Reducing Energy Hardship Conference: Building equity into our communities

This event continues on from the successful 2023 Reducing Energy Hardship Conference, where 40 presenters discussed the state of energy hardship in Aotearoa New Zealand, both public and private initiatives, community energy concepts, and key innovations addressing critical problems hindering community energy implementation. Speakers highlighted key steps to address energy hardship, emphasising the shift from reactive to proactive solutions. 

The focus is on tackling root causes and promoting energy justice to mitigate, not just medicate, the issue. At this year’s conference we are building on this kōrero and looking ahead to discuss: 

- Initiatives currently underway in the community energy space in Aotearoa and overseas, and what technological and social innovations are breaking through.
- Looking through a Kaupapa Māori lens and finding fit for purpose solutions.
- Diving deeper into how communities can work with the public and private sectors to provide leadership in their own energy transition.
- How the international landscape has changed since the 2023 conference and what are the international perspectives on energy hardship.
- Government priorities and how we can work together to address the challenges of reducing energy hardship.

Discounted tickets are available for community groups and students. Please reach out to Rosie Condon for more details: [email protected].

Day one - Monday 20 May

Wharewaka Function Centre, Wellington

9am: Session 1 - Energy hardship in a cost of living crisis

- Mihi Whakatau
- Deborah Hart - Chair, Consumer Advocacy Council
- Ministerial update | Honourable Simeon Brown, Minister for Energy (Pre-recorded)
- Panel - What does an equitable energy transition look like?
Facilitator: Vic Crockford
Alana Ruakere - Pou Tū Kūrae/Chief Executive, Tui Ora 
Dr. Philippa Howden-Chapman - Professor of public health, University of Otago
Sumaria Beaton - General Manager, Awarua Synergy
Michelle Pawson - Policy Analyst, Rewiring Aotearoa

- Nau Mai Rā | Ezra Hirawani, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Nau Mai Rā
- Expert Panel Report | Keri Brown, Chair Energy Hardship Expert Panel
- Bernard Hickey, Journalist
- Breaking the cycle - reducing energy hardship for Māori | Alana Ruakere, Pou Tū Kūrae/Chief Executive, Tui Ora

1pm - 1.20pm: The Support for Energy Education in Communities (SEEC) Programme
The SEEC Programme includes funding to build and expand the network of services to support people experiencing energy hardship achieve warmer, more energy-efficient homes and lower their energy bills. This mini breakout session is for the successful FY2023/2024 SEEC Programme providers to develop regional and professional connections, share learnings, and uplift each other.

1.20pm: Session 2 - Building partnerships to create regionally bespoke programmes

- Community Energy Network - overview of regions
- Meridian Energy Wellbeing Programme. Rachel Read, Customer Communications Manager, Meridian
- Dr Philippa Howden-Chapman - Professor of Public Health, University of Otago
- Canterbury Community Energy Collective. Hinerangi Pere, Head of Community Energy Services, Orion

3.10pm: Session 3 - Breakout sessions

Room one: Research and Evaluation
This breakout session is to hear about and discuss energy wellbeing evaluation and research. This will include a number of short presentations from researchers who are working on a range of issues related to energy wellbeing, such as health outcomes, quality of our homes and energy use. This will also be an opportunity for those in the Energy Wellbeing Evaluation Consortium to connect and discuss how we can continue to build momentum for improved evaluation of energy wellbeing programmes (regional and national scale).

Room two: Healthy Homes Initiative
Through the Ministry of Health, the Healthy Homes Initiative has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. This breakout session will be for all HHI providers to meet and discuss the programme. 

Networking drinks and dinner

5pm - 6pm: networking drinks 
6pm: dinner
Location: The Boatshed

Day two - Tuesday 21 May

Wharewaka Function Centre, Wellington

9am start

- Welcome
- Ministerial update | Scott Willis - Green Party spokesperson for Energy

Session 4 - Innovation in Community Energy

- Rewiring Aotearoa | Mike Casey - CEO, Rewiring Aotearoa
- Our Energy - Kia Whitingia project | John Campbell - CEO, Our Energy, Atawhai Tibble
- Kāinga Ora - MTT solar sharing trial | Jenny Van Der Merwe - Renewable Energy Lead, Kāinga Ora, Briony Bennett - Energy Innovation Manager, Ara Ake
- Tū Mai Rā Energy | Matiu Taurau - CEO, Tū Mai Rā Energy
- Community Energy Guide: One year on | Jonathan Young - Head of Industry & Government Engagement, Ara Ake

11.10am: Session 5 - Where the industry sits within innovation and change

- Panel - What should the priorities be for the energy sector and industry to enable an equitable transition
Facilitator: to come 
Bridget Abernathy - Chief Executive Officer, Electricity Retailers' Association of New Zealand (ERANZ)
Aamer Daji - Group Manager Kouru Whakahaere, Raukawa
James Kilty - Chief Executive Officer, Powerco
Tracey Kai - Chief Executive, Electricity Networks Aotearoa (ENA)
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- Sumaria Beaton - General Manager, Awarua Synergy
- Raukawa Study. Aamer Daji - Group Manager Kouru Whakahaere, Raukawa
- Warmer Kiwi Homes. Henry Nepia - Manager, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)

1.45pm: Session 6 - Building new partnership models in the energy sector

- Mercury's Hidden Hardship Report and next steps | Jo Christie - Regulatory Strategist, Mercury
- ENA and the Future Networks Forum | Sam Elder - General Manager Energy Futures, Orion
- Hidden hardship research national and international | Dr. Sea Rotmann - CEO, Sustainable Energy Advice (Pre-record)
- Conference wrap up and navigator statement.