NZEA Board Communique August 2026
4 August 2026
As part of its 12th meeting on 4 August 2026, the Board of the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) met in person with the Stakeholder Panel for a roundtable discussion about challenges and opportunities associated with the transition. Panel members shared insights, feedback and perspectives, drawing from their organisation or membership base. This led to a rich exchange covering business, regional, community, local government and union perspectives. The Panel meets quarterly and once a year with the full Board.
The Board consulted the Panel on amendments to the Stakeholder Panel Terms of Reference and adopted the revised version that will be published on the NZEA website shortly. The Board also resolved to bolster representation from First Nations organisations on the Stakeholder Panel.
The Board agreed the Record of Meeting from its previous meeting on 23–24 June 2026 held in Muswellbrook.
The Board reviewed Members’ declared interests and agreed the appropriate arrangements for managing a declared conflict of interest relating to a matter before the Board.
The Board discussed NZEA’s operating environment, its forward strategy and planned initiatives, including engagement with Commonwealth partners. The Board adopted the draft Corporate Plan 2026–27 and noted the draft Annual Performance Statements that will form part of the Annual Report 2025–26. The Board discussed the impacts of current timeframes in the Fair Work Commission on delivery of community of interest processes in the Energy Industry Jobs Plan.
The Board agreed delivery programs for the Hunter, Latrobe-Gippsland and Collie regions that set out the actions NZEA will take to support industry and jobs growth and transition in those regions.
The Board discussed its preferred approach for taking forward the First Nations Action Plan, including updates on work underway in the Hunter and Latrobe. The First Nations Action Plan will be published in the near future.
The Board considered the progress of the current research projects being undertaken by the Authority.
The Audit and Risk Committee provided the Board with advice on matters relating to governance, business continuity, internal audit and performance reporting. The Board approved the revised Financial Delegation Instrument to reflect whole-of-government savings measures from the 2026–27 Federal Budget, the 2026–27 Internal Audit Work Plan and the updated Internal Audit Charter, as well as the publication of NZEAs Senate Order 13 disclosures.
The Board acknowledged the importance of continuous learning and agreed on its priorities for the Board’s professional development.
The Board will next meet on 30 September 2026.