1. Pursuant to section 172I of the Electricity Act 1992,
I notify the amendment of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003 ("the Rules") under section 172H of the Electricity
Act 1992.
2. The empowering provisions for the electricity governance regulations in relation to which the Rules are made are sections 172D (1) (1) (b) of the Electricity Act 1992.
3. A brief description of the nature of the amendments is as follows:
? Rule 5.1.3 (including Rules 5.1.3.1 to 5.1.3.3 inclusive) of Code of Practice G1, Schedule G8 of Part G, is deleted and replaced with three new Rules (Rules 5.1.3, 5.1.3A and 5.1.3B) for clarity in relation to:
non half-hour meter reading during period of supply;
non half-hour meter reading on annual basis; and
non half-hour meter reading every four months.
4. The amendment is made in reliance on section 172F (3) of the Electricity Act 1992.
5. Pursuant to section 172Z (4) of the Electricity Act 1992, the reasons for my decision to amend the Rules are that the amendments:
? remove ambiguity in the Rules;
? enable consistency in reporting;
? ensure that the results can be meaningfully used as a basis for seeking improvements; and
? also recognise that there are some meters that are either unsafe or unable to be accessed by a retailer despite best endeavours.
6. These Rules come into force on 13 January 2005.
7. Copies of the Rules may be inspected free of charge or purchased from the Electricity Commission, Level Seven, ASB Bank Tower, 2 Hunter Street, Wellington.
The Rules can also be viewed on the Electricity Commission web site:
http://www.electricitycommission.govt.nz/govern/regs/index.html
Dated at Wellington this 7th day of December 2004.
PETE HODGSON, Minister of Energy.