Energy and Communications Branch
[ Last Updated 26 October 2006 ]
Acting Deputy Secretary: Stuart Calman
Energy and the Environment
This group provides policy advice on integration of energy and environment policy, on environment issues from a business perspective, and the quality of environmental regulation. The unit advises on climate change issues from an economic perspective, sustainable energy policy, water allocation, and RMA issues. It also manages New Zealand's relationship with, and participation in, the International Energy Agency and APEC processes.
Energy Information and Modelling
This group provides statistical information on, and projections of, energy supply and demand, energy sector greenhouse gas emissions and energy prices. Modelling capabilities are available for government departments and others to provide valued input to policy development, resource assessment and evaluation of investment opportunities.
Electricity
This group develops and implements policy for the electricity sector, including competition issues, electricity price monitoring, network issues and security of electricity supply. The group monitors the performance of the Electricity Commission and has ownership responsibility for the Whirinaki reserve generation plant.
Fuels and Crown Resources
This group has a range of policy responsibilities related to New Zealand's natural resources, including allocation and pricing of access, Treaty of Waitangi issues relating to natural resources; biofuels policy; oceans policy; bioprospecting and geothermal issues. This group also develops and implements policy for gas and oil markets, including competition issues, supply and demand assessments and regulation of networks.
ICT Regulatory
This group provides policy advice on the regulatory environment for the IT, telecommunications and postal sectors. This includes the efficient operation of the new telecommunications regulatory regime, provision of telecommunications service obligations such as the Kiwi Share, management of international obligations, and efficient operation of the postal market.
Digital Development
This group provides policy advice and operational resource to coordinate the Digital Strategy. The group also advises on the social, culture, environmental and economic impacts of information and communications technology, and aims to promote the development and uptake of e-commerce, ICT skills and ICT infrastructure across New Zealand.
Radio Spectrum Policy and Planning
This group is responsible for providing policy advice to the government on the allocation and management of the radio spectrum and related commercial broadcasting matters. It is also responsible for ensuring that spectrum allocations are planned in accordance with sound engineering principles. The objective is to ensure that the spectrum is used in a way that maximises its value to New Zealand society, by supporting sustainable economic development and social goals such as public safety and cultural expression.
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