Wellington, Feb 23 NZPA - Contact Energy says electricity retail prices need to rise, after reporting flat underlying earnings for the six months to the end of December.

Wellington, Feb 11 NZPA - Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee is encouraging householders to shop around for their power as Contact Energy raises its electricity prices.

Wellington, Feb 8 NZPA - Fitch Ratings expects proposed investments by Transpower to lead to a deterioration in the national grid operator's credit profile, unless the Government is willing to inject more equity.

Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee's proposed re-jig of the electricity sector may actually raise electricity prices and reduce the security of power supply, says a retailer in the sector.

Wellington, Sept 22 NZPA - The Government says amendments to the emissions trading scheme (ETS) will make it more expensive in the medium term, but cheaper to run from 2013.

Wellington, Aug 12 NZPA - Retail electricity prices are excessive and changes in regulatory control, allowing line companies to retail electricity, are recommended in an electricity review released today.

Wellington, Aug 12 NZPA - Retail electricity prices are excessive and changes in regulatory control, allowing line companies to retail electricity, are recommended in an electricity review released today.

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - Labour Party energy spokesman Charles Chauvel says he's investigating whether the failure of an oil company in which Genesis Energy had a stake will financially hurt taxpayers.

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - With 200,000 children living in benefit-dependent households and food banks running out of food New Zealanders must "give a little", Social Services Minister Paula Bennett says.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, July 9 NZPA - New Zealand entered the recession with families already in poverty and the economic conditions have only made things worse -- leaving over 200,000 children living in benefit dependent households, a new report shows.