if that conduct had been engaged in by that person after the commencement of this section; and
- (c) No proceedings of a disciplinary nature have been taken against that person in respect of that conduct under the Electric Linemen Act 1959 or the Electrical Registration Act 1979,—
the following provisions shall apply:
- (d) Disciplinary proceedings may be taken against that person under Part 11 of this Act as if that conduct had been engaged in by that person after the commencement of this section:
- (e) If the person is found guilty of a disciplinary offence under Part 11 of this Act in respect of that conduct,—
  - (i) That person may be dealt with under this Act; but
  - (ii) Except with the consent of that person, neither the Board nor any court shall have power to make against that person, in respect of that conduct, any order in the nature of a penalty that could not have been made against that person at the time when that person engaged in that conduct.

Section 47

[Repealed]

Schedule 1 was repealed, as from the close of 31 March 1997, by section 55 of this Act.

Section 157

1 Presiding Member and Deputy Presiding Member

(1) At its first meeting in each year beginning with the 1st day of January, the Board shall elect one of its members to be its Presiding Member, and another to be its Deputy Presiding Member.

(2) Every person elected as Presiding Member or Deputy Presiding Member, unless he or she sooner resigns or vacates office as a member of the Board, shall hold office until his or her successor is elected under this clause, and shall be eligible for re-election.

(3) If any person who is for the time being holding office as Presiding Member or Deputy Presiding Member vacates office as a member of the Board, an election to fill the vacancy in the office of Presiding Member or Deputy Presiding Member shall be held at the first meeting of the Board held after the vacancy on the Board has been filled.

(4) Where the office of Presiding Member or Deputy Presiding Member becomes vacant in any other case, the Board shall elect one of its members to fill that vacancy as soon as practicable after its occurrence.

(5) During every vacancy in the office of Presiding Member, or while the Presiding Member is for any reason unable to perform the functions, powers, and duties of the Presiding Member, the Deputy Presiding Member shall perform the functions, powers, and duties of the Presiding Member.

2 Term of office

Every member of the Board—
- (a) Shall be appointed by notice published in the Gazette:
- (b) Shall be appointed for a term not exceeding 3 years:
- (c) Shall take office from the date of the notice of appointment or such later date as may be specified in the notice:
- (d) Shall be eligible for reappointment.

3 Continuation in office after term expires

Notwithstanding clause 2 of this Schedule, every member of the Board whose term of office has expired shall, unless sooner vacating office under clause 4 of this Schedule, continue to hold office, by virtue of the appointment for the term that has expired, until—
- (a) That member is reappointed; or
- (b) A successor to that member is appointed; or
- (c) That member is informed in writing by the Minister that the member is not to be reappointed and that a successor to that member is not to be appointed.

4 Extraordinary vacancies

(1) Any member of the Board may at any time be removed from office by the Minister for inability to perform the functions of the office, bankruptcy, neglect of duty, or misconduct, proved to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(2) Any member of the Board may at any time resign his or her office by giving written notice to that effect to the Minister.

(3) Every member of the Board who becomes ineligible for appointment to the Board under the provision of section 150 of this Act under which the member was appointed shall cease to be a member of the Board.

(4) If a member dies, resigns, is removed from office, or ceases to be a member in accordance with subclause (3) of this clause, the vacancy so created shall be deemed to be an extraordinary vacancy.

(5) An extraordinary vacancy may be filled by the appointment of a person by the Minister.

(6) Every person appointed to fill an extraordinary vacancy shall be appointed for the residue of the term for which the vacating member was appointed.

Subclause (1) was amended, as from 1 January 2002, by section 70(1) Human Rights Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 96), by substituting the words “inability to perform the functions of the office” for the word “disability”.

5 Proceedings not invalidated through vacancy in membership

No act or proceeding of either body, or of any person acting as a member of either body, shall be invalidated because there was a vacancy in the membership of the body at the time of the act or proceeding, or because of the subsequent discovery that there was a defect in the appointment of a person so acting, or that the person was incapable of being, or had ceased to be, a member.

6 Appointment of deputies

(1) The Minister may appoint any person to be the deputy of the Presiding Member of the Board or of any other member of the Board.

(2) No person shall be appointed under subclause (1) of this clause as the deputy of any member of the Board unless that person is eligible to be appointed as a member of the Board.

(3) Where a member of the Board is appointed as the deputy of the Presiding Member of the Board and acts as the Presiding Member, the Minister may appoint some other qualified person in that person's place as a member of the Board.

(4) Any person who is appointed under this clause as the deputy of the Presiding Member of the Board or of any other member of the Board may attend any meeting of the Board in the place of the person whose deputy that person is.

(5) The fact that any person appointed under this clause acts as a member of the Board shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be sufficient evidence of the person's authority to do so.

7 Meetings

(1) Meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and places as the Board or its Presiding Member from time to time appoints.

(2) Meetings of a Committee shall be held at such times and places as the Committee or its Presiding Member from time to time appoints.

(3) At every meeting of the Board the quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall be 4 members.

(4) At every meeting of a Committee the quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall be 3 members.

8 Presiding Member to preside at meetings

(1) At every meeting of either body the Presiding Member of that body shall preside if he or she is present.

(2) If the Presiding Member is not present at any meeting of the Board, or if there is no Presiding Member of the Board, the Deputy Presiding Member, if present, shall preside.

(3) If neither the Presiding Member nor the Deputy Presiding Member are present at any meeting of the Board, or if there is no Presiding Member and no Deputy Presiding Member of the Board, the members present shall elect some member present to preside at that meeting, and the person so elected shall have and may exercise in such case all the powers and functions of the Presiding Member for the purposes of that meeting.

(4) If the Presiding Member is not present at any meeting of a Committee, or if there is no Presiding Member of a Committee, the members present shall elect some member present to preside at that meeting, and the person so elected shall have and may exercise in such case all the powers and functions of the Presiding Member for the purposes of that meeting.

9 Voting at meetings

(1) Every question before either body shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present at a meeting of the body.

(2) The member presiding at any such meeting shall have a deliberative vote, and, in the case of an equality of votes, shall also have a casting vote.

(3) A resolution assented to by letter, telegram, fax message, telex, or electronic message by all members of either body is as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the body duly called and constituted.

Subclause (3) was substituted, as from 15 November 2000, by section 8 Electricity Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 61).

10 Disqualification from attendance

No member of either body shall be entitled to be present or vote or otherwise participate in the capacity of a member of the body at any part of a meeting of the body where any matter relating to the member's registration, suspension, or discipline under this Act is being considered.

11 Procedure

Except as expressly provided in this Act, each body may regulate its procedure in such manner as it thinks fit.

12 Committees

(1) The Board may from time to time appoint committees, consisting of 2 or more members of the Board and such other persons (if any) as the Board thinks fit, to inquire into and report to the Board on such matters within the scope of its functions as are referred to them by the Board, or to exercise on behalf of the Board any of its functions or powers, and may from time to time delegate to any such committee any such function or power.

(2) Every committee appointed under this clause shall be subject in all things to the control of the Board, and may at any time be discharged, altered, or reconstituted by the Board.

(3) Subject to any general or special directions given or conditions imposed by the Board, any committee to which any function or power is delegated under this clause may exercise that function or power in the same manner and with the same effect as if it had been conferred directly by this Act and not by delegation.

(4) Every committee purporting to act pursuant to any delegation under this clause shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to be acting in accordance with the terms of the delegation.

(5) Any delegation under this clause may be revoked at any time.

(6) No delegation under this clause shall prevent the exercise of any function or power by the Board.

13 Remuneration and travelling allowances

(1) There may be paid to the members of the Board, a Committee, and the members of any committee appointed by the Board, remuneration by way of fees, salary, or allowances, and travelling allowances and expenses, in accordance with the Fees and Travelling Allowances Act 1951, and the provisions of that Act shall apply accordingly.

(2) For the purposes of subclause (1) of this clause, the Board, every Committee, and every committee appointed by the Board is declared to be a statutory Board within the meaning of the Fees and Travelling Allowances Act 1951.

14 Application of certain Acts to members

No person shall be deemed to be employed in the service of the Crown for the purposes of the State Sector Act 1988 or the Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956 by reason only of that person's appointment as a member of the Board, a Committee, or any committee appointed by the Board.

15 Seal

The Board shall have a seal, which shall be judicially noticed in all courts and for all purposes.

16 Annual report

(1) The Board shall in each year furnish to the Minister a report on the operation of the Board in that year.

(2) A copy of every annual report of the Board shall be laid before the House of Representatives not later than 6 sitting days after the date on which it is received by the Minister.

17 Members not personally liable

No member of either body shall be personally liable for any act or default done or made by the body, or by any member of the body, in good faith in the course of the operations of the body.

s 172V

[Repealed]

Schedule 2A was inserted, as from 8 August 2001, by section 18 Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40). See section 19 of that Act (as to the transitional provision for Transpower's pricing methodology on and after 26 July 2001); section 20 (as to the savings provision for Transpower's pricing methodology before 26 July 2001); and section 21 (as to validations of actions by persons without electricity operator status).
Clause 23(2) was amended, as from 18 October 2004, by section 26(1) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80) by substituting the expression “2” for the expression “7”.
Clause 23(4) was inserted, as from 18 October 2004, by section 26(2) Electricity Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 80).
Schedule 2A was repealed, as from 25 January 2005, by section 200 Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Clause 9(1)(d) was to be amended, as from 26 April 2005, by section 7 Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005 (2005 No 3) by substituting the words “spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner” for the words “or spouse”. However, this amendment was redundant as Schedule 2A had already been repealed, see above.

Section 173(1)

1891, No 4 (Private)—The Wellington Electric Lighting Act 1891.
1897, No 1 (Private)—The Hawera Gasworks and Electric Lighting Act 1897.
1898, No 24 (Local)—The Petone Corporation Lighting and Sanitation Loans Empowering Act 1898.
1899, No 18 (Local)—The Ohinemuri County Electric Power and Lighting Act 1899.
1899, No 2 (Private)—The Wellington Electric Lighting Act 1891 Amendment Act 1899.
1900, No 15 (Local)—The Greytown Electric Lighting and Loan Empowering Act 1900.
1900, No 17 (Local)—The Auckland Electric Lighting Act 1900.
1900, No 18 (Local)—The Queenstown Electric Lighting Act 1900.
1902, No 13 (Local)—The City of Christchurch Electric Power and Loan Empowering Act 1902.
1902, No 1 (Private)—The Hawera County Electric Lighting Act 1902.
1903, No 4 (Local)—The Borough of Gore Electric Power Empowering Act 1903.
1903, No 8 (Local)—The Dunedin City and Suburban Tramways and Water-power Act 1903.
1903, No 18 (Local)—The Wanganui Suburbs Lighting Act 1903.
1903, No 27 (Local)—The Otago Dock Trust Electric Lighting Act 1903.
1903, No 40 (Local)—The Borough of Dannevirke Electric Power and Loan Empowering Act 1903.
1904, No 5 (Private)—The Waipori Falls Electrical Power Act 1904.
1905, No 25 (Local)—The Dunedin City and Suburban Tramways and Water-power Act 1903 Amendment Act 1905.
1907, No 4 (Local)—The New Plymouth Borough Electric and Waterworks Loans Validation Act 1907.
1908, No 37 (Local)—The Ross Goldfields Electric Power Transmission Act 1908.
1910, No 80—The Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act 1910: Section 76.
1911, No 28 (Local)—The Auckland Electric-power Station Site Act 1911.
1911, No 30 (Local)—The Dunedin City and Suburban Tramways and Water-power Amendment Act 1911.
1913, No 4 (Local)—The Christchurch Electrical Supply Empowering Act 1913.
1915, No 9 (Local)—The Christchurch Electrical Supply Amendment Act 1915.
1915, No 68—The Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act 1915: Section 90.
1916, No 14—The Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act 1916: Section 56.
1919, No 1 (Local)—The Tauranga Borough Council Electric Loans Empowering Act 1919.
1921, No 5 (Local)—The Tauranga Borough Council Electric Loan Empowering Act 1921.
1924, No 4 (Local)—The Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board Enabling Act 1924.
1925, No 38—The Electric Power Boards Act 1925: Sections 79, 80, 84, 86, 87, 88, and 89 (RS Vol 28, p 197).
1925, No 46—The Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act 1925: Section 125.
1928, No 21 (Local)—The Wairarapa Electric Power Board Empowering Act 1928.
1929, No 14 (Local)—The Christchurch City Electricity and General Empowering Act 1929.
1945, No 8 (Local)—The Waimairi County Electrical Supply and Christchurch City Empowering Act 1945.
1948, No 6 (Local)—The Invercargill City Gasworks and Electricity Empowering Act 1948.
1950, No 34—The Harbours Act 1950: The proviso to section 173(1)(l) (RS Vol 2, p 551).
1950, No 3 (Local)—The Palmerston North City Gasworks and Electricity Empowering Act 1950.
1950, No 4 (Local)—The Hutt Valley Electric Power Board Empowering Act 1950.
1951, No 4 (Local)—The Lyttelton Borough Gasworks and Electricity Empowering Act 1951.
1956, No 40—The Housing Amendment Act 1956 (RS Vol 7, p 326).
1958, No 10 (Local)—The South Canterbury Electric Power Board Validation Act 1958.
1959, No 46—The Electric Linemen Act 1959 (Reprinted 1976, Vol 4, p 3445).
1965, No 22 (Local)—The Tauranga City Council and Tauranga Electric Power Board Empowering Act 1965.
1966, No 33—The Electric Linemen Amendment Act 1966 (Reprinted 1976, Vol 4, p 3462).
1966, No 1 (Local)—The New Plymouth City Electricity and Gas Empowering Act 1966.
1968, No 125—The Electricity Act 1968 (RS Vol 6, p 271).
1969, No 45—The Electricity Amendment Act 1969 (RS Vol 6, p 309).
1970, No 132—The Electric Linemen Amendment Act 1970 (Reprinted 1976, Vol 4, p 3463).
1972, No 9 (Local)—The Taupo Borough Council Empowering (Electricity) Act 1972.
1975, No 14—The Electric Linemen Amendment Act 1975 (Reprinted 1976, Vol 4, p 3464).
1976, No 38—The Electricity Amendment Act 1976 (RS Vol 6, p 310).
1978, No 11 (Local)—The Auckland Electric Power Board Act 1978: Sections 62, 65, 68(b), 70 to 73, and 107.
1979, No 139—The Electrical Registration Act 1979.
1980, No 56—The Electricity Amendment Act 1980.
1980, No 57—The Electric Power Boards Amendment Act 1980: Section 5 (RS Vol 28, p 291).
1981, No 4 (Local)—The Auckland Electric Power Board Amendment Act 1981: Section 9.
1982, No 52—The Electrical Registration Amendment Act 1982.
1982, No 69—The Electricity Amendment Act 1982.
1982, No 6 (Local)—The Waitemata Electric Power Board (Electric Transmission Lines and Substations) Validation Act 1982.
1983, No 123—The Electricity Amendment Act 1983.
1985, No 174—The Electric Linemen Amendment Act 1985.
1986, No 2—The Electricity Amendment Act 1986.
1987, No 109—The Electricity Operators Act 1987.
1987, No 111—The Electricity Amendment Act 1987.
1987, No 200—The Finance Act 1987: Section 9(1).
1987, No 1 (Local)—The Taupo Borough Council Empowering Act 1987.
1988, No 7 (Local)—The Waikato Electricity Authority Act 1988: Sections 51 to 66.
1990, No 95—The Electricity Amendment Act 1990.

Section 173(2)

Enactment Amended	Amendment
1959, No 98—The Public Bodies Contracts Act 1959 (RS Vol 27, p 795)	By omitting from Part 2 of Schedule 1, from the item relating to the Rural Electrical Reticulation Council (as inserted by section 48(2) of the Electricity Act 1968), the item “1968, No 125—The Electricity Act 1968”, and substituting the item “1992, No 122—The Electricity Act 1992”.
No 25—The Mining Act 1971 (RS Vol 17, p 355)	By repealing so much of Schedule 2 as relates to the Electricity Act 1968.
1974, No 66—The Local Government Act 1974 (RS Vol 25, p 1)	By omitting from paragraph (b) of section 520 (as substituted by section 71(2) of the Gas Act 1982) the words “Gas Act 1982”, and substituting the words “Gas Act 1992”.
	By repealing section 522.
	By omitting from section 525 (as enacted by section 2 of the Local Government Amendment Act 1979 and amended by section 71(2) of the Gas Act 1982) the words “, subject to the Gas Act 1982”.
	By omitting from section 532 (as so enacted and so amended) the words “and the Gas Act 1982”.
1981, No 35—The Public Works Act 1981	By repealing paragraph (a) of section 111A(1) (as inserted by section 2 of the Public Works Amendment Act (No 3) 1987).
1981, No 119—The New Zealand Railways Corporation Act 1981	By inserting in section 35(4), after the words “Telecommunications Act 1987” as inserted by section 25(2) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act 1988,) the words “, the Electricity Act 1992, and the Gas Act 1992”.
1986, No 124—The State Owned Enterprises Act 1986	By repealing clauses 2 to 9 and 12 to 14 of Part 2 of Schedule 4, and clauses 43 and 44 of Part 4 of that Schedule.
1986, No 127—The Environment Act 1986	By omitting from the Schedule the item “The Electricity Act 1968”, and substituting the item “The Electricity Act 1992”.
1987, No 65—The Conservation Act 1987	By repealing paragraph (l) of section 48A(1) (as inserted by section 27 of the Conservation Law Reform Act 1990), and substituting the following paragraph: “(l) Prohibiting, restricting, or regulating the use of electric fishing devices for the taking of freshwater fish or sports fish, including (without limitation)— “(i) Prohibiting the use of electric fishing devices except in accordance with the written authority of both the Director-General and a Fish and Game Council, and exempting or providing for the exemption of any person or class of persons from any such prohibition: “(ii) Prescribing conditions subject to which such authorisations may be given, or providing for the specifying of such conditions by the person or body that grants the authorisation: “(iii) Providing for the variation or withdrawal of any such authorisation (which may include withdrawal on the grounds of the commission of an offence against the Fisheries Act 1983 or this Act, or against any regulations made under that Act or this Act, where the offence involves the possession or use of an electric fishing device), and for the revocation, variation, and addition of any condition of any such authorisation: “(iv) Providing for appeals against refusals to grant any such authorisation:”
1989, No 44—The Public Finance Act 1989	By repealing so much of Schedule 1 as relates to—
	(a) The Electric Linemen Act 1959:
	(b) The Electricity Act 1968:
	(c) The Electrical Registration Act 1979.
1989, No 140—The Ministry of Energy (Abolition) Act 1989	By omitting from section 22(1) the expression “Electricity Act 1986”, and substituting the expression “Electricity Act 1992”.
	By repealing so much of Schedule 1 as relates to—
	(a) The Electric Linemen Act 1959:
	(b) The Electricity Act 1968:
	(c) The Electrical Registration Act 1979.
	By repealing so much of Schedule 3 as relates to—
	(a) The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976:
	(b) The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 1 :
	(c) The Electrical Registration Regulations 1980:
	(d) The Electrical Supply Regulations 1984.
1989, No 148—The Radio-communications Act 1989	By omitting from the definition of the term “interfering equipment” in section 2(1) the words “an electric line within the meaning of the Electricity Act 1968”, and substituting the words “any works within the meaning of the Electricity Act 1992”.
1990, No 31—The Conservation Law Reform Act 1990	By omitting from section 39(1) the words “Subject to subsection (2) of this section,”.
1990, No 31—The Conservation Law Reform Act 1990		By omitting from section 39(1) the expression “section 48A”, and substituting the expression “sections 48 and 48A”.
	By repealing section 39(2).
	By inserting in section 39(3), after the word “under”, the expression “section 48 or”.
1991, No 60—The Judicature Amendment Act 1991	By repealing so much of the Schedule as relates to the Electrical Registration Act 1979.

1992, No 96—The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992	By omitting from section 26(2)(b) the words “or the Transport Accident Investigation Commission Act 1990”, and substituting the words “the Transport Accident Investigation Commission Act 1990, the Electricity Act 1992, or the Gas Act 1992”.

Schedule 4 was amended, as from 7 July 1993, by section 83(3) Resource Management Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 65) by omitting so much as relates to section 166 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (1991 No 69).
Schedule 4 was amended, as from 16 May 1996, by section 37(1) Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1996 (1996 No 22) by omitting an item relating to the Submarine Cables and Pipeline Protection Act 1966.
An item amending the Mining Act 1971 was impliedly repealed by section 62(1) Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (1992 No 96).

Section 173(3)

Title	Statutory Regulations Serial Number
The Electric Linemen Regulations 1960...................................................................	1960/154
The Electric Linemen Regulations 1960, Amendment No 2...................................................................	1967/196
The Electric Linemen Regulations 1960, Amendment No 3...................................................................	1971/128
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976...................................................................	1976/38
The Electric Linemen Regulations 1960, Amendment No 4...................................................................	1976/46
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 1...................................................................	1979/184
The Electrical Registration Regulations 1980...................................................................	1980/225
The Electric Linemen Regulations 1960, Amendment No 5...................................................................	1981/21
The Electric Linemen Regulations 1960, Amendment No 6...................................................................	1983/203
The Electrical Supply Regulations 1984...................................................................	1984/167
The Electrical Supply Regulations 1984, Amendment No 1...................................................................	1986/243
The Electrical Registration Regulations 1980, Amendment No 1...................................................................	1987/89
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 2...................................................................	1987/90
The Electrical Supply Regulations 1984, Amendment No 2...................................................................	1987/91
Revocation of Electricity Control Regulations...................................................................	1987/98
Revocation of Electricity Control Orders...................................................................	1987/100
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 3...................................................................	1987/178
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 4...................................................................	1987/391
The Electrical Registration Regulations 1980, Amendment No 2...................................................................	1987/408
The Electricity Operator Order 1988...................................................................	1988/66
The Electrical Supply Regulations 1984, Amendment No 3...................................................................	1988/264
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 5...................................................................	1988/273
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 6...................................................................	1989/180
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 7...................................................................	1990/274
The Electrical Supply Regulations 1984, Amendment No 4...................................................................	1991/62
The Electrical Supply Regulations 1984, Amendment No 5...................................................................	1991/99
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 8...................................................................	1991/298

Section 174(1)

Title	Statutory Regulations Serial Number
The Trees (Electric Lines) Regulations 1986	1986/315
The Trees (Electric Lines) Regulations 1986, Amendment No 1...................................................................	1986/379

1General
2About this eprint
3List of amendments incorporated in this eprint (most recent first)

Notes

1 General

This is an eprint of the Electricity Act 1992. It incorporates all the amendments to the Act as at 23 December 2008. The list of amendments at the end of these notes specifies all the amendments incorporated into this eprint since 3 September 2007. Relevant provisions of any amending enactments that contain transitional, savings, or application provisions are also included, after the Principal enactment, in chronological order.

2 About this eprint

This eprint has not been officialised. For more information about officialisation, please see “Making online legislation official” under “Status of legislation on this site” in the About section of this website.

3 List of amendments incorporated in this eprint (most recent first)

Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Act 2008 (2008 No 111)

Electricity Industry Reform Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 71): section 30

Commerce Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 70): section 29

Electricity (Renewable Preference) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 86)

Electricity Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 53)

Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 47): section 50(1)

Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 29)

Electricity Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 53)

Electricity Act 1992