Mighty River Power has confirmed plans to build a $466m geothermal electricity generation plant north of Taupo.

Government looks for $5b to $7b from sell-downs and smaller holding in Air NZ.

Soaring wholesale power prices last week have prompted complaints from 14 organisations, including ASB bank, Telecom, Vodafone and the owner of the Marsden Point oil refinery.

Mighty River Power is lifting its pre-tax earnings forecast by up to 7.5 per cent as it sees the benefits of $1 billion invested in new geothermal power stations.

Govt plans to partially sell some state assets, including power companies, could free up to $10bn, but critics say the move will lead to higher electricity prices and put too much control of strategic assets in foreign hands.

Water is one thing NZ has plenty of. So why don't we manage it better - for the economy and the environment? Nick Smith* reports.

Mercury Energy is offering customers the chance to take a punt and lock in power prices for the next three years.

Mighty River Power chief executive Doug Heffernan is NZ's highest-paid government employee with a $1.32m package.