Under section 52Q of the Commerce Act 1986 (“Act”) the Commerce Commission gives notice that it has amended the Electricity Distribution Services Default Price-Quality Path Determination 2020 [2019] NZCC 21 (“principal determination”) to specify a catastrophic event allowance for Vector Limited to provide for the costs of a catastrophic event.

The amendments are set out in the Electricity Distribution Services Default Price-Quality Path (Vector Catastrophic Event) Amendment Determination 2025 [2025] NZCC 19.

The amendment determination introduces a catastrophic event allowance into the principal determination. This amendment is made to reflect the Commission’s reconsideration of the price-quality path to take account of Vector’s expenditure in responding to a catastrophic event, as defined in the relevant Input Methodologies.

A more detailed description of the amendments and the reasons are set out in the reasons paper and amendment determination, which can be found on our website at https://comcom.govt.nz/regulated-industries/electricity-lines/projects/2020-2025-electricity-default-price-quality-path.

The amendment determination comes into effect on 4 September 2025.

Copies of the amendment determination are available on the Commission’s website at the above link, and for inspection free of charge, or for purchase at a reasonable price, at the Commission’s premises (during ordinary office hours) at 44 the Terrace, Wellington.

COMMERCE COMMISSION.