Media Releases

EECA congratulates biofuel powered Earthrace

30 June 2008

The Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) today congratulated Earthrace and skipper Pete Bethune on being the fastest boat to circumnavigate the globe. The boat was powered by biodiesel.

Lights out for the incandescent bulb

17 June 2008

The traditional incandescent light bulb is on its way out, as part of a strategy for more energy efficient lighting announced today by Energy Minister David Parker and Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation Jeanette Fitzsimons.

EECA welcomes Mobil's move to biofuels

11 June 2008

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) today welcomed Mobil’s trial of two biofuel blends.

Wave energy popular with New Zealanders

05 June 2008

New Zealand’s waves and tides are a world-class resource for energy generation, and recent research by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) shows 75% of New Zealanders support marine energy as a future electricity generation option.

Tai Tokerau families benefit from warmer, healthier homes

05 June 2008

4,000 Tai Tokerau families will benefit from warmer, drier, healthier homes over the next five years, thanks to a new project being launched in Kaitaia today.

Easy steps to help the environment

05 June 2008

On World Environment Day, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is challenging all Kiwis to take one simple step to save energy and help the environment – get out of the car.

Chill your power bill

04 June 2008

Chill your power bill by getting rid of your old, inefficient fridge and looking for the ENERGY STAR® mark to find the most efficient new one.

Kiwis keen for renewable energy

30 May 2008

75% of New Zealanders support marine energy as a future electricity generation option, according to research released today by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Govt funding for Kaipara harbour tidal energy devices

29 May 2008

Energy Minister David Parker announces a project to generate electricity from the tides in Kaipara Harbour is to receive a grant of $1.85 million from the Marine Energy Deployment Fund.

Bright future for energy efficient hot water technologies

28 May 2008

Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Jeanette Fitzsimons, today announced that 31 projects with a combined value of $950,000 have been offered funding under the second round of a government fund to encourage smart innovations in solar water heating and heat pump water heating technologies.

Increase to grants for solar water heating

23 May 2008

Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Jeanette Fitzsimons, today announced changes to the solar water heating grants scheme for homeowners, including an increase to the grant from $500 to $1000.

Warm homes help prevent asthma

7 May 2008

“Get serious about preventing respiratory illness by taking steps to make your home warmer, drier and healthier” - that’s the message to New Zealanders from Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Chief Executive Mike Underhill on the eve of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation’s annual Balloon Day, held on 10 May.

Tips to save electricity this winter

7 May 2008

Kiwi families have a chance to save money on their household power bills by adopting some simple, everyday actions to use electricity more efficiently and stop any unnecessary waste this winter.

Pull the plug on your old, inefficient fridge

2 May 2008

Old fridges are bad news. They waste loads of energy and money, and they’re not good for the environment. The good news is that if you live in the Wellington City or Porirua areas you can have your old fridge or freezer taken away for free – and you’ll get $25 for it.

0800 Helpline for Home Energy Advice Centre

31 March 2008

A new 0800 phone line providing free, impartial, expert advice is now available for people in the Wellington region wanting to discuss their home energy needs.

Landlords and tenants encouraged to apply for initiative to insulate rental properties

28 March 2008

Landlords across New Zealand are being encouraged to take advantage of a limited government offer which gives a discount of up to 55 per cent on the cost of installing insulation and energy efficiency measures for their rental properties.

International biofuels and electric vehicles experts come to Wellington

27 March 2008

Six international speakers will join local experts to discuss the future of biofuels and electric vehicles in New Zealand at a conference in Wellington next week.

Helping hand for car buyers looking for savings

26 March 2008

Car buyers wanting to save money on their fuel bills will find it easier to choose a vehicle that goes further on a full tank, as a result of new fuel efficiency labels.

Kiwi Energy Efficiency Challenge

25 March 2008

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is challenging all New Zealanders to adopt two easy energy efficient actions that can become part of their everyday routine.

Loans scheme launched for ENERGYWISE™ homes

22 February 2008

The Labour-led Government’s interest subsidy for insulation, clean heating and other energy efficiency measures is now available through eleven partners across the country. This initiative will mean more Kiwi families will be able to enjoy the benefits of warmer, drier houses.

First New Zealand company prosecuted for breaching energy performance standards

21 February 2008

A Christchurch company today became the first business in New Zealand to be convicted for selling products that do not meet our Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).

Marine energy funding panel announced

15 February 2008

An international panel of renewable energy and business experts has been appointed to evaluate applications for funding to develop marine energy in New Zealand.

Noel Leeming New Zealand's first ENERGY STAR® retail partner

12 February 2008

Noel Leeming, New Zealand’s leading appliance and electronics retailer, has made a commitment to energy efficiency by becoming New Zealand’s first ENERGY STAR® retail partner.

We all have the power to reduce our energy use and help our environment

31 January 2008

Our Kiwi households and cars together use more energy than any other sector, making action in this area vital says Mike Underhill, Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

More energy efficiency information to give kiwi families the power to choose

29 January 2008

Kiwi families wanting to do their bit to save energy, look after their health, and save money at the same time, will benefit from a new information campaign by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), starting today.

No hassle ways to save money this Christmas

19 December 2007

Christmas can be an expensive time of year for most Kiwis, so many of us are keen to look for ways that we can save some money while still enjoying the holiday season.

Home Energy Rating helps home owners make smarter choices

17 December 2007

Release from Jeanette Fitzsimons, Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency.

New Zealand home owners can now get independent, tailored information on how they can live in warmer, healthier homes that cost less to run.

New tool in energy efficiency toolkit now available

17 December 2007

The Home Energy Ratings now available to New Zealand homeowners will for the first time make the energy efficiency of a home easily visible and measurable, says Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority Chief Executive Mike Underhill.

Partners sought for energy efficiency improvements

26 November 2007

More New Zealanders can look forward to enjoying the benefits of healthier and more energy efficient homes, as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority seeks partners to deliver interest free loans and grants to homeowners for energy efficiency and heating solutions.

New solution encourages solar uptake

15 November 2007

Property owners and building industry professionals can now look forward to smoother Building Code compliance and building consent processes for solar water heating installations.

Bright ideas fund for energy efficient hot water

2 November 2007

An Innovation Fund to encourage smart innovations that will lead to the uptake of solar water heating and heat pump water heating technologies was launched today by Jeanette Fitzsimmons, Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation.

Landlords and low-income tenants to benefit from 55 percent insulation subsidy

29 October

Landlords and their low-income tenants are the winners in a government scheme to meet up to 55 percent of the cost on insulation upgrades.

Health researcher wins major award

2 November 2007

A Wellington health researcher has won special recognition at the country’s top energy awards.

Prime-time TV show takes country’s Energywise Award

2 November 2007

A home-grown TV series that takes a fresh look at household waste has taken out the country’s top energy savings award.

Household savings from energy efficient bulbs mounting fast

28 October 2007

A campaign to put energy saving light bulbs into every New Zealand home is expected to save householders more $330 million.

Massey free bus service rides into top energy awards

28 October 2007

Massey University’s Free Bus service has been selected as a finalist in the country’s top energy savings awards.

Funding for marine energy generation trials

17 October 2007

Generating energy from waves or tides around New Zealand comes a step closer today, with the Government offering funding to set up generating devices.

Families, drivers, business and climate are energy efficiency winners

11 October 2007

The launch of the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NZEECS) is great news for families, drivers, business and efforts to tackle climate change, says the Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Jeanette Fitzsimons.

Westland solar plan leads the way for all councils

23 September 2007

Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Jeanette Fitzsimons, today congratulated Westland District Council for its initiative to encourage solar water heating by waiving building consent fees.

EECA delighted at Meridian Makara wind farm announcement

15 August 2007

Meridian’s announcement to proceed with its wind farm at Makara is great news for renewable energy in New Zealand says Mike Underhill, Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

EECA supports electric car drive

15 August 2007

The future is coming to New Zealand as a result of Meridian energy’s announcement of a trial of electric vehicles says Mike Underhill, Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

More biofuel facts, less biofuel scares needed

2 August 2007

There is no place for scaremongering following the launch of Gull’s 10 per cent bioethanol blended fuel for motorists says Mike Underhill, Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Biofuels available commercially for NZ motorists

01 August 2007

The Prime Minister Helen Clark poured the first bioethanol-blended petrol today in Auckland, as Gull New Zealand launched the first commercially available biofuel for New Zealand motorists.

Solar water heating grants for volume builders launched

16 July 2007

Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Jeanette Fitzsimons, today launched a grants scheme to encourage builders and developers to put solar water heating on more new homes.

Jeanette Fitzsimons' Speech Notes - Launch of SWH Volume Build Scheme

Monday 16 July

“ENERGY STAR®” helps warm freezing shortest day

22 June 2007

With winter’s bite clamping down, and freezing weather for the year’s shortest day set to keep us cooped up inside, New Zealanders will be thinking about how to keep a lid on their energy use.

$500 grants for solar water heating launched

25 May 2007

Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Jeanette Fitzsimons, today launched a cash grants scheme and a new website to help householders reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through the installation of solar hot water heating systems.

EECA congratulates Leopard Coachlines on taking biofuels to the streets

18 May 2007

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) congratulates Leopard Coachlines on being the first bus company in New Zealand to run their entire fleet of 100 diesel vehicles on a five percent biodiesel blend (B5).

Roger Sutton appointed EECA Chair

16 May 2007

Energy Minister David Parker today announced the appointment of Roger Sutton as chairperson of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

First day in the job for new EECA Chief Executive

9 May 2007

Mike Underhill took up his position as Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) today.

Study shows more renewable energy potential for Bay of Plenty

2 May 2007

A study out yesterday identifies 100MW of potential electricity generation from renewable resources in the Bay of Plenty region.

How to properly insulate your home for winter

10 April 2007

With winter rapidly approaching, it is time to start thinking about heating our homes as efficiently as we can. The first step to doing this is making sure they are properly insulated.