Power prices, fuel security and whether New Zealand should keep drilling for gas are all live questions this election.
A handful of large companies both generate most of the country's electricity and sell it to households. Supporters of separating them say it would sharpen retail competition; opponents say it would add risk and cost without lowering bills.
ACT does not support splitting the gentailers. It prefers stronger competition enforcement and lower barriers to new generation over restructuring the industry. Source
The Greens back separating generation from retail. MP Scott Willis has a member's bill to require it, and the party also proposes a publicly owned power company. Source
Labour says it is open to a split only if convinced it would lower prices. It would begin considering structural market reform within 100 days but has not committed to it. Source
National opposes a forced split. Luxon and Nicola Willis argue it would create instability and deter investment, and want the Electricity Authority to enforce competition instead. Source
NZ First is campaigning to break up the gentailers into separate generation and retail companies so they no longer control both supply and price. Source
UnconfirmedNo clear position on separation was found. Te Pāti Māori focuses on Māori and community ownership of energy and stronger regulator powers over excessive pricing. Source
The Opportunity Party says structural separation would be slow and costly. It prefers market-rule changes, regulator consolidation and reinvesting state power profits in renewables. Source
New offshore permits were banned in 2018 and the ban was lifted by the current government. Gas supply is falling, which some argue makes new exploration necessary and others argue makes a faster shift to renewables necessary.
ACT criticised the 2018 ban and, as a coalition partner, backed the 2025 law that repealed it. Source
The Greens opposed the repeal. Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has said a Green government would reinstate the ban and revoke permits issued since. Source
Labour introduced the 2018 ban, opposed its repeal, and Chris Hipkins has pledged to reinstate it, while reportedly honouring permits already granted. Source
National campaigned on ending the ban and its government repealed it in 2025, arguing new gas supply is needed for energy security. Source
NZ First minister Shane Jones introduced the 2025 law repealing the ban, and the party wants to develop domestic oil and gas resources. Source
Te Pāti Māori opposed restarting exploration and has called for withdrawing existing permits, though no explicit pledge to restore the original ban was found. Source
UnconfirmedNo public position on the exploration ban was found. The party's platform focuses on expanding renewables and moving industry off coal and gas. Source
New Zealand has imported all of its refined fuel since its only refinery stopped processing crude in 2022, leaving the country reliant on shipping.
UnconfirmedNo specific ACT statement was found. ACT sat in the Cabinet that funded extra diesel storage at Marsden Point in 2026, but has not campaigned on fuel storage or refining. Source
UnconfirmedThe Greens' response to the 2026 fuel shock centres on cutting fossil fuel demand, such as cheaper public transport, rather than investing in fuel storage or refining. Source
Labour built a strategic diesel reserve in government and has criticised National for cancelling it, arguing the country would be better prepared with more storage. Source
National's government funded about $21.6m to recommission diesel storage at Marsden Point in 2026, though as a time-limited arrangement rather than a refinery revival. Source
NZ First campaigns to reopen the Marsden Point refinery and create a special economic zone there; its minister Shane Jones led the 2026 diesel storage funding. Source
UnconfirmedNo specific position found. Te Pāti Māori talks about reducing reliance on overseas energy and fossil fuels, but not fuel storage or refining. Source
UnconfirmedNo public position on fuel storage or refining was found. Its energy policy focuses on renewable electricity and phasing out fossil fuels. Source