Two big power suppliers have blamed the Emissions Trading Scheme for price rises which will add an average $5 a month to electricity bills.

Mercury Energy blames the Emissions Trading Scheme for its planned increase in prices from July.

A West Coast iwi has defended its decision to accept money from Meridian Energy for advice on the effects of a $300 million hydro dam.

Meridian Energy paid money to the local West Coast iwi after the iwi changed its position on a $300 million hydro dam.