Fuel Poverty or Energy Hardship? Analysing the literature, the proposed official definition, and the views of experts in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Fuel poverty is a serious condition in New Zealand, caused by the inability to afford sufficient energy services and resulting in detriment to health and wellbeing. Inconsistent ways of describing and measuring fuel poverty affect the perception and depth of the issue and the proposed interventions. This article analyses the proposed definition and indicators of energy hardship developed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, in addition to the literature and the perspectives of five New Zealand experts. Findings suggest that the proposed energy hardship description and measures are well-aligned with the recommendations given by the interviewed experts and the literature findings on fuel poverty, which bodes well for effective interventions to minimise the issue.