We bring together a number of working groups and forums for lines companies to discuss opportunities and challenges and to work collaboratively. Each group has a different structure and ENA plays a different role. The groups are described below including how you can join or find out more info.
The Future Networks Forum (FNF) identifies opportunities where lines companies can align to help Aotearoa reach our climate change goals and create value for customers. Below is a short summary of the initiatives currently being worked on.
The FNF is co-chaired by Andrew Kerr from Alpine Energy and Moonis Vegdani from Counties Energy and the group is made up of representatives from across 25 lines companies.
New members are encouraged to join the Future Networks Forum so we can form a comprehensive view across all lines companies. If you’re from a lines company, and you want to find out more, please email us at FNF@electricity.org.nz.
ENA members can login to the full FNF pages, which include reports and resources, here.
If you’d like to hear more about the FNF – or a particular project – email FNF@electricity.org.nz.
Building more poles, wires and substations is not always the lowest-cost way to meet growing electricity demand. In some cases, alternatives such as batteries, demand flexibility or smarter equipment may be able to delay or avoid the need for traditional network investment.
We're developing a common framework to help distributors assess the value of these non-traditional solutions. The framework will provide a practical and transparent way to compare the cost of an alternative solution with the value of deferring conventional network investment.
Over time, the work may also support more consistent service definitions and procurement processes, making it easier for flexibility providers to work with distributors across New Zealand.
Electricity networks must be operated within safe limits. Today, many connection limits are set conservatively so the network remains secure even if every customer uses or exports their maximum permitted amount at the same time.
Dynamic capacity management would allow these limits to change as network conditions change. This could enable customers to import or export more electricity when capacity is available. For example, allowing more solar generation onto the network or making better use of flexible loads such as electric vehicle chargers and hot-water systems.
We're developing a common framework for dynamic operating envelopes. The first phase will establish standard methods for calculating, allocating and communicating available network capacity, together with guidance on system architecture, communications, cybersecurity and fallback arrangements.
The need for high-speed public EV charging stations, together with the growth of applications to connect distributed generation, is one of the reasons that this project is so important. The FNF ‘Connections Journey Mapping’ project is about aligning EDBs’ processes to improve the connections journey for customers.
The project members are working closely with the Electricity Engineers’ Association and the Electricity Authority (who are also doing work in this space) to ensure that the projects align nicely so we can create real improvements in the customer connections journey.
The project team has engaged with charge point operators, large distributed generation customers and lines companies to fully understand their pain points and discuss potential solutions. As a result of this engagement, the team has come up with a long-list of 13 action points to improve the customer journey, from pre-application right through to delivery. The team believes these will also benefit other connections stakeholders following feedback EDBs have received.
Eight solutions have been developed and shared with all lines companies so that they can be adopted. These are:
We’re starting to see more and more distributed energy resources (DER), like solar panels and battery systems, in Aotearoa. As these numbers grow, lines companies will need to plan and operate their networks differently. They will need new capabilities to ensure DER are managed in a smart and flexible way – including shared control of hot water.
If we get this right, it will not only benefit consumers who own the DER, but all electricity consumers as they won’t have to pay for the lines companies to build as much additional capacity into the network.
Several lines companies in Aotearoa have piloted solutions for how to manage DER in a flexible way. And some countries, like Australia and the UK, have a lot of insights that we can borrow about how to leverage DER for operational efficiency and building more reliance into the electricity system.
A project within ENA's Future Network Forum has paired international research with significant engagement with our domestic lines companies to determine what new capability, roles, functions we need to enable flexibility here in Aotearoa.
In September 2024, we ran two webinars, one for EDBs and one for external stakeholders. You can see the presentation and the poll results from our external webinar.
Stage two of this FNF project was about evaluating the industry architecture and models for distribution system operation (DSO) to fulfil the roles and functions. It sets out possible paths for how DSO could evolve here in Aotearoa and raises the key questions we’ll all need to grapple with as DER (like EV chargers, batteries and solar) continue to take off. The final report was made publicly available in May 2025. You can find it here: Potential DSO models for Aotearoa. This report was a key input provided by us to the Electricity Authority as it considered future system operation in the New Zealand context. The Authority's more recent DSO Roadmap closely reflects some of the key attributes of this ENA-led work – particularly the three DSO models that the Authority has identified as options for New Zealand.
This project helps to underpin all wider FNF projects. It’s about building a shared understanding and common language amongst lines companies about who our customers are, their current and future needs, and the pain points in their customer journeys – which lines companies may be well-placed to address. This is a core foundational piece, and will ensure a customer-centric approach to FNF’s ongoing prioritisation and work programme. This project did a deep dive into large DG customers and charge point operators. The findings were used to come up with solutions to improve the connections journey.
In December 2025, we released a national residential customer segmentation model for Aotearoa New Zealand. The model combines actual electricity usage data from participating lines companies with 2023 Census data to create a consistent, nationwide picture of how different households use electricity, their ability to pay, and their likely needs. This work also overlays research exploring attitudes related to affordability, energy-saving behaviour, solar, EVs and home energy management systems. View the research here: Electricity customer segments by location and household type
With more retailers managing load across distribution networks, the sector needs a common protocol in place for how load is managed in network emergencies. Different load management rules across Aotearoa would increase complexity and the risk of error. A consistent approach will help ensure a continuous, reliable supply of energy for all consumers and lower the participation barriers for retailers who wish to offer load control services to consumers.
The FNF has developed a common load management protocol. It aims to provide a common set of terms for how retailers and EDBs coordinate their load management activities in instances of network emergencies. Load management will include hot water and any other controlled load such as EV chargers.
The aim has been to produce a protocol that all EDBs and retailers can adopt and abide by. The protocol includes some flexibility to allow EDBs to write specific schedules to the core terms that recognise unique characteristics of their networks.
We are pleased to have the protocol in place and available to the sector prior to winter 2026. This will help to keep the lights on in emergency situations. The protocol is not set in stone – it has been designed to evolve. Ongoing engagement and an annual review process will allow the sector to refine it as we gain experience operating to it.
View the EDB Common Load Management Protocol here.
Lines companies are doing a range of innovation projects to test new technologies, services and ways of working. Right now, information about these projects is spread across different organisations and published in different formats, which can make it difficult to find and share lessons.
We've developed a publicly accessible innovation portal on the ENA website. It provides a single place for EDBs to share information about their innovation projects, including what they are testing, progress made and lessons learned. This should make successful ideas easier to build on and give consumers, regulators and other stakeholders greater visibility of innovation across the sector.
Check it out here: Innovation projects
The template commercial contracts have been developed by the FNF, working in conjunction with Simpson Grierson and subject matter experts from across the electricity distribution sector.
The templates are intended to provide a common starting point for commercial negotiations between lines companies and large load and distributed generation customers seeking new or upgraded connections to distribution networks. By providing a more consistent contractual framework across the sector, the templates aim to improve the connections experience for access-seekers while reducing duplication of effort for lines companies.
The templates are not mandatory and are provided for use and adaptation as appropriate to individual circumstances. Lines companies may amend the templates to reflect their own requirements and may further negotiate amendments with individual customers.
The current suite comprises:
These documents form part of the wider FNF Connections Journey Mapping programme and are intended to be maintained as living documents, with future updates informed by operational experience and stakeholder feedback.
For any enquiries about this work please email fnf@electricity.org.nz.
The Regulatory Working Group (RWG) was established in 2008. Its focus is on market and economic regulation (especially as administered by the Electricity Authority, Commerce Commission and MBIE).
The group meets six times per year with occasional online meetings held to discuss specific topics or submissions. All documents including meeting agendas, presentations and reports will be sent via email and stored in ENA’s internal Sharepoint.
ENA manages the list of participants. If you are from a lines company and would like to join the group, please email info@electricity.org.nz.
ENA’s Distribution Pricing Working Group was established in 2014. It assists and co-ordinates distributors’ efforts to establish more durable and efficient electricity pricing.
The group communicates (via email) and meets on an ad-hoc basis when needed.
All documents including meeting agendas, presentations and reports will be sent via email and stored in ENA’s internal Sharepoint.
ENA manages the list of participants. If you are from a lines company and would like to join the group, please email info@electricity.org.nz
The Communications and Engagement Forum is a collaboration and support network for all lines companies regarding topics relevant to communicating and engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
Each member can share best practices and lessons, ask for advice, and collaborate with pairs across the motu. Group members can gain insights and knowledge from each other and avoid reinventing the wheel on projects and strategies. The group can act as a sounding board to ENA, to give feedback and advice on key pieces of ENA-led work that may benefit from the input of a customer, communications and engagement lens.
The group meets four times per year. Two online and two in person (with an online option available). The group also communicate (via email or Teams) on an adhoc basis when needed.
All documents including meeting agendas, presentations and reports will be sent via email and stored in ENA’s internal Sharepoint.
ENA manages the list of participants. If you are from a lines company and would like to join the group, please email info@electricity.org.nz
The HR Managers Forum is a collaboration and support network for all lines companies regarding topics relevant to HR.
Each member can share best practices and lessons, ask for advice, and collaborate with pairs across the motu. Group members can gain insights and knowledge from each other and avoid reinventing the wheel on projects and strategies. The group can act as a sounding board to ENA, to give feedback and advice on key pieces of ENA-led work that effects human resources and workforce within lines companies.
The group meets four times per year. All meetings take place in person in Wellington. The group can also communicate (via email) on an adhoc basis when needed.
All documents including meeting agendas, presentations and reports will be created and held within the group. The Co-chairs manage the list of participants. If you are from a lines company and would like to join the group, please email info@electricity.org.nz and we will put you in touch with the co-chairs.
The Tree Regulations Working Group strives to:
The group communicates (via email) and meets on an adhoc basis when needed.
All documents including meeting agendas, presentations and reports will be sent via email and stored in ENA’s internal Sharepoint.
ENA manages the list of participants. If you are from a lines company and would like to join the group, please email info@electricity.org.nz
There have been various ‘vegetation management’ groups set up since 2009 to tackle challenges, in particular, the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003. As of July 2022, we combined the following Tree Regs-related groups under the banner of the Tree Regs Working Group:
The Energy Hardship Forum is a collaboration and support network for all lines companies regarding topics relevant to energy hardship.
Each member can share best practices and lessons, ask for advice, and collaborate with pairs across the motu. Group members can gain insights and knowledge from each other and avoid reinventing the wheel on projects and strategies.
The group meets four times per year. These meetings are all online for 1 hour each.
All documents including meeting agendas, presentations and reports, will be sent via email and stored in ENA’s internal Sharepoint.
ENA manages the list of participants. If you are from a lines company and would like to join the group, please email info@electricity.org.nz
We have had other working groups in the past. And if a particular topic needs to be addressed in our sector, and they don’t fit into one of the groups above, we may be able to form ad hoc groups.