Speaking at the Waikato Regional Energy Strategy launch in Hamilton, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment said New Zealand faces a series of complex energy challenges that require long-term thinking and greater coordination across government, industry and communities.

The latest Energy Quarterly data release from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) shows renewables generated 94.5% of all electricity in the March 2026 quarter, up from 83.2% in the same quarter last year.