Te Kore, Te Pō, Te Ao Marama | Energy Hardship - discussion paper

The Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission on The Energy Hardship Expert Panel (Expert Panel’s) Discussion Paper Te Kore, Te Pō, Te Ao Marama | Energy Hardship: The challenges and a way forward.

BRANZ commends the Expert Panel on the work done to date and the Challenges and Strategies articulated in the Discussion Paper and we support the overall direction outlined. For the greatest success of the desired outcomes outlined in the paper and to significantly shift the dial on energy hardship, we urge for stronger recognition of the importance of the following in the Expert Panel’s final report:

1. We recognise that different agencies may have different information needs, which will require bespoke approaches to collection of data about energy hardship. However, we believe that more needs to be done to ensure there is consistency of data, information and methodology across all areas, to ensure system stakeholders are confidently making decisions that are based on the best data available.
2. There is stronger alignment of funding, programmes and outcomes across all initiatives regardless of which agency is leading the work.

We build on the above points in more detail throughout this submission. BRANZ is committed to supporting this important multi-sector and multi-agency work and we are available to discuss this submission with the panel, should they have any questions in response.