Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

ensures that New Zealanders have warm, dry homes. Our record in introducing energy
efficiency standards for new homes shows an ongoing concern for improving efficiency –
and delivering the savings in energy costs greater efficiency brings.
We aim for every home in New Zealand to be properly insulated, and will support this
happening progressively (e.g. with the assistance of government grants or power company
loans).
Labour will support every New Zealand home being properly insulated, and will
provide or encourage appropriate assistance to achieve this.
A programme to retrofit state houses began 10 years ago. A retrofit includes insulation of
floors and ceilings, hot water cylinder wraps, lagging around hot water pipes, and efficient
heater installation where appropriate.
Labour will prioritise the insulation of the remaining state houses without proper
insulation.
Home insulation and efficient heating are great examples of how actions to tackle climate
change can benefit us in other ways, including saving us money. Other examples are
energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and the use of smart meters to lower peak electricity
demand.
Labour will require the Electricity Authority to implement the 2009 recommendations
on smart meters from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
Subsidies for landlords to upgrade rental housing to a reasonable insulation and heating
standard have been available for a number of years. Many landlords have not availed
themselves of this. That means substandard houses are too often let – frequently to low
income families who cannot afford to heat them.
Labour will require all rental properties to be insulated to meet the New Zealand
standard for insulation by 2016.
Labour believes rental houses should be upgraded to a reasonable minimum energy
performance standard.
Labour will instruct the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to
develop and implement a minimum energy performance standard for residential
rental housing.
Improving the energy efficiency of our housing stock contributes to the sustainability of our
nation overall. Not only is energy demand reduced, but health outcomes are improved.
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