Contact Energy will have more New Zealand shareholders on its register after Australia's Origin Energy sold its controlling stake for $1.8 billion.

Australia's Origin Energy has sold is Contact Energy shares to underwriters Macquarie Capital for $1.8 billion, ending months of speculation.

Mr Key said Solid Energy had $300 million of outstanding debt and was in a "precarious position".

A revised contract between Meridian Energy and the owners of the Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter extends the smelter's operating life for at least another year from 2017.

More than 100 solar power and state of the art battery systems are being offered free by Vector to individuals, families, community groups and schools in the Auckland region.

Labour leader Andrew Little said it was "good news" for the 800 workers at the plant, and the Green Party described it as a "relief".

Tiwai Point smelter looks set to stay open after the announcement of a new power deal with Meridian Energy.

The world's big energy groups have shelved US$200 billion ($298 billion) of spending on new projects in an urgent round of cost-cutting to protect dividends as the oil price slumps for a second time this year.

Meridian Energy has joined with charity KidsCan to raise awareness of child poverty in NZ and help to provide food, clothing and basic healthcare.

Government spends up to 20 times more money on wooing oil and gas companies to New Zealand than it does on promoting renewable energy, newly released figures show.

The New Zealand Middle East Business Council says they are monitoring "the potential of opening up of trade with Iran".

While the world is distracted by the Greek saga and China something really important is going on: Iran and oil.

BP New Zealand generated its smallest earnings in more than a decade due to falling oil prices.

The Commerce Commission has indicated a timeframe on when it expects to make a decision the acquisition.

The NZ-founded carbon recycling company is shifting into commercialisation from its previous development phase.

Rising power bills are driving down satisfaction with big energy retailers, a Consumer New Zealand survey has found.

Blenheim-based power company Marlborough Lines has bought an 80pc stake in Yealands Wine Group for $89 million.

A decision on the future of Tiwai Point's massive electricity contract, due today - has been delayed by a month.

Aucklanders are being warned they could face fines of up to $10,000 and daily penalties for not keeping their trees and other vegetation away from power lines.

Contact Energy's 70,000 shareholders will get a 50c-a-share special dividend tomorrow as its majority owner examines options to quit its stake in the company.

A decade-long project to save endangered giant snails from a West Coast coal mine will finish next year.

Auckland households could face an increase of 4.5 per cent in their power bills under changes the Electricity Authority is considering.

The Electricity Authority has published a series of proposals on more efficient ways to charge for the national grid.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has pulled its support for any expansion of Kakadu's Ranger uranium mine after its operator put the project on ice.

Despite speculation about its future in NZ, Origin Energy says it's committed to its investment in Contact Energy.

A few things you can do to make your lithium-ion batteries last longer, whether in an electric car or a smartphone.

The boss of a Z Energy rival says its planned acquisition of Caltex operator Chevron NZ could impact competition in the fuel market.

Vector says a potential buyer has expressed interest in its gas transmission business.

The sale of Caltex is another example of the exodus of multi-national oil companies from the New Zealand market.