Gerry Brownlee

Wellington, July 1 NZPA - Local authorities in Nelson, Canterbury and Hawke's Bay are offering ratepayers the chance to pay off energy efficiency improvements through their rates.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Environment Canterbury and Nelson City Council were the first three councils to sign up to the Government's insulation initiative.

The Government announced in May's budget $323 million over four years to retrofit 180,000 homes with insulation and clean-heating devices.

"These three councils are in the process of rolling out schemes suited to their areas, which will allow ratepayers to pay off insulation and, in some cases, clean heating via their rates bills," Mr Brownlee said.

"This makes the cost of investing in energy efficiency much more manageable for ratepayers, so they can enjoy the benefits of a warmer, drier home that causes less air pollution."

Other councils were also looking at implementing the scheme, he said.