Electrification NZ

2026 election

Party policies on electrification

Recent official policies, party positions, and coalition-government actions are shown separately. Older announcements and media summaries are excluded.

Current policies and positions

Announcements are listed by party rather than forced into fixed policy categories.

NationalNew Zealand National Party
Current coalition government

  • Electricity-market competition rules

    New Electricity Authority rules prevent the four largest gentailers from favouring their own retail businesses when supplying hedge contracts.

    Current government action · 26 May 2026Official source

  • Smart EV-charger requirements

    New chargers above 2.4 kW will need smart functionality and labelling so charging can shift away from high-demand periods.

    Current government action · 5 May 2026Official source

  • EV charging rollout and simpler consenting

    The Government removed district-level consenting barriers and cited $52.7 million of zero-interest loans and co-investment for more than 2,500 additional public charging stations.

    Current government action · 9 April 2026Official source
LabourNew Zealand Labour Party

  • SolarSaver household and community solar

    Labour proposes government-backed low-interest finance, targeted subsidies, plug-in solar for renters, and a $30 million community-battery fund within a $160 million four-year programme.

    2026 election policy · 8 July 2026Official source

  • Weekly public-transport fare cap

    Labour proposes a $20 weekly cap in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch and $10 elsewhere from 1 July 2027.

    2026 election policy · 10 June 2026Official source

  • Business electrification support

    Labour says government should partner with businesses to electrify, but detailed industry measures have not yet been released.

    Current party position · 18 May 2026Official source
GreensGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

  • Kiwipower public generation company

    The Greens propose a publicly owned company to invest in renewable generation, address dry-year security, and support independent electricity-market participants.

    2026 election policy · 20 July 2026Official source

  • Zero-interest solar and battery loans

    The policy includes zero-interest clean-energy loans, a renters' right to solar, and legalised plug-in solar systems.

    2026 election policy · 20 July 2026Official source

  • Community and public-housing renewables

    The Greens propose $200 million for community-owned renewable energy, solar on more than half of public homes within four years, and $80 million for renewable energy in Māori housing.

    2026 election policy · 20 July 2026Official source

  • Expanded Warmer Kiwi Homes

    The Greens propose widening the home-upgrade programme, including support for households transitioning away from gas.

    2026 election policy · 20 July 2026Official source

  • Free public transport

    The Greens proposed making public transport free as part of a fossil-fuel-crisis relief package intended to reduce petrol demand and household travel costs.

    Current party position · 23 March 2026Official source
ACTACT New Zealand
Current coalition government

  • Market-led generation and near-term LNG backup

    ACT argues the electricity market should remain investment-led, supports LNG for near-term dry-year security, and identifies transmission and distribution connections as a constraint on new generation.

    Current party position · 18 May 2026Official source

  • Battery-services market and simpler small-scale solar

    ACT supports faster development of frequency-service markets to improve battery economics and removing unnecessary procedures for residential and small commercial solar.

    Current party position · 18 May 2026Official source
NZ FirstNew Zealand First
Current coalition government

  • National subsurface energy survey

    NZ First proposes an initial $1 billion survey covering oil and gas basins, geothermal resources, and potential carbon-storage sites.

    2026 election policy · 20 July 2026Official source

  • Business gas-transition support and fuel reserves

    NZ First says Budget 2026 includes $1.2 billion to help businesses transition from gas and $150 million for additional strategic fuel reserves.

    Current government action · 28 May 2026Official source

  • Marsden Point special economic zone

    NZ First proposes a special economic zone focused on energy generation and distribution, maritime activity, and reduced planning constraints.

    2026 election policy · 24 May 2026Official source

  • Power-company restructuring and generation contracts

    NZ First proposes separating generation and retail businesses, changing market rules, and guaranteeing long-term fixed-price contracts and priority use for new-build generation.

    2026 election policy · 23 March 2026Official source

  • Household solar net metering

    NZ First proposes allowing households that generate electricity, such as rooftop solar owners, to sell it to the grid at the same price they pay.

    2026 election policy · 23 March 2026Official source
Te Pāti MāoriTe Pāti Māori

  • Storage and flexible electricity demand

    Te Pāti Māori argues energy security should prioritise storage and demand flexibility rather than an LNG import facility.

    Current party position · 9 June 2026Official source

  • Rooftop solar, feed-in tariffs, and community microgrids

    The party supports geothermal and rooftop solar, fair payment for exported household electricity, and locally controlled microgrids.

    Current party position · 9 June 2026Official source
TOPThe Opportunity Party

  • Business EV tax incentives

    TOP proposes immediate depreciation and a two-year fringe-benefit-tax exemption for new business EVs costing up to $50,000, with both measures ending in 2030.

    2026 election policy · 21 May 2026Official source

  • Universal free public transport

    TOP proposes permanent fare-free public transport nationwide, estimating a net operating cost of about $150 million per year after ticketing savings.

    2026 election policy · 4 May 2026Official source

Policy theme key

  • Renewable power
  • Grid and electricity market
  • Batteries and flexibility
  • Electric vehicles and charging
  • Public transport
  • Homes and buildings
  • Industry and fuel security

Flag marks a member of the current coalition government.

Policy tracker methodOfficial sources and freshness rules

What is included

Official party policy pages, campaign releases, and speeches published within the previous 4 months. Distinct commitments from one announcement may be listed separately when that makes the policy easier to scan.

How labels work

Election policies, current party positions, and actions taken by the coalition government are labelled separately. The tracker does not infer promises from media coverage, voting history, or older policy documents.

Sources last checked 22 July 2026. Announcements older than four months are not shown.