New Zealand National Party unveils $7 million home energy loan scheme for solar upgrades

The National Party has announced a $7 million Home Energy Fund aimed at increasing solar adoption in New Zealand. The plan would offer low‑interest loans to homeowners for solar panels, battery storage and other energy‑efficiency upgrades, with repayments added to property rates instead of requiring upfront payment.

Eligibility would require owners to hold at least 20 % equity in their property, a condition that critics say excludes renters and many low‑income households, which account for about 30 % of New Zealand homes. Labour opposition leader Megan Woods warned the scheme could widen the energy‑cost divide.

Alongside the financing component, the party proposes to reclassify rooftop solar, batteries and small micro‑hydro as “permitted as of right” under the Resource Management Act, removing the need for council consent and streamlining approvals. The proposal is positioned as a response to rising power bills and the government’s target of 100 % renewable electricity by 2035.