In 2018, The Consumer Advocacy Council was set up by cabinet in response to a commissioned investigation into the nation’s problematic electricity market. It was designed to act as an independent advocate for residential and small business electricity consumers in Aotearoa. Then came Budget 2024. With the stroke of a pen, the council was scrapped by the coalition government to help balance the books.

Former chair Deborah Hart speaks to Bernard Hickey about what the loss of the council means for everyday consumers, what’s wrong with our electricity industry and how we can improve things in the future.

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