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Fundamentals of the New Zealand Electricity Industry

Fundamentals of the NZ Electricity Industry

As a non-technical manager working in or with the NZ electricity industry, this course will give you a strong foundation knowledge and general understanding of how the New Zealand electricity industry operates from a technical, business and political perspective. Learn about the principles underpinning electricity market functions, the roles of key industry players and regulators, impacts of potential reform and forces shaping the power industry, including landscape shifting changes such as electric vehicles. Gain insight into key global trends that are likely to shape NZ industry and much more.

Gain a rounded-off understanding of the environment in which you operate and what forces are working to influence the success of your organisation. Understand the shape of the market, the key players, key technical concepts & how the electricity industry operates including: generation, transmission, distribution and retail sectors.

Key Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the shape of the market and how it works
  • Gain an understanding of electricity industry jargon and technical terms
  • Understand how the electricity industry operates including: Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Retail sectors
  • Understand key legislation and market influences such as weather, price and the role of regulators
  • Get an outlook on future trends for the industry, new opportunities & challenges
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The Shocking Truth about Electricity

  • What is it/common terms/understanding the lingo
  • How is it made
  • Types of generators
  • High and low voltage
  • Mains power or batteries
  • Facts and figures

The Supply Chain and Who is Who

  • Who are the generators
  • Who are the generators?
  • Transpower, transmission and their role
  • The Lines companies
    • Who owns them?
    • Why so many?
  • Retailers and Gentailers

The Distribution Network

  • Transmission vs. Distribution
  • How are networks built
  • Everyone is different
  • Common performance measures

Markets and Financial Transactions

  • Market size
  • Where do the costs lie?
  • What is the Wholesale Market and how does it work?
  • The system operator
  • Spot prices and forward markets
  • Who pays money to who

Electricity Pricing

  • Turbulent history of price setting and balancing
  • Electricity Price Review
  • Current pricing reform
    • Cost reflective pricing
    • TPM – transmission pricing methodology

The Customer

  • Often forgotten
  • What do we know about customers?
  • Major categories
  • Retail Competition
    • Churn/switching
  • What are their rights
    • Contracts and obligations
  • Who are their advocates?
    • Major Electricity Users Group
    • Consumer NZ
    • Utilities Disputes
    • Grey Power

Regulation

  • A regulated and competitive market
    • History of change/reform
    • The Code
  • Electricity Authority (and the Electricity Commission)
  • Commerce Commission
    • Price / Quality
    • Excess profit
  • Utilities Disputes
  • WorkSafe
  • Other regulation

Government Overview

  • An essential service becoming more essential
  • Government policy (and promises)
  • MBIE – the primary Government policy and monitoring agency
  • The role of the politicians

The Energy Sector

  • NZ – the lucky country
  • Transport; heat and electricity
  • Energy sectors
  • Climate change and the way forward
  • The third energy transition

Disruptive Technology

  • Transitions – smooth or bumpy?
  • The myths
  • Electric Vehicles – the opportunity and the challenge
  • Solar PV and battery systems – what’s really going on?

New Opportunities and Challenges

  • Decarbonisation – the biggest change since electricity was first harnessed
  • Electricity as a major mitigation of climate change
  • The digital utility
  • DERs
  • NZ – what’s happening?
    • Net-Zero
    • Deindustrisation
    • Transport and process heat to progressively decarbonise
    • Hydrogen

Jonathan brings over 25 years’ experience working in the New Zealand electricity sector in a variety of roles spanning retail, networks, metering and adjacent technology sectors.  He has held senior leadership positions with Vector, Unison Networks and Landis+Gyr.

Jonathan is currently a Director of two electricity companies and is independent Chair of the Electricity Networks Association’s Smart Technology Working Group.

Jonathan has been at the forefront of change in the sector and has worked with a number of companies looking to commercialise emerging technologies as we move to a low emissions future.

Jonathan has a Master’s degree in Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and Finance.

He lives in Auckland with his wife Lisa.

Jonathan Kay

Facilitator

Register for this Event

This is a 2 day course.
Courses start 9am (coffee & registration from 8.30am) and run until 4.30pm / 5.00 pm each day.

Expand the dates for more details.

2 day course: Register $2499+gst by midnight, 17 September.
  • Last Minute $2699+gst per person
  • Cliftons, Wellington
Register now
2 day course: Register $2499+gst by midnight, 28 January, 2026.
  • Last Minute $2699+gst per person
  • Venue TBA, Christchurch
Register now
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This course is often viewed with

Fundamentals of Renewable Energy & Energy Transition in New Zealand

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Brightstar Spring Sale Promotion Terms & Conditions

1. The Offer

This promotional offer is for a 15% discount on the current advertised price of eligible Brightstar owned and partnered conferences and public training courses.

2. Promotional Period

The Spring Sale promotion is valid only from 13 October 2025 through 15 November 2025 (the “Promotion Period”).
All course and conference registrations must be fully completed, paid for, and confirmed by Brightstar within the Promotion Period to qualify for the discount.

3. Eligibility and Redemption

3.1 Eligible Products

The discount applies only to the standard price of Brightstar’s public training courses and conferences as listed on the Brightstar website.

3.2 How to Redeem

To receive the 15% discount, customers must enter the promotional code SPRING15 during the checkout process.

3.3 Exclusions and Limitations

The discount does not apply to, and cannot be used for:
• Custom, private, or in-house training programs.
• Courses or conferences already registered for, or attended, prior to the Promotion Period.
• Any associated costs, including but not limited to, taxes, travel, or accommodation.

3.4 Discount Stacking

This 15% discount cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion, coupon, or discount code. If an eligible course is already subject to another discount, the customer will receive the greater of the two discounts, but not both.

4. Payment and Enrollment

4.1 Full Payment Required

Full payment of the discounted course or conference fee is required at the time of registration. Enrollment is not confirmed until full payment is received and processed by Brightstar.

4.2 Standard Terms Apply

All bookings are subject to Brightstar’s standard terms and conditions of sale for training and conferences, which are available here.

5. Transfers, Cancellations, and Refunds

5.1 Refund Policy

In the event of a cancellation or request for a refund, the refund amount will be calculated based on the actual discounted price paid by the customer, not the original standard price. Standard Brightstar cancellation policies apply.

5.2 Registration Transfers

If a registration is transferred to another individual, no further or additional discount will be applied to the new registration.

6. General Provisions

6.1 Right to Modify

Brightstar reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate this promotion, including these Terms and Conditions, at any time without prior notice. However, all registrations completed and fully paid for prior to such modification or termination will be honored.

6.2 Acceptance of Terms

By proceeding with a registration using the promotional code [SPRING15], the customer agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.