LGNZ welcomes National's Home Energy Fund election policy

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says the National Party’s Home Energy Fund announced today highlights the value of working with councils to solve the challenges faced by New Zealanders such as the high cost of living.

Home Energy Fund announced by the National Party this morning is based on the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme (RAS), a local government-led, low-cost loan model developed by LGNZ and key partners such as Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA), and Rewiring Aotearoa, with Cameron Partners acting as lead advisor.

“This scheme would considerably help households struggling with the cost of living by lowering their power bills” LGNZ Chief Executive Scott Necklen says.

“We all know the pressure households have been under as costs soar.

“Local government has been working on sophisticated tools to help people keep more money in their back pockets and diversify their energy sources.

“Today’s announcement shows the potential for local government to deliver ratepayers meaningful solutions when central government removes legal and regulatory obstacles.”

“A panel consisting of Mayor of Nelson Hon Dr Nick Smith, independent economist Cameron Bagrie, and Stuart Henderson has thoroughly reviewed the RAS proposal and endorse it.”

“LGNZ has been working to get broad political support for the RAS to ensure the ready-to-go cost of living solution is implemented in a timely way,” Scott Necklen said

The RAS also has the potential to help ratepayers manage upfront council charges like rates and development contributions/levies by converting them into affordable payments over a longer period of time.