Business NZ Energy Council

1. Business Name: BusinessNZ Energy Council (often abbreviated as BEC). It is a division and brand of Business New Zealand Inc (BusinessNZ). (Predecessor: The Energy Federation of New Zealand, which merged into BEC in 2013.)

2. Company Number: N/A – BEC is not separately incorporated. It operates under BusinessNZ (Company number 8290321).

3. New Zealand Business Number (NZBN): N/A – Covered by BusinessNZ’s NZBN (9429050291915). BEC itself does not have a distinct NZBN.

4. Entity Type: Not a standalone legal entity; BEC is an internal council of BusinessNZ (an Incorporated Society). In essence, BEC is a non-profit industry association/advocacy group housed within BusinessNZ.

5. Business Classification: Industry advocacy for the energy sector. BusinessNZ classifies it under its network of business advocacy brands. (In official terms, BusinessNZ’s business code aligns with a membership organisation; BEC focuses on energy policy.)

6. Established: 1 January 2013 – launched when BusinessNZ combined its energy sector group with the former Energy Federation of New Zealand. This merger formed BEC as the New Zealand member committee of the World Energy Council.

7. Headquarters: Wellington, New Zealand. BEC’s offices are co-located with BusinessNZ at Level 13, NTT Tower, 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011. (BusinessNZ’s head office in the capital is BEC’s base of operations.)

8. Parent Organisation: Business New Zealand Inc. (BusinessNZ) – BEC is a wholly owned division of BusinessNZ. BusinessNZ is the country’s largest business advocacy body, and BEC operates as one of its branded councils.

9. International Affiliations: World Energy Council (WEC) – BEC is the official New Zealand member committee of the WEC. It represents New Zealand in this global network, providing BEC access to international research and forums.

10. Membership: Comprises ~60 organisations spanning the energy sector. Members include major companies (electricity generators like Meridian and Genesis, oil & gas firms like BP, OMV and Methanex, large industrial energy users like Fonterra, Rio Tinto NZ Aluminium, and NZ Steel), industry associations (e.g. Electricity Networks Association, Energy Resources Aotearoa, Motor Trade Association), government agencies (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, Ministry of Transport, Electricity Authority, EECA), and research/academia (e.g. GNS Science, University of Auckland). This multi-sector membership reflects BEC’s role as an umbrella energy council uniting business, government and academia.

11. Executive Director: Tina Schirr – appointed in late 2019 as BEC’s Executive Director. She leads and manages BEC’s operations and also holds the title of Executive Director Energy & Innovation at BusinessNZ. Ms. Schirr had been BEC’s Senior Policy Advisor and has a background in the energy industry in Germany. She succeeded John Carnegie (who left BEC in 2019 to head the Petroleum Exploration & Production Association).

12. Chairperson: Greg Lowe – appointed BEC Chair effective 1 February 2024. Mr. Lowe is the former CEO of engineering firm Beca Group (2012–2023) and a prominent business leader. He took over from Hon. David Caygill, who served as BEC’s Chair from 2016 until 2023. (Caygill is a former Minister of Finance and Electricity Commission chair, underscoring BEC’s high-level connections.) The Chair of BEC is typically an industry leader providing strategic direction.

13. Governance Structure: As an internal council of BusinessNZ, BEC does not have a separate board of directors. It is overseen by the BusinessNZ management and board. BEC’s activities are guided by its Executive Director and Chair, in consultation with member representatives (an advisory group of member executives is informally involved). Ultimate fiduciary oversight lies with BusinessNZ’s board.

14. Purpose and Objectives: BEC’s stated mission is to “support New Zealand’s economic well-being through the active promotion of the sustainable development and use of energy, both domestically and globally.” In other words, BEC aims to facilitate a sustainable, secure and affordable energy future for New Zealand. It advocates for policies that balance energy security, equity, and sustainability – an approach informed by the World Energy Council’s “energy trilemma” framework.

15. Activities: BEC engages in policy advocacy, research, and stakeholder dialogue in the energy sector. Key activities include: conducting and publishing energy scenario studies (e.g. long-term energy scenarios to 2060 in partnership with government agencies) ; preparing an annual Energy Issues Map and Energy Trilemma Index for New Zealand; organising events, conferences and workshops (such as the Asia-Pacific Energy Leaders’ Summit and regular industry breakfasts with Ministers) ; and making submissions on proposed energy policies and regulations. BEC “shares energy information, represents the views of its members, promotes dialogue and networking…, prepares and disseminates reports and organises seminars and conferences” as part of its mandate.

16. Policy Areas Covered: BEC’s advocacy spans all aspects of energy and climate policy. This includes electricity market regulation, renewable energy development, oil and gas exploration and mining (e.g. inputs on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill), transport energy and emissions (e.g. fuel specifications, vehicle emissions policies), climate change mitigation strategies (such as emissions reduction plans and carbon pricing), energy efficiency, infrastructure investment, and new technologies (hydrogen, carbon capture, etc.). In essence, if it concerns New Zealand’s energy system or climate-related energy transition, BEC is likely involved.

17. Key Stakeholders: Through BusinessNZ, BEC maintains close relationships with government policymakers and ministers. Government members (MBIE, Ministry of Transport, etc.) are active stakeholders, as are regulators like the Electricity Authority. On the industry side, BEC’s key stakeholders are its member companies – from state-owned enterprises (e.g. Transpower) to multinationals (e.g. Chevron, Mitsui) – and sector associations. This mix enables BEC to present itself as the collective voice of New Zealand’s energy sector when dealing with officials and media.

18. Funding Sources: BEC is primarily funded by membership fees and BusinessNZ support. Member organisations pay annual subscriptions (scaled by type/size) to fund BEC’s operations. For example, government departments and large firms pay about NZ$3,000 per year, while small startups pay ~$990. With dozens of members, these fees (typically $3k–$5k each) constitute BEC’s core budget. BusinessNZ likely provides additional resources (office space, administrative support and co-funding for staff), effectively subsidising BEC. BEC also occasionally partners on projects that attract external funding – for instance, its joint energy scenarios work with the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) indicates in-kind or co-funding support from that government agency. (BEC does not publicly release detailed financial statements; as a part of BusinessNZ, its finances are consolidated.)

19. Membership Fees: Annual dues for BEC membership range from $990 for startups to $5,000 for large non-members, with standard corporate/government memberships at $3,000 (plus GST) per year. These fees have been set to encourage broad participation, including public sector and academia at the same $3,000 rate as BusinessNZ-affiliated companies. The fee structure, disclosed on BEC’s website, shows that even government agencies formally pay to belong to this lobbying forum.

20. Staffing: BEC is run by a small secretariat within BusinessNZ. It has a dedicated Executive Director (Tina Schirr) and a Policy Advisor (currently Ben Young). Additional support is provided by BusinessNZ staff – Deb Bougen an executive assistant (who serves both BusinessNZ and BEC) and Cal Roberts a communications advisor assisting BusinessNZ and BEC. In total, the BEC team is about 4 people. This lean staff is supplemented by the expertise of member representatives (who contribute to working groups, scenario modeling, etc., on a volunteer basis).

21. Public Communications: BEC maintains an official website (bec.org.nz) with publications and updates, and it engages in public communications through press releases (often via BusinessNZ’s media channels) and events. It has a social media presence (e.g. Twitter @BusNZEnergy and a LinkedIn page) for outreach. The Young Energy Professionals Network (YEPN) is an initiative under BEC aimed at engaging emerging leaders. BEC’s messaging heavily emphasizes sustainability and the future of energy, aligning with its branding as advocating a “sustainable, affordable and secure energy system”.

22. Relevant Associates & Links: BEC works alongside other BusinessNZ divisions and external groups on overlapping issues. It is part of the BusinessNZ Network, which includes the Sustainable Business Council (focused on corporate sustainability) and Major Companies Group, among others. BEC often coordinates with these groups on climate and infrastructure policy. Internationally, BEC’s affiliation with the World Energy Council gives it access to research and an audience in global energy discussions. Domestically, BEC has ties to the Energy Resources Aotearoa (formerly PEPANZ) and other sector bodies through shared members or personnel (for instance, former BEC head John Carnegie moved to lead the oil and gas lobby). These connections position BEC within a wider network of business influence.

23. Lobbying & Advocacy Methods: BEC employs both public-facing advocacy (submissions, reports, media commentary) and direct engagement with decision-makers. It routinely submits detailed recommendations during government consultations – covering everything from fuel regulations to climate strategy. BEC also holds private briefings and roundtables with ministers and officials (often under the auspices of BusinessNZ). It has direct access to ministers: for example, the Energy Minister regularly speaks at BEC’s events, indicating a close dialogue. BEC’s leaders may meet with Cabinet ministers and senior officials behind closed doors on key policy issues (though such meetings are not publicly disclosed). Additionally, BEC leverages research as influence – commissioning studies (like the BEC2050 scenarios) that later inform policy debates and are cited by government agencies.

24. Transparency & Accountability: BEC operates in a lobbying environment with no mandatory disclosure of meetings or finances in New Zealand. It does not appear on any public lobbying register (none exists officially in NZ). Its transparency is largely limited to publishing its submissions and certain reports on its website. BEC does publicly list its members and fee structure, which is a positive transparency practice. However, details such as specific lobbying communications, funding breakdowns, or potential conflicts of interest are not disclosed. The Integrity Institute’s new unofficial register (to which this report contributes) is effectively the first time many of these details (e.g. leadership ties, wage subsidy, etc.) are compiled for public scrutiny.

25. Ethical Considerations: As part of BusinessNZ, BEC subscribes to BusinessNZ’s code of conduct, which emphasizes acting in members’ collective interests and with integrity. There is no separate published code of ethics for BEC’s lobbying. A potential concern is conflicts of interest given government agencies are members of BEC – BEC must balance public-interest perspectives with private members’ commercial interests. BEC insists it supports climate action and sustainable outcomes, yet its membership includes fossil fuel and high-emission industries, raising questions about industry influence over its stance. These ethical considerations are actively monitored by civil society.

26. Controversies: While BEC itself has not been embroiled in scandals, it has drawn criticism as part of the wider “road lobby” and business lobby in climate policy debates. In 2024, a study singled out BEC among groups using tactics to oppose certain transport emissions policies (comparing such lobbying to “tobacco industry” tactics). BEC publicly rejected being labeled “anti-climate” and highlighted its support for low-carbon technologies. This episode put a spotlight on BEC’s communications, suggesting it sometimes walks a fine line between promoting cleaner energy vs. defending status-quo interests.

27. Political Engagement: BEC itself does not donate to political parties and remains formally non-partisan. However, it is deeply politically engaged through policy influence. Its Chair and executives often have governmental experience or roles (e.g. former Chair Caygill’s political career, current Chair Lowe’s roles on government advisory boards). BEC’s parent BusinessNZ has been described as one of the most influential lobby groups in Wellington’s political sphere. During elections and major policy rollouts, BEC provides commentary and lobbies incoming ministers (for example, expressing its agenda to a “new Government” in 2023/24). It generally aligns with pro-business perspectives in its political engagement – supportive of market mechanisms (like the Emissions Trading Scheme) and cautioning against overly “disruptive” regulations.

28. Oversight & Regulation: There is no dedicated oversight of BEC’s lobbying in NZ’s current system. BEC’s influence activities fall under the voluntary oversight of BusinessNZ’s governance and the general legal framework for incorporated societies. It is not subject to the Official Information Act or other public scrutiny measures (aside from any voluntary transparency). Recent calls for a lobbying register in New Zealand, if implemented, would likely require BEC/BusinessNZ to disclose lobbying contacts. As of now, oversight is largely via media and watchdog reports – such as this registry entry – shining light on BEC’s influence.

29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Yes. Although BEC did not apply separately, its parent BusinessNZ received COVID-19 wage subsidies in 2020 to retain staff. Public records show Business New Zealand Inc. received payments for 26 employees, totaling around $174,281 under the initial 2020 Wage Subsidy, plus additional support in a later round. (BusinessNZ was instrumental in advocating for the wage subsidy’s creation, and ultimately did make use of it.) No information indicates that any subsidy was repaid; BEC’s operations benefited indirectly from this government support.

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Sources

[1] BusinessNZ Energy Council – About Us, BusinessNZ Energy Council (bec.org.nz). Retrieved May 2025 from https://bec.org.nz/about/ (BEC is a brand of BusinessNZ, representing the World Energy Council in NZ, advocating for a sustainable, equitable, secure energy future)

[2] New Zealand Member Committee – BusinessNZ Energy Council, World Energy Council. Retrieved May 2025 from https://www.worldenergy.org/ … /new-zealand (Since 2013 BEC has united BusinessNZ and the former Energy Federation of NZ memberships, sharing energy information, representing member views, and organising reports, seminars. Goal: “support NZ’s economic well-being through sustainable energy development”)

[3] David Caygill to chair BusinessNZ Energy Council, BusinessNZ (Media Release, 31 Jul 2015). Available at BusinessNZ website and Scoop. (Announces former Finance Minister Hon David Caygill as incoming BEC Chair, replacing Dr Rob Whitney who led BEC and its predecessor for over a decade)

[4] New head for Energy Council, BusinessNZ (Media Release, 29 Nov 2019). (BusinessNZ appoints Tina Schirr as Executive Director of BEC, replacing John Carnegie who left to head PEPANZ. Schirr was Senior Policy Advisor for Energy & Innovation at BusinessNZ)

[5] BusinessNZ’s response to climate consultation, BusinessNZ (Media Release, 29 Mar 2021). (Kirk Hope and BEC’s Tina Schirr outline BusinessNZ’s submission on the Climate Change Commission’s advice – supporting net-zero, stressing ETS, warning against focusing on gross emissions. Schirr notes transport emissions cuts “ambitious” and possibly unrealistic)

[6] NZ road lobby’s tobacco industry-like tactics revealed in study, Radio New Zealand News (RNZ, 13 Dec 2024). (Reports University of Otago study finding road lobby groups (incl. BEC) used spin akin to tobacco lobby to resist policies favoring walking, cycling, public transport. Emphasis on individual behavior, deflecting industry responsibility. Contains BEC spokesperson rejecting the “anti-climate” suggestion and highlighting BEC’s support for biofuels, hydrogen, EVs)

[7] BusinessNZ Energy Council Welcomes New Chair, Scoop News (Press Release from BusinessNZ, 23 Jan 2024). (Announces Greg Lowe as new BEC Chair from 1 Feb 2024. Lowe brings extensive engineering sector leadership experience. Tina Schirr thanks outgoing chair David Caygill (Chair since 2016) for his service and political insight. Lowe eager to help decarbonise NZ economy while ensuring opportunities)

[8] Join BEC – Member Fees, BusinessNZ Energy Council. Retrieved May 2025 from https://bec.org.nz/join-bec/ (Lists BEC’s annual membership fees in NZD: Startups $990; BusinessNZ members $3,000; Government $3,000; Academia $3,000; Non-BusinessNZ members $5,000 +GST. Encourages companies committed to a sustainable energy future to join like-minded leaders)

[9] Energy, Environment & Infrastructure – BusinessNZ Energy Council, BusinessNZ (Business Issues page, updated 2025). (Describes BusinessNZ’s work in energy/climate. Notes Tina Schirr as Executive Director for Energy & Innovation, leading BEC (the WEC member committee). Highlights BEC’s Energy Briefing 2020 (in context of COVID) and BEC Energy Scenarios: “EECA, BEC, businesses, academia and government have prepared two scenarios of NZ’s energy future to 2060.” Provides links to submissions)

[10] BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) Breakfast – Speech by Hon Megan Woods, Beehive.govt.nz (10 March 2022). (Energy Minister Megan Woods addresses a BEC event, acknowledging it as an important forum to discuss priorities with leading energy-sector businesses, government and research organisations. Emphasises climate change as a key government priority and the need for fundamental shifts in the energy system, while noting benefits of investing in a sustainable energy system)

[11] Integrity Briefing: Launching the NZ Lobbying & Influence Register, Bryce Edwards (The Democracy Project), Substack post (7 Apr 2025). (Announcement of The Integrity Institute’s independent lobbying register. Explains NZ is lagging in regulating lobbying, so this unofficial register is created to shine sunlight on who influences politics. Mentions entries for major lobby groups like BusinessNZ, Chambers of Commerce, PR firms, corporates etc. as initial drafts, inviting public input. Provides context that NZ ranked poorly (34/38 OECD) for influence regulation. Sets ethos: “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Though not specifically about BEC, provides background on the project under which BEC’s profile is being scrutinised)

[12] Major Companies Group – Profile by Bryce Edwards, The Integrity Institute / Democracy Project (2025). (Cites that BusinessNZ was instrumental in advocating for the wage subsidy in March 2020, meeting with the PM to propose it. Implies BusinessNZ/MCG had significant behind-the-scenes influence on COVID economic response. Also lists BusinessNZ’s registration details: Company Number 8290321, NZBN 9429050291915, Incorporated Society)

[13] COVID-19 Wage Subsidy – Employer Search data (official information release), Ministry of Social Development (MSD) (September 2023). (Listing of employers with 20+ staff that received wage subsidies. Shows “BUSINESS NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED – 26 employees – $174,280.80” under Wage Subsidy, and $45,147 under a later subsidy, indicating BusinessNZ (including BEC staff) benefited from the 2020 COVID wage subsidy scheme)

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz