From the Commissioner

As we move into the first days of autumn I realise that the year is well and truly underway. We have some good work underway already, with much more to come as the months unfold.

Early last month I had the privilege of travelling to Auckland to meet with the national executive of Grey Power regarding their concerns on smart meters. In an article last December Grey Power national president Les Howard highlighted his unease when he said the meters were "really dumb. It's a meter that's more sympathetic to the retailer than it is to the customer." (Timaru Herald, 12 Dec 2009). I look forward to addressing Grey Power’s AGM on the matter in April.

Another highlight of my trip was visiting the Greenpeace offices in Mt Eden. We had a very worthwhile and thought provoking discussion around climate change – a topic we both regard as hugely important for New Zealand, and indeed the world. I was also interested to hear in what they had to say about their work on oceans. Their focus on illegal and over-fishing in the Pacific will be a welcome addition to public debate.

Last week I made a submission on the Electricity Industry Bill, which aims to improve competition in the electricity market and improve security of supply. My advice  focused on one key aspect that will help  - the development of a smart electricity grid. This will also provide for significant environmental benefits.

Allocation of free carbon credits is a major feature of the Emissions Trading Scheme, and is critically important in determining how effective the ETS will be in reducing New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions.  This month I gave feedback on the proposed allocation regulations for industry, seeking to make them more stringent.

Finally, during the last session of the House a members bill in the name of David Clendon, Green Party MP, was drawn from the ballot.  This bill addresses some of the issues I raised in my Smart Meters report last year.  Since the release of the report, my staff and I have learned a great deal more about the subject.  This new information adds weight to the recommendations I made in my report. I believe it is very much in the public interest to have this bill considered in detail at select committee, and have written to party leaders seeking their support for this to happen.