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FY2009 Annual Report · Contact Energy
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Contents

Summary
Performance indicators
Chairman’s review

1 
2  
4 
6   Managing Director’s review
10  Management discussion of financial results
24  Company overview
27  Governance
40  Remuneration report
51  Security holder information

Financial contents

56  Financial statements
61  Notes to the financial statements
110  Audit report

111  Corporate directory

The 2009 Annual Meeting of Contact Energy Limited shareholders will be held at the 
Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Wellington on Thursday 22 October 2009, 
commencing at 10:30am NZDST.

The Notice of Annual Meeting and shareholder voting/proxy form have been provided 
separately to shareholders.

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  1

Summary

For the financial year ended 30 June 2009

•    Weather extremes, transmission constraints and reduced electricity demand 

combined to impact on earnings, with underlying earnings after tax of  
$161 million, down from $233 million for the 12 months to 30 June 2008

•    Generators and turbines delivered for the 200 megawatt gas-fired peaking  

power station under construction at Stratford

•    Commenced injection of natural gas into the Ahuroa natural gas storage  

facility near Stratford

•    Continued construction of the 23 megawatt Tauhara phase one geothermal  

power station at Taupo

•    Secured final resource consents for the company’s 220 megawatt Te Mihi 

geothermal power station 

•    Continued to develop wind, hydro and geothermal generation options

•    Completed the installation of more than 42,000 smart meters in Christchurch 

customers’ houses

•    Celebrated 50 years of renewable geothermal generation at the Wairakei  

power station with a community open day and celebration

•    Raised $550 million in Contact’s first retail bond issue – the most successful  

issue raising in New Zealand for a non ‘A’ rated company

•    Introduced a profit distribution plan that allows retention of cash for investment 

in the business

• 

 Total distributions to shareholders equivalent to 28 cents per share, under the 
profit distribution plan

For more information, please visit our website at www.contactenergy.co.nz or contact:

Investor Relations 
PO Box 10742 
Wellington 
Phone: 64 4 499 4001 
Email: annualreport@contactenergy.co.nz

2 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Performance indicators

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$

e
r
a
h
s

r
e
p
s
t
n
e
C

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$

300

250

200

150

100

50

600

500

400

300

200

100

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

600

500

400

300

200

100

e
s
a
B

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

Underlying earnings for the period

Total operating revenue

241.6

231.2

232.8

197.1

160.6

2,330

1,998

1,759

2,757

2,222

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

2005

2006A

2007B

2008B

2009B

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

EBITDAF1

489.1

557.0

543.7

567.2

445.3

Operating cash flow per share2

84.1

71.6

73.8

72.3

e
r
a
h
s

r
e
p
s
t
n
e
C

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

50.3

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Underlying earnings per share2

Net debt/debt+equity

41.10

39.32

39.60

33.52

27.35

t
n
e
c

r
e
P

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

30

27

23

23

23

2005

2006A

2007B

2008B

2009B

2005

2006

2007R

2008

2009

Capital and investment expenditure

Underlying return on total assets

488.8

282.0

t
n
e
c

r
e
P

6

5

4

3

2

1

138.7

149.2

90.5

5.3

4.5

4.6

4.4

3.0

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2005

2006A

2007RB

2008BC

2009B

CEN relative to the NZX50

Shareholder return

)
e
n
i
l
(

)
E
Y
(
n
r
u
t
e
r
e
v
i
t
a
l
u
m
u
C

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

10.0

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0

)
r
a
b
(
e
c
i
r
p
e
r
a
h
s
E
Y

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

4
0
/
7
0
/
1
0

4
0
/
0
1
/
1
0

5
0
/
1
0
/
1
0

5
0
/
4
0
/
1
0

5
0
/
7
0
/
1
0

5
0
/
0
1
/
1
0

6
0
/
1
0
/
1
0

6
0
/
4
0
/
1
0

6
0
/
7
0
/
1
0

6
0
/
0
1
/
1
0

7
0
/
1
0
/
1
0

7
0
/
4
0
/
1
0

7
0
/
7
0
/
1
0

7
0
/
0
1
/
1
0

8
0
/
1
0
/
1
0

8
0
/
4
0
/
1
0

8
0
/
7
0
/
1
0

8
0
/
0
1
/
1
0

9
0
/
1
0
/
1
0

9
0
/
4
0
/
1
0

9
0
/
7
0
/
1
0

CEN NZ

NZX50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  3

Generation by fuel source

Wholesale electricity price

s
r
u
o
h
t
t
a
w
a
g
i
G

14,000

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

4,702

1,765

3,982

6,649

5,413

5,351

4,094

1,820

3,065

1,968

2,180

2,311

3,639

3,504

3,543

r
u
o
h
t
t
a
w
a
g
e
M

r
e
p
$

125

100

75

50

25

92.84

106.90

54.72

53.70

56.08

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Hydro

Geothermal

Thermal

Retail electricity sales

Customer numbers (including LPG franchisees)

10,000

s
r
u
o
h
t
t
a
w
a
g
i
G

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

t
n
e
c

r
e
P

e
r
a
h
s

r
e
p
s
t
n
e
C

10

8

6

4

2

30

25

20

15

10

5

7,213

7,361

7,564

7,800

7,609

85

79

49

75

51

75

54

67

513

515

513

520

479

)
s
0
0
0
(

)
s
P
C
I
(

s
r
e
b
m
u
n
r
e
m
o
t
s
u
C

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Electricity

Gas

LPG

Underlying return on shareholders’ equity

Total assets

9.47

8.28

7.96

8.02

5.46

6,000

5,000

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

4,381

4,580

4,985

5,241

5,432

2005

2006A

2007RB

2008B

2009B

2005

2006

2007R

2008C

2009

Profit distribution and dividends per share3

Shareholders’ equity

25.7

26.0

27.0

28.0

28.0

2,381

2,552

2,904

2,904

2,942

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2005

2006

2007R

2008

2009

Notes to the graphs
Comparatives have been restated to reflect current period presentation where appropriate.

•					The	2005	reporting	period	was	for	the	nine	months	ended	30	June	2005	and	the	results	of	that	period	have	been	annualised	where	appropriate	for	the	purposes	of	the	

above	graphs;	for	2006	and	subsequent	years	the	reporting	period	is	the	year	ended	30	June.

•				The	above	financial	statistics,	returns	and	ratios	are	based	on	Financial	Statements	prepared	in	accordance	with	New	Zealand	equivalents	to	International	Financial	

Reporting	Standards	(NZIFRS).

R			Denotes	years	in	which	Contact’s	property,	plant	and	equipment	were	revalued.	The	revaluation	affects	total	assets,	shareholders’	funds	and	related	ratios.
A		Excludes	gain	on	disposal	of	subsidiaries	and	change	in	fair	value	of	financial	instruments,	both	net	of	tax.
B		Excludes	change	in	fair	value	of	financial	instruments	and	other	significant	one-off	items	both	net	of	tax	where	appropriate.
C			The	2008	total	assets	have	been	adjusted	to	reflect	the	presentational	changes	of	financial	instruments	and	deferred	financing	costs.
1	 		Earnings	before	net	interest	expense,	income	tax,	depreciation,	amortisation,	financial	instruments	and	other	significant	items.	The	year	ended	30	June	2006	was	the	first	

year	in	which	changes	in	the	fair	value	of	financial	instruments	were	recognised	within	the	Income	Statement	in	accordance	with	NZIFRS.

2			The	number	of	shares	used	for	the	current	and	prior	year	comparatives	in	the	‘underlying	earnings	per	share’	and	‘operating	cash	flow	per	share’	analysis	has	been	adjusted	

for	the	impact	of	the	bonus	shares	issued	under	the	profit	distribution	plan	(PDP).

3			The	number	of	shares	used	in	the	‘profit	distribution	and	dividends	per	share’	analysis	has	not	been	adjusted	for	the	impact	of	the	bonus	shares	issued	under	the	PDP	and	
represents	the	number	of	ordinary	shares	on	issue	at	the	dividend	declaration	date	less	any	shares	held	as	treasury	stock.	The	total	distribution	paid	is	in	respect	of	each	
financial	year.	Prior	to	2009,	all	distributions	were	fully	imputed	cash	dividends.	For	the	2009	financial	year	the	PDP	operated	as	a	non-taxable	bonus	issue,	with	any	
shares	bought	back	being	fully	imputed	cash	dividends.

	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Chairman’s review

Weather and transmission present challenges to performance

The	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009	was	challenging	for	Contact,	largely	as	a	result	of	unusual	weather	
conditions,	transmission	constraints,	and	the	effects	of	economic	recession	on	energy	demand	growth.	 
Despite	this,	the	company	has	taken	important	steps	to	strengthen	its	financial	position	and	has	advanced	 
its	strategy	of	investing	for	future	growth.	

The full year result and contributing factors
Contact	achieved	Earnings	Before	Net	Interest	Expense,	Income	Tax,	Depreciation,	Amortisation,	Financial	 
Instruments	and	Other	Significant	Items	(EBITDAF)	of	$445.3	million,	down	21	per	cent	from	$567.2	million	 
in	the	2008	financial	year.	Underlying	earnings	were	$160.6	million,	down	31	per	cent	from	$232.8	million.

The	key	drivers	of	the	reduction	in	EBITDAF	were:

•	

•	

	a	decrease	in	net	contribution	from	electricity	as	a	result	of	high	electricity	purchase	costs	to	service	retail	
customers	in	the	South	Island	in	the	first	quarter,	and	a	significant	drop	in	generation	revenue	over	the	
remainder	of	the	year	due	to	a	combination	of	low	wholesale	prices,	transmission	constraints	(which	limited	
hydro	generation)	and	some	unplanned	thermal	generation	outages

	a	25	per	cent	per	unit	increase	in	gas	costs	and	a	loss	of	gas	supply	flexibility	following	the	roll-off	of	gas	
supply	contracts	from	the	Maui	field.	

While	the	period	was	challenging	and	the	full	year	result	disappointing,	Contact	took	a	number	of	significant	
decisions	over	the	financial	year	–	supported	by	the	company’s	strong	financial	position	–	that	will	enable	us	 
to	restore	valuable	flexibility	of	fuel	supply	and	generation.	This	positions	the	company	well	to	continue	to	 
grow	and	deliver	value	to	shareholders,	as	well	as	making	a	significant	contribution	to	New	Zealand’s	long	term	
energy	security.

Distribution to shareholders 
Notwithstanding	the	full	year	result,	Contact’s	Board	of	Directors	resolved	to	hold	the	2009	final	distribution	 
to	shareholders	at	the	equivalent	of	17	cents	per	share,	made	under	the	company’s	profit	distribution	plan,	 
which	was	introduced	during	the	2009	year.	Under	the	plan,	all	shareholders	receive	distributions	in	the	form	 
of	bonus	shares,	with	the	option	to	have	those	shares,	or	a	portion	of	them,	bought	back	by	Contact	for	cash	 
as	a	fully	imputed	dividend.	As	a	consequence,	shareholders	have	the	choice	between	retaining	shares	and/or	
receiving	cash.

The	decision	to	maintain	the	distribution	level	was	based	on	the	expectation	that	the	company’s	financial	
performance	will	return	to	normal	trends.	Any	reoccurrence	of	extreme	hydrology,	transmission	constraints,	
adverse	government	policy	changes	or	a	prolonging	of	the	economic	recession	could	impact	Contact’s	financial	
performance	in	the	near	to	medium	term.	To	the	extent	such	impacts	do	occur,	the	company	would	be	unlikely	 
to	maintain	distributions	at	this	year’s	level.

Financial position
Over	the	year,	Contact	undertook	a	number	of	steps	to	enhance	the	company’s	financial	strength,	including	 
issuing	$550	million	of	fixed	rate	unsecured,	unsubordinated	retail	bonds	–	after	seeking	to	raise	$300	million 
and	closing	well	oversubscribed	–	and	implementing	the	profit	distribution	plan,	which	enabled	$50	million	of	
cash	to	be	retained	in	the	business	in	respect	of	the	interim	distribution.	The	capital	raised	by	the	bond	issue	and	
the	profit	distribution	plan	are	being	used	to	fund	investments	in	new	generation	projects	and	the	Ahuroa	natural	
gas	storage	facility.

During	the	financial	year,	Contact	also	increased	and	extended	the	terms	of	its	bank	facilities,	and	as	at	30	June	
2009	had	$685	million	of	undrawn	bank	facilities.

At	the	end	of	the	2009	financial	year,	Contact’s	net	debt	stood	at	$1,124.2	million.	With	a	gearing	of	net	debt	to	 
net	debt	plus	equity	of	27	per	cent,	Contact’s	financial	strength	continues	to	position	the	company	well	in	terms	 
of	navigating	the	complexity	of	the	current	economic	circumstances	and	executing	growth	options	when	economic	
conditions are conducive. 

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  5

Governance
There	have	been	a	number	of	changes	to	the	Contact	Board	over	the	year.	In	March	2009,	highly	respected	company	
director	Sue	Sheldon	joined	the	Board	as	an	independent	director,	and	Contact’s	Chief	Executive,	David	Baldwin,	
was	appointed	to	the	Board	as	Managing	Director.	

At	the	end	of	the	financial	year	Tim	Saunders	retired	from	the	Contact	Board	as	an	independent	director.	With	 
the	exception	of	a	two	year	period,	Tim	has	been	involved	in	Contact’s	governance	since	the	company	was	first	
formed	and	has	made	a	significant	contribution	to	building	the	company.	On	behalf	of	the	Board,	I	thank	Tim	for	 
his	contribution	and	commitment	and	wish	him	all	the	best	for	the	future.	

Outlook
When	the	country	emerges	from	recession,	increasing	demand	for	energy	will	require	new	sources	of	generation 
to	be	built	in	order	to	maintain	security	of	supply.	This	will	create	upward	pressure	on	electricity	prices	to	support	
investment	in	new	generation.	

Contact	is	well	placed	to	support	New	Zealand’s	requirement	for	new	generation.	Over	the	coming	year,	Contact’s	
capital	expenditure	is	forecast	to	exceed	the	$490	million	invested	over	the	last	year	(almost	double	the	level	of	
capital	expenditure	in	the	previous	year)	as	the	company	continues	to	execute	its	strategy	of	investing	in	projects	
that	both	restore	portfolio	flexibility	and	expand	geothermal	generation.	

Grant King
Chairman

6 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Managing Director’s review

Navigating complexity

Introduction
While	Contact	has	always	faced	earnings	fluctuations	as	a	result	of	weather	and	managed	that	risk	through	our	
geographic	and	fuel	diversity,	the	confluence	of	extreme	weather	conditions	and	other	external	factors	impacted	
Contact’s	result	for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009.	

Key	among	the	factors	influencing	the	result	was	the	loss	of	pole	one	of	the	High	Voltage	Direct	Current	(HVDC)	
transmission	system,	which	constrained	the	company’s	ability	to	manage	the	volatility	associated	with	fluctuations	
in	hydrology.	This	occurred	in	a	year	that	saw	both	extremes	of	drought	and	deluge	in	the	South	Island,	where	
Contact’s	hydro	assets	are	located.	

During	the	severe	winter	drought	in	the	South	Island,	transmission	constraints	north	of	Wellington	and	across	the	
HVDC	prevented	Contact	from	transmitting	thermal	generation	from	the	North	to	the	South	Island,	requiring	the	
company	to	purchase	very	high	priced	power	from	the	market	to	meet	South	Island	customer	demand.

When	the	situation	reversed	in	the	spring	and	the	southern	hydro	lakes	rapidly	filled,	transmission	constraints	 
in	the	lower	South	Island,	combined	with	the	loss	of	electricity	demand	from	the	Tiwai	Point	aluminium	smelter,	
forced	Contact	to	spill	more	than	400	gigawatt	hours	of	potential	generation	–	enough	to	power	more	than	40,000	
homes	for	a	year	–	as	the	transmission	system	could	not	take	any	additional	generation.

At	the	same	time,	the	anticipated	changes	to	Contact’s	gas	supply	arrangements	also	impacted	the	business.	 
As	well	as	gas	being	more	expensive,	current	contractual	arrangements	also	limit	the	company’s	ability	to	vary	 
the	amount	of	gas	Contact	takes	throughout	the	year.	During	periods	of	high	hydro	inflows	and	low	wholesale	
prices	in	the	year	to	30	June	2009,	gas	supply	inflexibility	constrained	the	company’s	ability	to	reduce	higher-
priced	thermal	generation.	This	lack	of	gas	supply	flexibility	is	being	addressed	through	Contact’s	investment	in	 
an	underground	gas	storage	facility	at	Ahuroa	–	a	first	for	New	Zealand	–	which	will	be	operational	from	mid	2010.	

While	the	financial	result	for	the	year	to	30	June	2009	was	disappointing,	significant	progress	was	made	in	a	
number	of	important	areas	that	position	Contact	well	to	execute	its	growth	strategy	over	the	coming	months	 
and	years.	

Strategy for growth
Contact’s	strategy	for	new	generation	development	is	to	pursue	a	range	of	options	across	the	major	fuel	types	
–	thermal,	geothermal,	wind	and	hydro	–	that	we	can	execute	at	the	right	time	to	suit	the	changing	operating	
environment.	This	way,	we	can	develop	the	lowest	cost	generation	options	first,	ensuring	the	best	outcomes	 
for	shareholders	and	New	Zealand.	

Geothermal
Among	those	available	options	in	the	current	environment,	Contact’s	priority	is	geothermal	generation	investment,	
given	its	current	costs	relative	to	other	generation	options	and	Contact’s	expertise	in	geothermal	development.	In	
the	year	to	30	June	2009,	we	made	pleasing	progress	on	a	number	of	key	geothermal	developments:

•		

•		

•		

	Construction	of	Contact’s	$100	million,	23	megawatt	Tauhara	phase	one	geothermal	binary	plant	is	on	track,	
with	commissioning	of	the	plant	expected	around	mid	2010	(on	time	and	within	budget).	

	In	September	2008,	final	resource	consents	were	granted	for	Contact’s	220	megawatt	Te	Mihi	geothermal	
power station. 

	Development	of	Contact’s	proposed	Tauhara	phase	two	power	station,	a	geothermal	plant	of	up	to	240	
megawatts,	was	advanced.	

The	sequencing	and	timing	of	both	the	Te	Mihi	and	Tauhara	phase	two	projects	is	dependent	on	a	number	of	
factors	including	electricity	demand	growth,	credit	conditions,	carbon	policies,	currency	rates	and	resource	
consents.	Consents	exist	for	the	operation	of	the	Wairakei	power	station	until	2026,	enabling	Contact	to	
appropriately	time	the	Te	Mihi	development	to	achieve	optimal	value.	

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  7

Gas
Contact’s	investment	in	a	200	megawatt	fast-start	gas-fired	peaking	power	station	and	a	gas	storage	facility	will	 
be	key	to	restoring	some	of	the	operational	flexibility	lost	through	the	end	of	the	Maui	gas	contract,	the	increasing	
exposure	to	fixed	take	or	pay,	high-cost	gas	supply	contracts	and	the	decommissioning	of	the	company’s	gas-fired	
New	Plymouth	power	station.

The	Ahuroa	gas	storage	project,	a	$250	million	development,	will	enable	Contact	to	switch	off	its	gas-fired	
baseload	power	stations	when	market	conditions	do	not	support	them	running,	and	store	the	gas	for	later	use.

Contact’s	$250	million	gas-fired	peaking	power	station	at	Stratford	will	enable	us	to	respond	to	increasing	levels	 
of	volatility	in	electricity	demand	peaks	that	result	in	price	volatility.

Wind 
As	part	of	Contact’s	strategy	to	secure	generation	development	options	across	the	range	of	key	fuel	sources,	 
the	company	continues	to	advance	resource	consent	applications	for	two	wind	farms	–	one	in	the	Waikato	and	 
the	other	in	southern	Hawke’s	Bay	–	for	development	when	economic	conditions	support	them.

Hydro
In	Contact’s	view,	new	hydro	projects	will	be	required	in	New	Zealand’s	medium	to	long	term	energy	future,	
especially	if	the	country	is	to	meet	its	climate	change	obligations	and	avoid	the	need	to	import	thermal	fuels.	

Following	a	review	of	plans	inherited	when	Contact	was	formed,	Contact	began	engaging	with	local	communities	 
in	April	2009	on	four	options	for	new	hydro	development	on	the	Clutha	River,	with	a	view	to	selecting	a	preferred	
option	for	further	development.	The	process	of	community	engagement,	together	with	engineering	design	and	
review,	and	the	consenting	of	an	eventual	option	will	take	some	time,	but	will	be	in	step	with	the	country’s	need	
for	new	large-scale	hydro	development	towards	the	end	of	the	next	decade.

Contact	also	holds	resource	consents	for	the	17	megawatt	hydro	power	station	at	the	Lake	Hawea	control	gates	
and	will	continue	to	review	the	economic	feasibility	of	this	project	for	development.

Creating an environment that is conducive to investment 
The	extent	to	which	Contact’s	generation	growth	options	can	be	executed,	and	the	benefits	for	shareholders	and	
New	Zealanders	realised,	is	dependent	on	a	number	of	factors,	including	transmission	investment,	regulatory	
certainty	and	acceptance	of	the	need	for	prices	to	rise	appropriately	over	time	to	support	new	generation	
investment.	Contact	is	committed	to	working	with	stakeholders	in	all	these	areas	to	positively	contribute	to	an	
environment	that	is	conducive	for	investment.	

Transmission
Investment	in	the	national	transmission	grid	is	urgently	required	to	ensure	the	electricity	market	can	operate	
optimally	and	play	its	role	in	delivering	the	efficiencies	required	to	meet	public	expectations	around	reliability	 
of	supply	and	the	prices	end-consumers	pay	for	electricity.	

As	the	events	of	the	2009	financial	year	have	clearly	demonstrated,	a	key	priority	is	the	replacement	of	pole	one	 
of	the	HVDC	by	April	2012	(by	what	is	known	as	pole	three)	to	enable	electricity	to	be	moved	freely	between	the	
North	and	South	Islands.	

Wider	upgrading	of	the	grid	–	in	which	there	has	been	no	major	investment	since	the	1980s	–	is	also	critical	to	
ensuring	that	the	transmission	system	can	deliver	electricity	from	new	sources	of	generation	to	end-consumers	 
and	cope	with	increased	load.	Positive	advances	in	this	area	include	Transpower’s	enhancements	to	regional	
transmission	capacity	in	Southland	by	the	end	of	this	calendar	year.	

I	will	continue	to	participate	as	a	member	of	the	HVDC	Procurement	Advisory	Group	and	to	support	Transpower’s	
project	to	replace	pole	one	of	the	HVDC,	in	addition	to	supporting	Transpower’s	efforts	to	strengthen	and	hasten	
transmission	investment	across	the	network.

8 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Regulatory certainty
Certainty	in	key	areas	of	policy	is	a	necessary	precondition	of	any	investment	decision.	Notwithstanding	this,	
Contact	continues	to	support	workable	improvements	to	the	efficient	operation	of	the	electricity	market	and	is	
participating	fully	in	the	Ministerial	Taskforce	review	of	the	sector.	In	particular,	Contact	supports	the	Government’s	
commitment	to	streamlining	regulatory	functions	to	enable	more	efficient	oversight	of	the	sector	and	improvements	
to the transmission investment process.

Securing	resource	consent	for	a	power	station	–	particularly	a	renewable	wind	farm	or	hydro	power	station	–	
remains	challenging.	While	there	should	always	be	a	careful	independent	consideration	of	a	project’s	impacts	and	
benefits,	Contact	supports	the	focus	of	the	current	review	of	the	Resource	Management	Act	and	the	development	of	
a	Government	Policy	Statement	that	places	greater	weight	on	the	benefits	of	renewable	projects.

While	the	emissions	trading	scheme	has	been	delayed	from	a	1	January	2010	implementation	date	for	the	
stationary	energy	sector,	the	introduction	of	a	carbon	pricing	regime	remains	highly	likely.	Contact	believes	an	
emissions	trading	scheme	remains	the	most	appropriate	way	to	price	carbon	and	to	shift	investment	decisions	 
in	new	generation	from	thermal	to	renewable	technologies.

Contact	remains	well	positioned	to	capitalise	from	opportunities	in	a	carbon	pricing	environment.	

Pricing to support investment
Without	appropriate	investment	in	new	generation,	there	will	likely	be	greater	demand	for	electricity	than	 
available	supply	from	around	2014	onwards.	This	will	have	significant	impacts	on	individuals	as	well	as	 
businesses	and	industries	that	are	the	bedrock	of	New	Zealand’s	economy,	particularly	in	terms	of	reliability	 
of	supply.

However,	while	electricity	is	an	essential	part	of	our	lives,	its	value	is	only	obvious	when	it	is	not	there,	and	it	 
is	therefore	generally	taken	for	granted.	In	this	context,	there	is	consistently	strong	resistance	from	consumers	 
and	other	stakeholders	to	electricity	price	increases.	Like	others	in	the	industry,	we	have	a	role	to	play	in	better	
articulating	the	rationale	for	electricity	price	increases	and	communicating	the	value	of	electricity,	so	that	the	 
retail	market	is	priced	not	only	competitively	but	also	realistically	to	support	new	investment.	

Our people
Our	people’s	health	and	safety	is	of	paramount	importance	in	maintaining	the	highest	standards	of	operational	
excellence.	Contact	performed	well	in	the	2008	financial	year	in	terms	of	health	and	safety,	but	this	performance	 
has	slipped	in	the	2009	financial	year,	which	is	not	acceptable	to	us.	In	this	context,	a	key	priority	for	the	current	
financial	year	is	new	or	improved	initiatives	to	foster	the	company’s	health	and	safety	culture	and	rigorous	target	
setting	and	reporting	on	all	relevant	measures.	More	detailed	information	on	Contact’s	health	and	safety	
performance	can	be	found	in	Contact’s	2009	Sustainability Report,	available	on	the	company’s	website.

Our customers 
Last	year,	our	customers	made	it	clear	they	perceived	a	link	between	price	increases	and	a	proposed	increase	to	the	
fee	pool	from	which	directors	are	paid,	which	was	not	acceptable	to	them.	The	result	was	a	loss	of	retail	customers	
over	the	course	of	the	year,	which	was	a	major	disappointment	for	everyone	at	Contact	that	we	are	working	hard	to	
reverse. 

We	have	been	focused	on	rebuilding	the	trust	and	confidence	of	our	customers	by	providing	a	range	of	new	offers	
such	as	fixed	price	plans	and	the	two	winter	price	freeze	for	certain	areas,	in	addition	to	the	usual	outstanding	
customer	service	from	our	dedicated	team	across	New	Zealand.

Our communities
We	recognise	that	like	others	in	this	industry,	Contact	has	a	relatively	large	footprint,	particularly	in	terms	of	our	
impact	on	communities	where	we	have	generation	interests.	In	this	context,	we	are	committed	to	development	and	
operational	excellence,	and	we	give	back	to	national	and	local	communities	in	ways	that	are	meaningful	to	them.	

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  9

A	highlight	for	this	financial	year	was	the	50th	anniversary	celebrations	for	Contact’s	Wairakei	power	station,	 
the	first	geothermal	plant	of	its	kind	anywhere	in	the	world.	As	well	as	hosting	a	series	of	community	events,	
Contact	commissioned	a	large	sculpture	to	be	gifted	to	the	Taupo	community	to	mark	the	50	year	milestone	 
and	the	special	relationship	between	the	people	of	the	Taupo	region	and	geothermal	energy.	For	more	detailed	
information	on	Contact’s	social	and	environmental	performance,	please	see	our	Sustainability Report,	available	
on	the	company’s	website.	

Conclusion
A	number	of	the	factors	that	contributed	to	the	financial	result	for	the	year	ended	30	June	2009	–	hydrology,	
wholesale	prices	and	electricity	demand	–	are	now	moving	back	towards	more	normal	patterns.	

Supported	by	the	important	steps	taken	to	strengthen	the	company’s	financial	position	in	the	year	to	30	June	
2009,	we	remain	focused	on	completing	and	commissioning	the	Ahuroa	gas	storage	and	Stratford	peaker	
projects	to	restore	operational	flexibility,	continuing	to	develop	other	growth	options,	attracting	and	retaining	
retail	customers	and	fostering	Contact’s	health	and	safety	culture.	

It’s	been	a	tough	year	for	Contact	but	I’m	proud	to	lead	such	a	talented	and	committed	team,	and	I	would	like	 
to	thank	the	Board	and	everyone	at	Contact	for	their	considerable	efforts	in	navigating	the	company	through	 
a	challenging	period.	I’m	excited	about	Contact’s	future	and	I’m	looking	forward	to	working	with	all	of	our	
stakeholders	as	we	work	to	accomplish	our	goals.

David Baldwin
Managing	Director

    
10 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Management discussion  
of financial results 

for the financial year ended 30 June 2009

Despite	a	particularly	challenging	year,	Contact	remains	well	positioned	to	invest	in	New	Zealand’s	most	important	
energy	projects,	and	deliver	growth	for	the	company’s	shareholders.

Introduction 
New	Zealand’s	electricity	system	depends	on	a	robust	and	reliable	transmission	backbone	to	transmit	electricity	
from	power	stations	across	the	country	to	customers.	

New	Zealand	has	a	heavy	reliance	on	hydro	generation	with	significant	potential	for	increasing	quantities	of	wind	
generation,	and	major	load	centres	geographically	isolated	from	key	generation	sources.	These	conditions	require	
a	modern	transmission	grid	that	accommodates	changing	electricity	generation	and	demand	patterns	to	ensure	
efficient	operation	of	the	electricity	market.

Investments	made	over	the	preceding	decades,	particularly	the	1970s	and	1980s,	were	oriented	towards	
strengthening	New	Zealand’s	transmission	backbone	to	support	the	movement	of	energy	between	the	South	 
and	North	Islands	and	within	the	islands.	However,	in	the	last	decade	there	has	been	very	little	investment	in	
transmission	while	electricity	demand	has	continued	to	grow.	

New	Zealand	has	had	three	reasonably	dry	winters	since	2000.	In	each	of	those	years	the	inter-island	high	voltage	
cable	(the	HVDC)	has	played	a	critical	role	in	enabling	North	Island	thermal	generation	to	support	the	South	Island	
during	the	periods	of	low	hydro	generation.	In	the	wetter	years,	the	HVDC	has	allowed	cheaper	hydro	generation	to	
be	transmitted	to	the	north	resulting	in	lower	thermal	generation.

Contact’s	financial	performance	over	the	past	10	years	has	reflected	this	inherent	flexibility.

During	dry	periods	such	as	2001,	2003	and	2006,	Contact	was	able	to	access	flexible,	relatively	cheap	natural	gas	
from	the	Maui	field	to	offset	the	reduction	of	hydro	generation.	Equally,	during	periods	of	high	hydro	inflows,	the	
flexibility	of	legacy	Maui	gas	supply	arrangements	enabled	Contact	to	reduce	gas	take	to	balance	generation	from	
its	gas-fired	stations	in	order	to	maximise	use	of	the	cheaper	hydro	generation.	Accordingly	Contact’s	financial	
performance	has	grown	over	time	despite	the	volatility	in	wholesale	electricity	prices.

EBITDAF and wholesale electricity prices

Y
F

r
e
p
s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$
Z
N

600

500

400

300

200

100

0 

1999

2000

2001 2002 2003

2004
Financial year

2005*

120

100

h
W
M
/
$

80

60

40

20

0

2006 2007 2008 2009

EBITDAF

Average wholesale electricity price

* 2005 shown as the 12 months to June 2005

 
 
 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  11

In	the	financial	year	ending	30	June	2009	we	have	seen	the	impact	of	changes	which	have	undermined	this	
flexibility:	

•		

•		

•		

	Demand	has	continued	to	rise	across	both	islands	while	the	South	Island	has	seen	very	little	increase	in	
new	generation.	As	a	result,	in	dry	conditions	there	is	an	increasing	dependence	on	the	HVDC	to	ensure	
security	of	supply	to	the	South	Island.	Transmission	constraints	across	the	alternating	current	(AC)	part	 
of	the	grid	are	also	more	prevalent.

	Flexible	low-cost	legacy	Maui	gas	supply	arrangements	have	now	expired	(although	Contact	still	retains	
further	ongoing	rights	to	other	Maui	gas).	Current	gas	supply	contracts	have	relatively	flat	and	fixed	daily	
take	requirements,	which	constrain	the	ability	of	gas-fired	power	stations	to	adjust	their	output	in	response	
to	fluctuating	hydro	inflows.	During	the	second	half	of	this	financial	year	the	impact	of	inflexible	and	high	
priced	gas	began	to	impact	the	operation	of	Contact’s	portfolio	with	the	gas-fired	plant	operating	at	times	
when	prices	were	insufficient	to	cover	the	variable	costs	of	operation.

	Pole	one	of	the	HVDC	was	unexpectedly	decommissioned	in	November	2007.	For	the	majority	of	the	time,	
the	remaining	pole	(pole	two),	together	with	available	generation	capacity	in	each	island,	is	sufficient	to	
ensure	North	and	South	Island	electricity	demand	is	met	at	a	similar	cost.	However,	during	periods	of	
extreme	weather,	such	as	the	drought	last	winter	and	the	high	inflows	over	the	summer	and	autumn,	the	
absence	of	a	second	Cook	Strait	cable	can	result	in	the	islands	operating	as	separate	markets,	often	with	 
a	significant	loss	of	system	efficiency.	During	periods	of	extreme	drought	in	the	South	Island,	the	system	
needs	a	robust	grid,	including	two	poles	to	move	energy	from	the	North	Island	to	the	South	Island.	Equally,	
when	inflows	into	the	southern	lakes	are	very	high	as	we	saw	in	the	second	half	of	the	financial	year,	hydro	
becomes	the	cheapest	source	of	electricity	for	the	country,	and	requires	two	poles	to	maximise	flow	to	the	
North	Island	to	minimise	both	the	spilling	of	water	and	the	use	of	thermal	fuels.	

Contact	has	implemented	a	series	of	strategies	to	help	to	mitigate	the	impact	of	transmission	system	
constraints	and	gas	supply	inflexibility.	These	include:

•		

•		

•		

•		

	In	2008,	Contact	acquired	the	rights	to	the	largely	depleted	Ahuroa	gas	reservoir	to	convert	the	field	into	an	
underground	gas	storage	facility.	Contact	commenced	injecting	gas	into	the	Ahuroa	field	in	December	2008	
and	a	total	of	5.6	petajoules	(PJ)	(excluding	LPG)	is	now	held	in	the	reservoir.	Although	the	gas	storage	
project	is	not	expected	to	be	fully	operational	until	2010,	the	storage	facility	has	already	provided	Contact	
with	a	valuable	source	of	fuel	flexibility	by	providing	an	ability	to	inject	and	store	‘must-take’	gas	during	the	
low	demand	and	high	hydro	inflow	summer	months.	With	the	addition	of	a	more	powerful	compressor	
during	September	2009	the	daily	volume	capable	of	being	injected	will	increase.	

	Also	in	2008,	Contact	commenced	the	development	and	construction	of	a	200	megawatt	(MW)	gas-fired	
peaking	plant	near	Taranaki,	which	is	on	schedule	to	be	completed	in	mid	2010.	As	the	market	experiences	
increasing	volatility	due	to	transmission	constraints,	and	weather-related	intermittency,	fast-start	plant	of	
this	nature	will	enable	Contact	to	respond	to	those	events.	Combined	with	access	to	gas	in	storage,	this	will	
provide	opportunities	for	Contact	to	leverage	volatile	market	conditions.	Market	conditions	in	the	second	
half	of	the	financial	year	which	exhibited	a	high	degree	of	intra-day	volatility	confirm	that	the	peakers	
combined	with	storage	will	be	valuable	additions	to	the	Contact	portfolio.

	Contact	is	actively	supporting	Transpower	in	its	efforts	to	execute	transmission	upgrades	across	the	
country,	including	participating	in	a	Transpower	procurement	advisory	group	in	relation	to	the	project	 
to	replace	pole	one	of	the	HVDC.	Pole	three	(the	replacement	for	pole	one)	is	currently	expected	to	be	
operational	by	April	2012.

	In	September	2008,	Contact	adjusted	tariffs	to	reflect	the	significant	risk	of	inter-island	price	separation	
during	periods	of	low	hydro	inflows,	arising	as	a	consequence	of	the	decommissioning	of	pole	one.	
Unsurprisingly,	other	South	Island	retailers	have	adjusted	tariffs	to	similar	levels.	

12 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

In	addition,	Transpower	is	implementing	a	series	of	transmission	upgrades	which,	when	complete,	are	expected	 
to	largely	alleviate	system	constraints.	These	include	a	project	which,	upon	completion	in	the	spring	of	2009,	is	
expected	to	increase	the	amount	of	hydro	power	that	can	be	transferred	out	of	the	Southland/Otago	area	by	up	 
to	an	additional	150	MW.	

Financial results to 30 June 2009
The	events	and	conditions	described	above	presented	Contact	with	extremely	challenging	trading	conditions	and	
significantly	contributed	to	a	disappointing	annual	result	for	the	period	ended	30	June	2009.	

EBITDAF
Contact	achieved	Earnings	Before	Net	Interest	Expense,	Income	Tax,	Depreciation,	Amortisation,	Financial	
Instruments	and	Other	Significant	Items	(EBITDAF)	of	$445.3	million,	down	21	per	cent	from	$567.2	million	 
for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.

The	key	drivers	of	the	$122	million	reduction	in	EBITDAF	in	the	2009	financial	year	were:

•		

•		

•		

	a	decrease	in	net	contribution	from	electricity	(after	electricity	purchase	cost)	of	$101	million.	The	main	
causes	of	this	were	high	purchase	costs	for	the	retail	customers	in	the	South	Island	in	the	first	quarter	and	a	
significant	drop	in	generation	revenue	in	the	remainder	of	the	year	due	to	low	wholesale	prices,	transmission	
constraints,	which	limited	hydro	generation,	and	some	unplanned	thermal	generation	outages;

	a	25	per	cent	per	unit	increase	in	gas	costs	–	this	added	$1.40	to	every	gigajoule	(GJ)	which	Contact	used.	 
This	increased	cost	combined	with	loss	of	gas	flexibility	placed	a	large	burden	on	the	business	in	a	year	in	
which	wholesale	electricity	prices	averaged	$56	per	megawatt	hour	(MWh);	and

	the	impact	of	the	recession	which	dampened	demand	growth	and	limited	the	ability	of	Contact	to	reflect	the	
increased	costs	of	generation	through	appropriate	tariff	movements.	

Depreciation
Depreciation	increased	by	$15.4	million	(11	per	cent)	to	$162	million	largely	due	to	increases	associated	with	 
the	long	term	maintenance	costs	for	the	gas-fired	plants	at	Otahuhu	and	Taranaki	Combined	Cycle	(TCC)	and	the	
geothermal	drilling	undertaken	to	increase	output	at	Wairakei	and	Ohaaki.

Interest expense
Net	interest	expense	for	the	period	reduced	by	$7.3	million	or	10	per	cent	to	$62.6	million	for	the	financial	 
year	ended	30	June	2009.	While	the	total	net	debt	increased,	interest	costs	were	lower	primarily	due	to	the	fact	
that	interest	on	strategic	investment	projects	such	as	the	Stratford	peaker	project,	the	first	phase	of	the	Tauhara	
geothermal	project,	and	the	Ahuroa	gas	storage	project,	is	capitalised	until	construction	is	completed.	In	the	
financial	year	ended	30	June	2009,	$21.5	million	of	interest	has	been	capitalised.

Income tax expense
Income	tax	for	the	period	at	$46.5	million	is	$55.6	million	lower	than	for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	
This	is	due	to	the	reported	profit	for	the	period	being	significantly	lower	at	$117.5	million	(compared	with	$237.1	
million)	and	the	lower	statutory	tax	rate	of	30	per	cent.	

Underlying earnings after tax
Underlying	earnings	after	tax	for	the	financial	year	to	30	June	2009	were	$160.6	million,	down	31	per	cent	from	
$232.8	million	for	the	prior	financial	year.	

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  13

Capital expenditure and investments
Contact’s	capital	expenditure	and	investments	for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009	were	$488.8	million	
(including	capitalised	interest).	Of	this,	$103.2	million	was	‘stay	in	business’	and	$385.6	million	was	growth	
capital	expenditure.	This	compares	with	$81.5	million	and	$200.5	million	respectively	for	the	financial	year	
ended	30	June	2008.	The	increase	in	growth	capital	expenditure	is	primarily	due	to	the	previously	announced	
investment	in	generation	projects	–	the	23	MW	Tauhara	geothermal	binary	plant,	the	200	MW	gas-fired	peaking	
plant	at	Stratford	and	gas	storage.	

The	increase	in	the	stay	in	business	capital	expenditure	is	primarily	due	to	a	major	inspection	and	plant	overhaul	
undertaken	at	Otahuhu	and	TCC	during	November	and	December	2008.

Net debt 
During	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009,	Contact	took	steps	to	strengthen	its	financial	position	by	extending	
and	increasing	its	debt	facilities	and	raising	capital	through	a	$550	million	domestic	retail	bond	issue.	

Based	on	the	NZD	equivalent	of	borrowings,	after	foreign	exchange	hedging,	and	net	of	short	term	deposits,	net	
debt	as	at	30	June	2009	was	$1,124.2	million,	compared	with	$878.4	million	as	at	30	June	2008.	This	is	largely	
due	to	the	significant	increase	in	growth	capital	expenditure	as	well	as	a	reduction	in	cash	flows	from	ongoing	
operations.	Contact’s	committed	credit	facilities	total	$685	million;	all	were	undrawn	at	30	June	2009.	With	a	
gearing	of	27	per	cent	as	at	30	June	2009,	Contact’s	financial	strength	continues	to	position	the	company	well	 
in	terms	of	navigating	the	complexity	of	the	current	economic	circumstances	and	executing	growth	options	when	
economic conditions are conducive. 

Profit Distribution Plan
In	addition	to	increasing	available	liquidity,	Contact	introduced	a	Profit	Distribution	Plan	(Plan),	effective	from	
(and	including)	the	interim	and	final	distributions	for	the	year	ended	30	June	2009.

Under	the	Plan,	all	shareholders	receive	distributions	in	the	form	of	non-taxable	bonus	shares,	with	the	option	to	
have	those	shares,	or	a	portion	of	them,	bought	back	by	Contact	for	cash	to	be	received	on	a	fully	imputed	basis.	
As	a	consequence,	shareholders	have	the	choice	between	retaining	shares	and/or	receiving	cash.

The	Plan	enabled	Contact	to	retain	approximately	$49	million	in	respect	of	the	interim	distribution	to	support	 
the	execution	of	Contact’s	strategic	initiatives,	with	77	per	cent	of	the	shares	issued	retained	by	shareholders.

Notwithstanding	the	events	of	the	2009	financial	year,	Contact’s	Board	of	Directors	resolved	to	hold	the	2009	
final	distribution	at	the	equivalent	of	17	cents	per	share.	The	decision	to	maintain	the	distribution	level	was	
based	on	the	expectation	that	the	company’s	financial	performance	would	return	to	normal	trends.	Any	
reoccurrence	of	extreme	hydrology,	transmission	constraints,	adverse	government	policy	changes,	or	a	prolonging	
of	the	recession	could	impact	Contact’s	financial	performance	in	the	near	to	medium	term.	To	the	extent	such	
impacts	do	occur,	the	company	would	be	unlikely	to	maintain	distributions	at	this	year’s	level.

Outlook 
In	respect	of	the	2010	financial	year,	the	extreme	weather	events	which	affected	the	business	in	July	and	August	
2008	will	not	recur	given	current	hydrological	conditions.	However,	wholesale	prices	are	currently	below	both	
the	variable	costs	of	operating	thermal	plant,	and	the	price	required	to	support	investment	in	new	generation.	 
In	addition,	current	economic	conditions	are	expected	to	continue	to	dampen	demand	growth	and,	consequently,	
tariff	movements.

14 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

While	the	construction	of	the	Ahuroa	gas	storage	and	Stratford	peaker	projects	are	on	schedule	for	completion	in	
mid	2010,	Contact	will	have	limited	ability	to	manage	gas	inflexibility	during	the	current	financial	year	(although	
Contact	is	continuing	to	inject	gas	into	Ahuroa	to	build	up	the	cushion	gas).	Ahuroa	gas	storage,	together	with	the	
Stratford	gas-fired	peakers,	will	make	a	material	difference	to	Contact’s	ability	to	manage	and	leverage	wholesale	
price	volatility.

When	the	country	emerges	from	recession,	energy	demand	will	also	grow.	As	demand	grows,	so	will	the	need	 
for	new	generation.	The	lack	of	certainty	of	domestic	gas	resources	and	prices	beyond	the	second	half	of	next	
decade	means	that	renewable	options	remain	at	the	forefront	of	new	generation	development.	Accordingly,	 
Contact	continues	to	develop	its	portfolio	of	renewable	generation	options	(geothermal,	wind	and	hydro),	 
whilst	maintaining	its	existing	consented	gas-fired	generation	options	at	Otahuhu	and	Taranaki	in	the	scenario	 
that	new	gas	is	discovered	and	new	gas-fired	generation	becomes	the	preferred	choice.	

Contact	holds	consents	to	construct	the	220	MW	Te	Mihi	geothermal	station	and	is	preparing	resource	consent	
applications	to	expand	the	Tauhara	geothermal	project	by	an	additional	240	MW.	The	sequencing	and	timing	of	 
the	Te	Mihi	and	Tauhara	projects	is	dependent	on	a	number	of	factors	including	electricity	demand	growth,	credit	
conditions,	carbon	policies,	currency	rates	and	resource	consents.	However,	we	currently	anticipate	both	projects	
will	be	implemented	over	time.

On	the	expectation	that	the	market	will	continue	to	experience	price	volatility	through	intermittency	of	generation,	
the	construction	of	Contact’s	fast-start	gas-fired	peaking	plant	and	its	gas	storage	project,	both	located	near	
Stratford,	Taranaki,	also	remain	central	to	the	company’s	renewables	strategy,	in	addition	to	deriving	value	from	
electricity	market	volatility.	

Given	that	almost	all	of	the	market’s	new	generation	options	are	higher	cost	than	current	generation,	electricity	
prices	will	need	to	rise	to	meet	the	cost	of	that	new	generation.	This	is	likely	to	require	tariff	increases	over	time,	
possibly	at	rates	higher	than	inflation	in	the	years	through	to	the	middle	of	the	next	decade,	to	support	new	
generation	investment.	

Contact	remains	well	positioned	in	the	longer	term.	New	generation	decisions	are	dependent	on	a	number	of	
economic	and	market	factors,	which	can	change	over	time.	Accordingly	Contact’s	strategy	of	securing	a	range	 
of	fuel	options	places	it	in	a	great	position	to	grow	market	share	in	generation	as	underlying	growth	supports	 
new	investment	and/or	as	a	substitute	for	existing	generation	as	legacy	fuel	declines.

Over	the	next	year,	Contact	will	complete	the	first	tranche	of	its	investment	to	restore	fuel	and	generation	
flexibility,	and	will	also	complete	the	first	new	geothermal	plant	on	the	large	Tauhara	geothermal	field;	an	
investment	across	the	three	projects	of	$600	million	in	key	infrastructure	which	will	support	New	Zealand’s	
economic	growth	and	security	of	supply	for	decades	to	come.	

Overview of performance for the period
As	the	following	graph	illustrates,	the	extreme	movements	in	hydrology	and	the	loss	of	pole	one	of	the	HVDC	 
led	to	a	number	of	periods	of	North	and	South	Island	price	separation	which	impacted	on	Contact’s	financial	
performance.	For	example,	in	August	and	September	2008	when	the	South	Island	was	in	drought,	Contact	was	
short	of	generation	in	the	South	Island,	and	this	resulted	in	Contact	supplying	electricity	to	its	South	Island	
customers	at	a	significant	loss.	

While	wholesale	prices	dropped	towards	the	end	of	the	first	half	of	the	financial	year,	and	were	low	throughout	the	
second	half	of	the	financial	year,	the	transmission	constraints	continued	to	limit	the	ability	to	move	hydro	energy	 
to	the	North	Island,	resulting	in	South	Island	prices	being	lower	than	those	in	the	North	Island.	At	times,	this	led	 
to	spilling	of	water	from	Contact’s	and	other	generators’	hydro	generation	assets	in	the	South	Island.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  15

North	Island	prices	rise	well	above	South	Island	prices	reflecting	North	Island	capacity	constraints

Prices	drop	dramatically	as	South	Island	storage	increases	–	north/south	flows	constrain

South	Island	prices	remain	high	as	drought	continues	with	transmission	constraints

Wholesale	prices	rise	as	storage	drops

)
h
W
G
(
e
g
a
r
o
t
S

4,500

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

$450

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

)
h
W
M
/
$
(
e
c
i
r
P

7
0
/
7
0
/
1
0

7
0
/
7
0
/
0
3

7
0
/
8
0
/
8
2

7
0
/
9
0
/
6
2

7
0
/
0
1
/
5
2

7
0
/
1
1
/
3
2

7
0
/
2
1
/
2
2

8
0
/
1
0
/
0
2

8
0
/
2
0
/
8
1

8
0
/
3
0
/
8
1

8
0
/
4
0
/
6
1

8
0
/
5
0
/
5
1

8
0
/
6
0
/
3
1

8
0
/
7
0
/
2
1

8
0
/
8
0
/
0
1

8
0
/
9
0
/
8
0

8
0
/
0
1
/
7
0

8
0
/
1
1
/
5
0

8
0
/
2
1
/
4
0

9
0
/
1
0
/
2
0

9
0
/
1
0
/
1
3

9
0
/
3
0
/
1
0

9
0
/
3
0
/
0
3

9
0
/
4
0
/
8
3

9
0
/
5
0
/
7
2

9
0
/
6
0
/
5
2

National mean storage
North Island prices

National storage
South Island prices

Later	in	the	financial	year,	the	North	Island	wholesale	prices	rose	well	above	the	South	Island	as	the	HVDC	
continued	to	constrain	and	the	North	Island	was	also	short	of	capacity	at	certain	times.	Given	that	Contact	 
is	generally	long	generation	in	the	North	Island,	Contact	was	able	to	benefit	from	such	conditions.

Due	to	the	low	wholesale	electricity	prices	in	the	second	half	of	the	financial	year,	total	electricity	revenue	 
was	$1,881	million;	$512	million	(21	per	cent)	lower	than	in	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	This	was	
driven	by	a	48	per	cent	decrease	in	wholesale	electricity	revenue	(as	a	result	of	a	48	per	cent	decrease	in	average	
wholesale	electricity	prices	and	a	10	per	cent	reduction	in	generation	volume),	offset	by	a	three	per	cent	increase	
in	retail	electricity	revenue.	After	netting	off	retail	electricity	purchases,	total	retail	and	wholesale	(net)	electricity	
revenue	was	$101	million	lower	than	for	the	period	ended	30	June	2008,	which	is	largely	attributable	to	
wholesale	market	conditions.	

By	way	of	illustration	of	the	impact	of	hydrology,	the	average	price	earned	by	Contact’s	generation	in	the	second	
half	of	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009	was	$40	per	MWh	–	compared	with	an	average	of	$173	per	MWh	
earned	in	the	second	half	of	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	The	average	wholesale	price	for	the	2009	
financial	year	of	$56	per	MWh	is	both	well	below	the	long	run	cost	of	electricity	and	the	variable	operating	cost	 
of	the	gas-fired	generation	plant.	

Total electricity revenue

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$
Z
N

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

1,244

955

1,148

544

1,286

594

June 2008

June 2009

Financial year ended

Retail purchases

Retail electricity revenue

Wholesale electricity revenue

 
 
 
 
 
16 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

During	the	financial	year,	there	were	two	significant	increases	in	the	quarterly	producer	price	index	(PPI).	The	PPI	
is	applied	to	adjust	gas	prices	in	most	of	Contact’s	gas	purchase	contracts.	These	recent	increases,	as	well	as	the	
completion	of	Contact’s	low	cost	Maui	367	gas	entitlements,	resulted	in	the	company	paying	about	25	per	cent	
more	per	GJ	for	gas	over	the	2009	financial	year.	This	was	significantly	higher	than	expected.	

Key financial information

Operating	revenue

Operating	expenses	(1)

EBITDAF (2)

Depreciation and amortisation

Equity	accounted	earnings	of	associates

Change	in	fair	value	of	financial	instruments

Removal	of	New	Plymouth	asbestos	and	related	costs

Impairment	of	investments

Gain	on	sale	of	Mokai	geothermal	land	and	rights

Earnings Before Net Interest Expense and Income Tax (EBIT)

Net	interest	expense

Income	tax	expense

Profit for the period

Underlying earnings after tax (3)

Underlying earnings per share (3)

Shareholders’ equity

Variance

12 months ended
30 June 2009
$ million

12 months ended
30 June 2008
$ million

$ million

%

2,222.2	

(1,776.9)

2,756.7	

(534.5)

(19%)

(2,189.5)

412.6	

19%	

445.3 

(162.0)

3.6	

(57.5)

–	

(2.8)

–	

226.6 

(62.6)

(46.5)

117.5 

160.6 

27.35 

567.2 

(121.9)

(21%)

(146.6)

(15.4)

(11%)

2.8	

(1.9)

0.8	

29%	

(55.6)

2,926%	

(33.7)

33.7	

(100%)

–	

(2.8)

–	

21.3	

(21.3)

(100%)

409.1 

(182.5)

(45%)

(69.9)

(102.1)

7.3	

55.6	

10%	

54%	

237.1 

(119.6)

(50%)

232.8 

(72.2)

(31%)

39.60 

(12.25)

(31%)

2,942.3 

2,904.1 

38.2 

1% 

1	 Includes	electricity	purchases.
2		 Earnings	before	net	interest	expense,	income	tax,	depreciation,	amortisation,	financial	instruments	and	other	significant	items.
3	 Underlying	earnings	after	tax	removes	significant	one-off	items	and	the	non	cash	change	in	fair	value	of	financial	instruments.	

Profit	for	the	period	ended	30	June	2009	was	$117.5	million.	This	was	negatively	affected	by	a	non-cash	post-tax	
movement	of	$40.3	million	in	the	fair	value	of	financial	derivatives.	With	the	introduction	of	International	
Financial	Reporting	Standards	(IFRS),	the	accounting	standards	require	that	certain	changes	in	the	fair	value	of	
financial	instruments	be	reflected	in	the	Income	Statement.	This	can	introduce	significant	volatility	to	the	earnings	
reported	for	the	year.	This	impact	is	primarily	driven	by	financial	instruments	Contact	utilises	in	order	to	hedge	
various	price	and	interest	rate	risks	to	which	it	is	exposed.	The	intention	of	hedging	is	to	reduce	these	risks	and	
deliver	a	higher	level	of	certainty	to	the	cash	flows	of	the	business.	While	Contact	utilises	valid	economic	risk	
management	instruments	to	hedge	these	risks,	these	instruments	must	also	meet	the	criteria	prescribed	under	
IFRS	in	order	to	qualify	for	hedge	accounting	where	fair	value	changes	are	carried	in	equity.	For	those	instruments	
which	do	not	qualify	for	hedge	accounting	the	change	in	fair	value	is	recognised	in	the	Income	Statement.

The	most	notable	instruments	in	Contact’s	portfolio	that	do	not	qualify	for	hedge	accounting	are	interest	rate	
swaps.	With	the	significant	drop	in	the	forward	yield	curve	over	the	first	six	months	of	the	financial	year,	the	fair	
value	of	the	interest	rate	book	has	correspondingly	decreased	and	will	fluctuate	with	movements	in	interest	rates.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  17

Variance

12 months ended
30 June 2009
$ million

12 months ended
30 June 2008
$ million

$ million

1,286.3	

1,244.4	

41.9	

%

3%	

(24.6)

(25%)

72.8	

82.2	

153.8	

15.8	

97.4	

84.1	

145.2	

11.9	

(1.9)

8.6	

3.9	

1,610.9 

1,583.0 

27.9 

(537.9)

(431.8)

(148.2)

(112.1)

(144.0)

(1,012.5)

474.6	

(442.1)

(159.4)

(105.2)

(142.0)

10.3	

11.2	

(6.9)

(2.0)

(1,374.0)

(1,861.2)

487.2 

(2%)

6%	

33%	

2% 

47%	

2%	

7%	

(7%)

(1%)

26% 

236.9 

(19.8)

217.1 

(65.79)

7,609	

11.1 

3.9	

77,228	

67,000	

53,700	

(278.2)

515.1 

185% 

(20.3)

0.5	

2%	

(298.5)

515.6 

173% 

(122.07)

7,800	

56.3	

(191)

17.0	

4.1	

(5.9)

(0.2)

84,334	

(7,106)

46%	

(2%)

(8%)

(35%)

(4%)

(8%)

75,000	

(8,000)

(11%)

50,800	

2,900	

6%	

479,000	

520,000	

(41,000)

Retail segment

Retail	electricity	revenue

Gas	revenue	wholesale

Gas	revenue	retail

LPG	revenue

Other	retail	revenue

Total retail revenue

Retail	electricity	purchases

Electricity	transmission,	distribution	and	levies

Gas	purchases	and	transmission

LPG	purchases

Labour	costs	and	other	operating	expenses

Total operating expenses

EBITDAF

Depreciation and amortisation

Segment result

Average	electricity	purchase	price	($	per	MWh)	(1)

Retail	electricity	sales	(GWh)

Electricity	customer	numbers

Gas	sales	wholesale	customers	(PJ)

Gas	sales	retail	customers	(PJ)

Gas	sales	LPG	customers	(tonnes)

Gas	customer	numbers

LPG	customer	numbers	(including	franchisees)	(2)

1		 This	price	excludes	contracts	for	differences.	
2		 	LPG	customer	numbers	have	been	restated	down	by	approximately	1,800	customers.	These	1,800	customers	are	closed	or	non-active	accounts	that	had	been	historically	

recorded as customers.

	
	
	
18 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact’s	retail	segment	EBITDAF	of	$236.9	million	was	$515.1	million	higher	than	the	negative	$278.2	million	
for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	This	is	predominantly	due	to	the	change	in	wholesale	conditions	which	
reduced	the	retail	electricity	purchase	cost	from	$1,012.5	million	to	$537.9	million,	a	47	per	cent	decrease.	

Retail purchase costs

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$
Z
N

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

122

1,013

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

h
W
M
/
$

66

538

June 2008

June 2009

Financial year ended

Spot purchases

Purchase price

Set	out	in	the	table	below	are	the	North	and	South	Island	average	retail	electricity	purchase	prices	by	quarter.	
These	prices	illustrate	the	stark	changes	in	hydrology	conditions	which	occurred	within	the	financial	year	as	well	 
as	the	differences	between	the	North	and	South	Islands.

Average electricity purchase price

12 months ended
30 June 2009
$/MWh

12 months ended
30 June 2008
$/MWh

Q1	North	Island	

Q2	North	Island

Q3	North	Island

Q4	North	Island

FY North Island

Q1	South	Island

Q2	South	Island	

Q3	South	Island

Q4	South	Island	

FY South Island

Q1	National	

Q2	National

Q3	National

Q4	National

FY National

102

47

46

70

68

149

38

25

25

63

124

43

37

49

66

57

45

124

228

113

60

43

114

305

133

59

45

119

265

122

Variance

$/MWh

45

2

%

79%

3%

(78)

(63%)

(158)

(69%)

(45)

(40%)

89

(5)

146%

(12%)

(89)

(78%)

(280)

(92%)

(70)

(53%)

	65

(2)

(82)

112%

(5%)

(69%)

(216)

(81%)

(56)

(46%)

 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  19

Total	retail	electricity	revenue	rose	three	per	cent	to	$1,286.3	million,	with	total	sales	of	7,609	gigawatt	hours	
(GWh)	compared	with	7,800	GWh	in	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	This	two	per	cent	drop	consists	of	 
a	two	per	cent	decrease	in	mass	market	volumes	and	three	per	cent	reduction	in	time	of	use	(large	commercial/
industrial	customers)	volumes.	The	time	of	use	reduction	is	largely	due	to	the	economic	conditions	that	have	
driven	a	per	customer	decrease	in	energy	consumption	in	the	second	half	of	the	2009	financial	year.

Set	out	below	is	a	summary	of	the	North	and	South	Island	electricity	purchase	volumes	for	the	financial	years	
ended	30	June	2008	and	2009.

North	Island	retail	electricity	purchases	(GWh)

South	Island	retail	electricity	purchases	(GWh)

Retail GWh purchased

North	Island	purchases	(GWh)	as	a	percentage	of	total	purchases

South	Island	purchases	(GWh)	as	a	percentage	of	total	purchases

12 months ended
30 June 2009

12 months ended
30 June 2008

4,354

3,755

8,109

54%

46%

4,447

3,857

8,304

54%

46%

Variance

GWh

(93)

	(102)	

 (195) 

%

(2%)

(3%)

(2%)

0%

0%

Retail	electricity	customers	reduced	to	480,000	compared	with	500,000	as	at	31	December	2008	and	520,000	
as	at	30	June	2008.	As	a	result	of	the	marketing	activities	which	Contact	has	undertaken	in	the	past	few	months,	
Contact	is	once	again	acquiring	customers	and,	together	with	LPG	gains,	the	customer	base	is	now	growing.

Wholesale and retail gas revenue 

100

97.4

17.0

84.1

4.1

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

M
$
Z
N

80

60

40

20

72.8

82.2

11.1

3.9

J
P

22

18

14

10

6

2

-2

June 2008

June 2009

Financial year ended

Wholesale gas revenue

Retail gas revenue

Wholesale gas volume

Retail gas volume

 
20 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact’s	gas	revenue	from	wholesale	customers	reduced	by	$24.6	million	to	$72.8	million	in	the	period	 
ended	30	June	2009.	This	was	largely	due	to	the	non	recurrence	of	short	term	sales	which	were	executed 
in	the	second	half	of	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008	resulting	in	a	decrease	in	sales	volume	of	6	PJ.

Retail	gas	revenue	was	slightly	lower	at	$82.2	million,	compared	with	$84.1	million	in	the	financial	year	ended	 
30	June	2008.	The	sales	volume	was	four	per	cent	lower	at	3.9	PJ	compared	with	4.1	PJ	in	the	financial	year	ended	
30	June	2008.	Gas	customer	numbers	have	decreased	to	67,000,	compared	with	70,000	as	at	31	December	2008	
and	75,000	as	at	30	June	2008.

The	average	cost	of	gas	(excluding	transmission)	increased	25	per	cent	from	$5.55	per	GJ	in	the	financial	year	
ended	30	June	2008	to	$6.94	per	GJ	in	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009.	This	increase	has	been	driven	by	 
a	change	in	the	underlying	mix	of	gas	used,	as	the	use	of	cheaper	Maui	367	legacy	gas	ceases	and	is	replaced	by	
more	expensive	gas,	and	the	impact	of	escalation	in	gas	prices	in	gas	contracts	within	Contact’s	portfolio.	During	
the	period,	the	PPI,	which	is	the	index	used	to	escalate	the	prices	under	most	gas	contracts,	increased	significantly	
more	than	Contact	expected.	The	average	gas	transmission	and	distribution	costs	for	retail	also	increased	by	six	
per	cent	from	$10.43	per	GJ	to	$11.13	per	GJ	for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009.

Revenue	from	LPG	sales	grew	by	six	per	cent	to	$153.8	million.	This	was	in	part	offset	by	an	increase	in	LPG	 
cost	of	goods	of	$7	million	or	seven	per	cent.	The	main	driver	of	this	cost	increase	is	the	underlying	purchase	 
cost	of	LPG	which	increased	by	16	per	cent	from	$1,248	per	tonne	to	$1,451	per	tonne	in	the	financial	year	 
ended	30	June	2009.	This	was	largely	due	to	the	imported	cost	of	LPG	which	tends	to	move	with	oil	prices.	 
LPG	volume	decreased	by	eight	per	cent	to	77,228	tonnes,	reflecting	a	drop	in	the	overall	market	for	LPG	as	
increasing	costs	result	in	fuel	switching	by	some	customers.	Contact’s	market	share	remains	consistent	at	
approximately	50	per	cent.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  21

Generation segment

Wholesale	electricity	revenue

Steam	revenue

Other	wholesale	revenue

Total wholesale revenue

Wholesale	electricity	purchase	contracts	for	differences

Electricity	transmission,	distribution	and	levies

Gas	purchases	and	transmission

Labour	costs	and	other	operating	expenses

Total operating expenses

EBITDAF

Depreciation

Segment result

Average	wholesale	electricity	price	($	per	MWh)	(1)

Gas	used	in	internal	generation	(PJ)

Thermal	generation	(GWh)

Geothermal	generation	(GWh)

Hydro	generation	(GWh)

Total generation (GWh)

12 months ended
30 June 2009
$ million

12 months ended
30 June 2008
$ million

$ million

%

Variance

594.3	

12.9	

4.1	

611.3 

(6.3)

(47.3)

(251.3)

(98.0)

(402.9)

208.4 

(142.2)

66.2 

56.08	

33.4	

4,094	

2,311	

3,543	

9,948 

1,148.0	

(553.7)

(48%)

11.0	

14.7	

1.9	

17%	

(10.6)

(72%)

1,173.7 

(562.4)

(48%)

57.6	

(63.9)

111%	

(44.7)

(253.0)

(2.6)

1.7	

(6%)

1%	

(88.2)

(9.8)

(11%)

(328.3)

(74.6)

(23%)

845.4 

(637.0)

(75%)

(126.3)

(15.9)

(13%)

719.1 

(652.9)

(91%)

106.90

(50.8)

(48%)

42.0	

(8.6)

(20%)

5,351	

(1,257)

(23%)

2,180	

3,504	

131	

39	

6%	

1%	

11,035 

(1,087)

(10%)

1	 This	is	the	price	received	by	Contact	for	its	generation.	It	excludes	contracts	for	differences.

As	discussed	earlier,	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009	saw	hydrology	extremes	which,	together	with	the	 
loss	of	pole	one	of	the	HVDC	and	a	loss	of	approximately	180	MW	of	demand	at	the	Tiwai	Point	aluminium	smelter	
in	Southland,	resulted	in	unprecedented	volatility	in	the	wholesale	electricity	market.	This	led	to	the	EBITDAF	
contribution	of	the	generation	segment	decreasing	by	75	per	cent	to	$208.4	million,	a	$637.0	million	decrease	
from	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.

The	average	wholesale	electricity	price	for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009	was	$56	per	MWh,	a	48	per	cent	
decrease	over	the	average	wholesale	price	for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008	of	$107	per	MWh.	Within	the	
period	the	prices	were	extremely	volatile	as	illustrated	in	the	following	table.

 
22 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Average wholesale electricty price

12 months ended
30 June 2009
$/MWh

12 months ended
30 June 2008
$/MWh

Q1	North	Island

Q2	North	Island

Q3	North	Island

Q4	North	Island

FY North Island

Q1	South	Island

Q2	South	Island

Q3	South	Island

Q4	South	Island	

FY South Island

Q1	National

Q2	National

Q3	National	

Q4	National

FY National

96

43

41

60

64

117

34

20

21

43

101

39

33

45

56

Variance

$/MWh

42

	(1)

%

78%

(2%)

54

44

												110

	(69)

(63%)

212

107

56

40

102

279

107

55

42

107

229

107

	(152)

(72%)

 (43)

(40%)

61

	(6)

107%

(16%)

	(82)

(80%)

	(258)

(93%)

 (64)

(60%)

	46	

	(3)

85%

(8%)

	(74)

(69%)

	(184)

(80%)

 (51)

(48%)

During	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009,	Contact	was,	on	average,	hedged	about	90	per	cent,	compared	with	
84	per	cent	for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	In	respect	of	the	South	Island	Contact	was	about	111	per	
cent	hedged	compared	with	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008	where	Contact	was	116	per	cent	hedged	in	the	
South	Island.	This	reflects	the	change	in	hydro	conditions	after	September	2008.	Conversely	in	the	North	Island	
Contact	was	about	79	per	cent	hedged	–	this	is	higher	than	the	North	Island	hedge	level	of	71	per	cent	in	the	prior	
financial	year	due	to	the	significant	reduction	in	thermal	generation	in	the	2009	financial	year.

Contact’s	thermal	generation	for	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009	was	4,094	GWh,	1,257	GWh	lower	than	
the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	This	was	largely	due	to	a	scheduled	six	week	outage	at	Contact’s	Otahuhu	B	
gas-fired	power	station	and	additional	outages	of	both	TCC	and	Otahuhu	B	during	the	second	half	of	the	financial	
year	when	wholesale	prices	enabled	Contact	to	take	the	plants	out	of	service	at	certain	times	to	undertake	
preventative	maintenance.	This	activity	contributed	about	$5	million	in	additional	operating	costs	for	the	financial	
year	ended	30	June	2009.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  23

Generation by type

12,000

10,000

s
h
W
G

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

3,504

5,351

2,180

3,543

4,094

2,311

June 2008

June 2009

Financial year ended

Geothermal generation

Thermal generation

Hydro generation

Contact’s	geothermal	generation	increased	six	per	cent	or	131	GWh	in	the	period	ended	30	June	2009	to	 
2,311	GWh	as	a	result	of	Contact’s	geothermal	drilling	and	development	programme.	

Contact’s	hydro	generation	at	3,543	GWh	was	39	GWh	more	than	in	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	
Despite	the	increase	over	the	prior	financial	year,	hydro	generation	was	well	below	what	might	be	expected	 
given	the	hydro	conditions.	This	was	due	to	the	fact	that	Contact	was	forced	to	spill	in	excess	of	400	GWh	 
due to transmission constraints. 

Contact	used	33.4	PJ	of	gas	in	generation	in	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009,	an	8.6	PJ	reduction	from	 
the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	Despite	this,	the	total	gas	cost	including	transmission	was	relatively	 
flat	at	$251	million,	compared	with	$253	million	in	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2008.	Accordingly	the	
average	cost	of	gas	used	in	generation	increased	from	$6.03	per	GJ	to	$7.55	per	GJ,	a	25	per	cent	increase.	

Gas purchases for generation

)
J
P
(
e
m
u
l
o
V

50

40

30

20

10

$6.03

42.0

$7.55

33.4

June 2008

June 2009

Financial year ended

Gas purchased for generation (PJ)

Average cost per GJ for generation (including transmission)

J

G
/
$

10

8

6

4

2

 
24 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Company overview 

Contact Energy is one of New Zealand’s leading publicly listed 
companies, with around 83,000 shareholders, a national staff  
of about 1,000 and the ability to supply electricity and gas  
products across New Zealand.

Retail
Contact	Energy	has	approximately:

•		 479,000	retail	electricity	customers

•	 67,000	reticulated	natural	gas	customers,	and	

•	 54,000	LPG	customers.

Generation
•		 Contact	owns	and	operates	nine	power	stations	across	the	North	and	South	Islands.

•		

•		

•		

	In	the	2009	financial	year,	these	power	stations	provided	around	25	per	cent	of	New	Zealand’s	total	electricity	
annual	generation.

	Contact	is	also	contracted	to	operate	the	Crown-owned	reserve	generation	plant	at	Whirinaki	in	Hawke’s	Bay	
and	holds	a	minority	interest	in	the	Oakey	power	station	in	Australia.

	Contact	is	currently	constructing	a	200	megawatt	gas-fired	peaking	power	station	and	the	country’s	first	
underground	natural	gas	storage	facility	near	Stratford,	as	well	as	a	23	megawatt	geothermal	power	station	 
at	Taupo.	

•		

	Contact	is	also	advancing	development	options	in	geothermal,	wind	and	hydro	generation	projects.

Otahuhu B – combined-cycle gas turbine, 400 megawatts
Commissioned	in	1999,	the	Otahuhu	B	power	station	is	a	high-efficiency	combined-cycle	gas-fired	power	station.	
Located	in	South	Auckland,	Otahuhu	B	provides	electricity	directly	into	the	country’s	largest	load	centre.

Otahuhu A
Commissioned	in	1968,	this	gas-fired	power	station	provides	reactive	power,	which	supports	the	stable	operation	
of	the	electricity	transmission	system.

Te Rapa – cogeneration, 44 megawatts
Commissioned	in	1999,	the	Te	Rapa	cogeneration	plant	is	efficient,	using	natural	gas	to	generate	steam	and	
electricity	for	Fonterra’s	Te	Rapa	factory,	with	surplus	electricity	being	exported	into	the	electricity	network.

Ohaaki – geothermal, 105 megawatts
Commissioned	in	1989,	the	Ohaaki	geothermal	power	station	is	currently	producing	around	65	megawatts	 
of	electricity.

Wairakei – geothermal, 157 megawatts plus 15 megawatt binary plant
Commissioned	in	1958,	the	Wairakei	geothermal	power	station	marked	its	50th	anniversary	in	the	2009	 
financial	year.

Poihipi Road – geothermal, 50 megawatts
Purchased	by	Contact	in	2000,	the	Poihipi	Road	power	station	draws	its	steam	from	the	Wairakei	steamfield.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  25

Taranaki – combined-cycle gas turbine, 377 megawatts
Commissioned	in	1998	and	upgraded	during	2008,	the	Taranaki	combined-cycle	power	station	is	a	modern,	
efficient	plant.

Clyde – hydro, 432 megawatts
Commissioned	in	1992,	the	Clyde	dam	on	the	Clutha	River	in	Central	Otago	is	the	largest	concrete	gravity	dam	 
in	New	Zealand,	generating	electricity	from	four	large	generator	turbines.

Roxburgh – hydro, 320 megawatts
Commissioned	in	1956,	the	Roxburgh	dam	was	the	first	large-scale	hydro	dam	on	the	Clutha	River.

Oakey – distillate/gas-fired peaking station, 282 megawatts
Commissioned	in	February	2000,	Contact	owns	25	per	cent	of	this	peaking	power	station,	based	in	Queensland,	
Australia.	Contact	is	also	the	operator	of	this	station.

Whirinaki – distillate-fired peaking station, 155 megawatts 
Contact	operates	the	Whirinaki	peaking	station	on	behalf	of	the	Crown.	Contact	owns	the	land	upon	which	the	
power	station	is	located	in	Hawke’s	Bay.

New Plymouth
Over	the	2009	financial	year	the	New	Plymouth	gas-fired	power	station	was	decommissioned,	following	the	
discovery	of	asbestos	at	the	plant.	While	the	plant	is	decommissioned,	the	site	remains	of	value	to	Contact	 
as	a	potential	location	for	a	future	gas-fired	power	station.

26 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

National 
overview

Contact	is	one	of	New	Zealand’s	largest	publicly	 
listed	companies,	with	the	ability	to	supply	 
electricity	and	gas	products	across	the	country.	 
We	have	reticulated	natural	gas	customers	across	
much	of	the	North	Island,	reticulated	LPG	customers	
in	Christchurch,	Queenstown	and	Wanaka,	and	we	
can	supply	bottled	and	automotive	LPG	nationwide.

 
 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  27

Governance 

Contact Energy Limited is a limited liability company registered 
under the New Zealand Companies Act 1993. 

Contact’s	company	registration	number	is	660760.	The	company	is	listed	on,	and	its	shares	are	quoted	on,	 
the	New	Zealand	Stock	Market	(NZSX)	and	has	retail	bonds	listed	on	the	New	Zealand	Debt	Market	(NZDX).	 
The	company’s	listing	is	under	the	trading	code	‘CEN’.	

Contact’s constitution	is	available	on	the	company’s	website.

Distribution Policy
Contact’s	Distribution	Policy	is	to	maintain	or	grow	distributions	on	a	year-to-year	basis	while	targeting	an	
average	distribution	equivalent	to	approximately	80	per	cent	of	net	surplus	over	time.

Ethics
Contact’s	Code	of	Ethics	sets	out	the	ethical	and	behavioural	standards	expected	of	the	company’s	directors,	
officers,	employees	and	contractors.	

Contact	has	established	internal	procedures	to	monitor	compliance	with	the	Code	of	Ethics.	Every	six	months,	 
a	report	is	provided	to	the	Board	Audit	Committee	highlighting	any	matters	raised	by	staff	under	the	Code	of	
Ethics.	In	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009,	there	were	no	issues	to	report	in	relation	to	the	Code	of	Ethics.	

A	copy	of	the	Code of Ethics	is	available	on	the	company’s	website.

Health, safety and environment 
Health,	safety	and	environment	(HSE)	is	a	key	priority	at	Contact	and	is	an	integral	factor	in	assessing	
management’s	achievement	of	annual	goals,	which	are	measured	against	key	performance	indicators.	 
Contact’s	Health and Safety Policy and Environmental Policy are	available	on	the	company’s	website.	

For	further	information	on	Contact’s	HSE	performance,	see	the	2009 Sustainability Report,	available	on	
the	company’s	website.	

Whistleblowing Policy
Contact’s	Whistleblowing Policy,	available	on	the	company’s	website,	facilitates	the	disclosure	and	impartial	
investigation	of	any	serious	wrongdoing.	This	policy	advises	employees	of	their	right	to	disclose	serious	
wrongdoing	and	sets	out	Contact’s	internal	procedures	for	receiving	and	dealing	with	such	disclosures.	The	 
policy	is	consistent	with	and	facilitates	the	Protected	Disclosures	Act	2000.

Role of the Board of Directors
The	Board	is	responsible	for	setting	the	strategic	direction	of	Contact,	with	its	ultimate	goal	being	to	protect	and	
enhance	the	value	of	Contact’s	assets	and	business	in	the	interests	of	the	company	and	for	all	of	its	shareholders.	
The	Board’s	role	includes	approving	the	budget	and	strategic	plan;	approving	major	investments;	monitoring	
financial	performance	of	the	company,	including	approval	of	half	year	and	annual	financial	statements;	appointing	
and	reviewing	the	performance	of	the	Managing	Director;	and	ensuring	the	integrity	of	corporate	governance.	

The	Board	has	delegated	certain	of	its	powers	to	sub-committees	of	the	Board,	and	the	day-to-day	 
management	of	the	company	to	the	Managing	Director.	The	ambit	of	these	delegations	is	documented	in	the	
Board Committee charters,	the	company’s	Delegated	Authorities	Policy,	and	by	relevant	minuted	resolutions	
of	the	Board.	

 
 
28 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

The	Board	has	a	statutory	obligation	to	reserve	to	itself	responsibility	for	certain	matters,	such	as	the	payments	 
of	distributions	and	the	issue	of	shares.	It	also	reserves	responsibility	for	significant	matters,	including	those	
described	above,	such	as	the	approval	of	business	plans	and	budgets	and	the	incurring	of	significant	obligations.	 
In	addition,	under	the	Companies	Act	1993	and	the	NZSX	Listing	Rules,	Contact	is	required	to	seek	the	approval	 
of	its	shareholders	prior	to	entering	into	certain	types	of	transactions.

The	Board’s	role,	responsibilities,	operation,	delegations	and	committees	are	set	out	in	Contact’s	Board Charter,	
which	is	available	on	the	company’s	website.

Operation of the Board
The	Board	meets	regularly	on	a	formal	scheduled	basis	and	otherwise	as	required.	The	Chairman	and	the	Managing	
Director	establish	the	agenda	for	each	Board	meeting.	Each	month,	as	a	standing	item,	the	Managing	Director	
prepares	a	report	to	the	Board	that	includes	disclosure	of	performance	against	key	HSE	benchmarks	and	a	summary	
of	the	company’s	operations,	together	with	financial	and	other	reports.	In	addition,	the	Board	receives	regular	
briefings	on	key	strategic	issues	from	management,	either	as	part	of	the	regularly	scheduled	Board	meetings	or	in	
separate dedicated sessions. 

New	directors	appointed	to	the	Contact	Board	receive	induction	training.	This	training	primarily	involves	written	
and	oral	presentations	by	the	Managing	Director	and	senior	management	team	on	the	key	strategic	and	operational	
business	issues	facing	Contact.	

Compliance with NZX Best Practice Code and other guidelines
Contact	complies	fully	with	the	corporate	governance	principles	set	out	in	the	NZX	Corporate Governance Best 
Practice Code. 

Contact	also	complies	with	all	of	the	principles	in	the	Securities	Commission’s	Corporate Governance in New Zealand 
Principles and Guidelines. 

One	of	the	Securities	Commission’s	corporate	governance	principles	is	that	there	should	be	a	balance	of	
independence,	skills,	knowledge,	experience	and	perspectives	among	a	Board’s	directors	so	that	the	Board	 
works	effectively.	Contact	considers	that	it	complies	with	this	principle	for	a	number	of	reasons,	including	because:

•		

•		

•		

•		

the	members	of	its	Board	hold	substantial	and	diverse	business	and	energy-industry	experience

the	Board	comprises	a	balance	of	independent	directors	and	Origin	Energy-associated	directors

the	Chairman	does	not	hold	a	casting	vote

the	Board	regularly	assesses	its	performance	to	ensure	that	constructive	working	relationships	are	maintained.

The	Securities	Commission	includes	as	a	guideline	relating	to	this	principle	that	the	Chairman	should	be	an	
independent	director.	Contact	departs	from	this	guideline	because	its	Chairman,	Grant	King,	is	not	an	independent	
director.	Despite	this	departure,	for	the	reasons	set	out	above,	Contact	is	satisfied	that	it	complies	with	the	
Commission’s	principle.

A table summarising	Contact’s	compliance	with	the	NZX	Corporate Governance Best Practice Code	and	the	Securities	
Commission’s	Corporate Governance in New Zealand Principles and Guidelines	is	available	on	the	company’s	website.	

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  29

Board composition 
The	composition	of	the	Board	has	changed	during	the	financial	year.	On	16	March	2009,	David	Baldwin	and	 
Sue	Sheldon	were	appointed	to	the	Contact	Board,	and	effective	from	30	June	2009,	Tim	Saunders	retired	 
from	the	Contact	Board.	

Accordingly,	from	30	June	2009,	the	Board	comprises	seven	members	as	follows:

Grant	King

Phillip	Pryke

David	Baldwin

Bruce Beeren 

John	Milne	

Karen	Moses

Sue	Sheldon

Chairman	and	Origin	Energy	associate

Deputy	Chairman	and	Independent	Director

Managing	Director	and	Origin	Energy	associate

Origin	Energy	associate

Independent	Director

Origin	Energy	associate

Independent	Director

Biographies	of	the	current	directors	are	set	out	on	the	company’s	website.

Independence of directors
The	NZSX	Listing	Rules	and	Contact’s	constitution	require	Contact	to	have	a	minimum	of	two	independent	
directors.	In	order	to	be	an	independent	director,	a	director	must	not	be	an	executive	officer	of	the	company,	 
or	have	a	‘Disqualifying	Relationship’.	Having	a	‘Disqualifying	Relationship’	includes	(but	is	not	limited	to):

•		

•		

	being	an	associated	person	of	a	substantial	security	holder	of	the	company	(in	Contact’s	case,	the	Origin	
Energy	group	of	companies),	other	than	solely	as	a	consequence	of	being	a	director	of	Contact,	or

	having	a	relationship	(other	than	the	directorship	itself)	with	the	company	or	a	substantial	security	holder	of	
the	company	by	virtue	of	which	the	director	is	likely	to	derive,	in	the	current	financial	year	of	the	company,	a	
substantial	portion	of	his	or	her	annual	revenue	from	the	company	(excluding	dividends	and	other	distributions	
payable	to	all	shareholders).

The	Board	has	confirmed	that,	at	the	end	of	the	financial	year,	Phillip	Pryke,	John	Milne	and	Sue	Sheldon	each	 
held	(and	still	hold)	no	‘Disqualifying	Relationship’	in	relation	to	Contact	and	are	therefore	each	independent	
directors.	The	Board	also	confirmed	that	until	his	retirement	on	30	June	2009,	Tim	Saunders	held	no	‘Disqualifying	
Relationship’	in	relation	to	Contact	and	was	therefore	an	independent	director.

This	is	because	none	of	these	directors	fall	within	the	definition	of	‘Disqualifying	Relationship’	and,	in	particular,	
none	of	these	directors	is	an	associated	person	of	a	substantial	security	holder	of	the	company,	nor	has	any	
relationship	with	the	company	or	a	substantial	security	holder	of	the	company	by	virtue	of	which	they	derive	any	
revenue	from	the	company,	other	than	their	respective	Contact	directorships	and	shareholdings.

Grant	King,	Bruce	Beeren	and	Karen	Moses	are	not	considered	to	be	independent	directors	by	virtue	of	being	
associated	persons	of	substantial	security	holder	Origin	Energy	New	Zealand	Limited.	David	Baldwin	is	not	
considered	to	be	an	independent	director	because	he	is	an	executive	of	Contact	and	is	also	an	associated	person	 
of	substantial	security	holder	Origin	Energy	New	Zealand	Limited.	Grant	King,	Bruce	Beeren,	Karen	Moses	and	
David	Baldwin	were	therefore	not	independent	directors	as	at	30	June	2009.

Residence of directors
The	NZSX	Listing	Rules	and	Contact’s	constitution	require	at	least	two	directors	to	be	ordinarily	resident	in	 
New	Zealand.	David	Baldwin,	John	Milne	and	Sue	Sheldon	satisfy	this	requirement	(as	did	Tim	Saunders	up	 
until	his	retirement	on	30	June	2009).	

30 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Election and re-election of directors
The	NZSX	Listing	Rules	and	Contact’s	constitution	require	that	directors	who	have	been	appointed	to	fill	a	casual	
vacancy	during	a	financial	year	must	stand	for	election	at	the	next	Annual	Meeting.	Accordingly,	David	Baldwin	and	
Sue	Sheldon	will	stand	for	election	at	the	2009	Annual	Meeting.

The	NZSX	Listing	Rules	and	Contact’s	constitution	also	require	a	minimum	of	one-third	of	directors	(other	than	 
one	executive	director	and	any	directors	appointed	to	fill	a	casual	vacancy)	to	retire	at	each	Annual	Meeting	and,	 
if	appropriate,	stand	for	re-election.	The	directors	required	to	resign	are	those	who	have	been	in	office	longest	
since	their	last	election.	Accordingly,	Grant	King	and	Bruce	Beeren	will	retire	and	stand	for	re-election	at	the	2009	
Annual	Meeting.	(Karen	Moses	and	Tim	Saunders	retired	and	were	re-elected	at	the	October	2007	Annual	Meeting,	
and	Phillip	Pryke	and	John	Milne	retired	and	were	re-elected	at	the	October	2008	Annual	Meeting.)	

Conflicts of interest
Where	any	Contact	director	has	a	conflict	of	interest	or	is	otherwise	interested	in	any	transaction,	that	director	is	
generally	required	to	disclose	his	or	her	conflict	of	interest	to	the	company,	and	thereafter	will	normally	not	be	able	
to	participate	in	the	discussion,	nor	vote	in	relation	to	the	relevant	matter.	The	company	maintains	a	register	of	
disclosed	interests.	

Board assessment
Contact’s	Board	follows	a	practice	of	reviewing	the	performance	of	the	Board	as	a	whole	and	the	Board	committees	
every	two	years,	and	of	reviewing	the	performance	of	those	directors	standing	for	re-election	or	standing	for	
election	at	the	next	Annual	Meeting	every	year.	In	accordance	with	this	practice,	in	July	2009:

•		 Contact	undertook	a	formal	assessment	of	the	Board	and	the	Board	committees,	and

•		

	the	Board	reviewed	the	performance	of	Grant	King,	Bruce	Beeren,	David	Baldwin	and	Sue	Sheldon,	being	 
those	directors	required	to	retire	and	stand	for	re-election,	or	stand	for	election,	at	the	2009	Annual	Meeting.

Board committees
The	Board	has	four	formally	constituted	committees	–	the	Board	Audit	Committee,	the	Health,	Safety	and	
Environment	Committee,	the	Nominations	Committee	and	the	Remuneration	Committee.	Copies	of	the	charters 
for	these	committees	are	available	on	the	company’s	website.	

Other	committees	of	the	Board	are	formed	as	and	when	required.	For	example,	an	Independent	Directors’	
Committee	comprising	Phillip	Pryke	(Chair),	John	Milne,	Tim	Saunders	(until	30	June	2009)	and	Sue	Sheldon	 
(from	19	March	2009)	meets	to	evaluate	and	approve	various	related	party	transactions	with	Origin	Energy,	
which,	in	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009,	included	gas	processing	arrangements,	LPG	prices	and	the	 
related	party	transactions	process.	

In	addition,	Contact	formed	a	Due	Diligence	Committee	to	oversee	the	due	diligence	process	for	the	March	2009	
retail	bond	issue.	John	Milne	(Chair)	and	Bruce	Beeren	were	members	of	the	Due	Diligence	Committee.

Board Audit Committee 
At	the	end	of	the	financial	year,	the	Board	Audit	Committee	(BAC)	comprised	John	Milne	(Chair),	Bruce	Beeren,	 
Tim	Saunders	(until	30	June	2009)	and	Sue	Sheldon	(from	16	March	2009).	John	Milne	is	a	qualified	Chartered	
Accountant,	Sue	Sheldon	is	a	Fellow	Chartered	Accountant	and	Bruce	Beeren	is	a	fellow	of	CPA	Australia.	All	
members	of	the	committee	are	non-executive	directors.

The	BAC’s	purpose	is	to	oversee	Contact’s	financial	policies	and	to	monitor	the	quality	of	financial	reporting	and	
financial	management.	The	BAC	is	responsible	for	approving	the	annual	internal	audit	work	programme,	monitoring	
the	roles,	responsibilities	and	performance	of	external	and	internal	audit,	and	making	recommendations	to	the	
Board	on	matters	such	as	new	accounting	policies	and	adopting	the	financial	statements	for	public	release.	The	
Board Audit Committee Charter	is	set	out	on	the	company’s	website.	

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  31

The	Managing	Director	attends	each	quarterly	BAC	meeting	at	the	invitation	of	the	BAC.	At	the	conclusion	 
of	each	meeting	and	at	any	other	time	the	BAC	requires,	the	BAC	meets	separately	with	the	head	of	internal	 
audit,	Contact’s	external	auditors	and	the	Chief	Financial	Officer	without	any	other	members	of	management	 
being	present.	

Health, Safety and Environment Committee
At	the	end	of	the	financial	year,	the	Health,	Safety	and	Environment	(HSE)	Committee	comprised	Karen	Moses	
(Chair),	Phillip	Pryke,	John	Milne	and	Tim	Saunders	(until	30	June	2009).	Prior	to	31	December	2008,	the	HSE	
Committee	comprised	all	members	of	the	Board.

The	HSE	Committee	meets	at	least	three	times	per	year,	and	its	role	is	to	assist	the	Board	to	fulfil	its	
responsibilities	in	relation	to	HSE-related	matters	arising	out	of	the	activities	of	Contact	and	its	related	
companies.	These	matters	relate	to	those	activities	that	affect	employees,	contractors,	communities	and	 
the	environment	in	which	the	company	operates.	The	HSE	Committee	is	responsible	for,	among	other	matters,	
periodically	reviewing	the	company’s	Health and Safety Policy and Environmental Policy,	monitoring	the	
company’s	compliance	with	those	policies,	reviewing	and	recommending	to	the	Board	targets	for	HSE	
performance	and	assessing	performance	against	those	targets,	and	reviewing	HSE-related	incidents	and	
considering	appropriate	actions	to	minimise	the	risk	of	recurrence.	The	HSE Committee Charter is set out 
on	the	company’s	website.	

Nominations Committee
At	the	end	of	the	financial	year,	the	Nominations	Committee	comprised	Grant	King	(Chair),	Phillip	Pryke,	 
Tim	Saunders	(until	30	June	2009)	and	Sue	Sheldon	(from	19	March	2009).	The	Nominations	Committee’s	 
primary	purpose	is	to	ensure	that	the	Board	is	comprised	of	individuals	who	are	best	able	to	discharge	the	
responsibilities	of	Directors,	and	it	also	attends	to	other	matters	put	to	it,	including	director	performance	
assessment	and	Managing	Director	appointment.	

In	the	2009	financial	year,	the	Nominations	Committee	considered	the	assessment	of	Phillip	Pryke	and	John	
Milne’s	performance	as	directors	ahead	of	their	standing	for	re-election	at	the	October	2008	Annual	Meeting	 
and	considered	Board	composition	issues	(including	processes	for	the	appointment	of	Sue	Sheldon	as	a	director	
and	David	Baldwin	as	Managing	Director).	In	July	2009,	the	Nominations	Committee	considered	the	assessment	 
of	Grant	King,	Bruce	Beeren,	David	Baldwin	and	Sue	Sheldon’s	performance	as	directors	ahead	of	their	standing	
for	election/re-election	at	the	October	2009	Annual	Meeting.	The	Nominations Committee Charter is set out on 
the	company’s	website.

Remuneration Committee
At	the	end	of	the	financial	year,	the	Remuneration	Committee	comprised	Phillip	Pryke	(Chair),	Grant	King,	 
Tim	Saunders	(until	30	June	2009)	and	Bruce	Beeren	(from	19	March	2009).	The	Remuneration	Committee’s	
primary	purposes	are	to	review	directors’	fees,	the	Managing	Director’s	remuneration	package	and	performance,	
and	the	policy	for	remuneration	of	senior	management,	with	a	view	to	ensuring	that	the	interests	of	employees	
and	shareholders	are	aligned.	These	reviews	form	the	basis	of	recommendations	to	the	Board.	

The	Remuneration	Committee	met	twice	during	the	financial	year	and	has	met	a	further	time	since	the	end	of	 
the	financial	year	to	assess	and	make	recommendations	to	the	Board	about	a	variety	of	remuneration	issues	that	
relate	to	directors,	the	Managing	Director	and	Contact	employees,	including	the	level	of	directors’	fees,	employee	
short	term	incentives	and	the	long	term	incentive	scheme	for	senior	and	key	employees.	Details	of	director	and	
executive	remuneration	arrangements	are	set	out	in	the	remuneration	report	section	of	this	Annual	Report.	The	
Remuneration Committee Charter	is	set	out	on	the	company’s	website.

32 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Attendance at meetings
During	the	financial	year	ending	30	June	2009,	the	Board	met	13	times.	The	table	below	sets	out	attendance	at	
meetings	for	all	directors. 

Committee attendance

Director

Grant	King

Phillip	Pryke

David	Baldwin

Bruce Beeren

John	Milne

Karen	Moses

Sue	Sheldon

Tim	Saunders

Board attendance 
(scheduled and 
special purpose)

13

13

13

13

13

13

4

13

BAC

N/A

N/A

4

4

4

N/A

1

4

HSE

Remuneration

Nominations

Independent 
Directors

Due Diligence

1

3

3

1

3

3

N/A

2

2

2

2

1

N/A

N/A

N/A

1

1

1

1

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

1

N/A

3

3

N/A

3

N/A

N/A

3

N/A

N/A

4

4

4

N/A

N/A

N/A

Note:		David	Baldwin	and	Sue	Sheldon	were	appointed	to	the	Board	on	16	March	2009.	In	respect	of	David	Baldwin,	the	above	table	includes	attendances	as	an	observer	on	

all	committees,	and	as	an	observer	on	the	Board	prior	to	16	March	2009.	

Distribution plans

Profit distribution plan
Contact	implemented	a	profit	distribution	plan	in	February	2009,	which	took	effect	from	the	2009	interim	
distribution	in	March	2009.

Under	the	profit	distribution	plan,	instead	of	distributing	profits	in	the	form	of	fully	imputed	dividends	in	cash,	 
all	shareholders	receive	distributions	in	the	form	of	Contact	shares	(as	a	non-taxable	bonus	issue),	but	have	the	
opportunity	to	have	those	shares,	or	a	portion	of	them,	bought	back	by	Contact	for	cash	as	a	fully	imputed	taxable	
dividend.	This	means	that	shareholders	have	the	choice	between	retaining	bonus	shares	and	receiving	cash,	or	a	
combination	of	both.

More	detail	about	the	profit distribution plan,	including	a	full	description	of	its	terms	and	conditions,	is	available	
on	Contact’s	website.

Share top up plan 
Contact	operated	a	share	top	up	plan	until	February	2009,	when	it	was	terminated	following	the	implementation	 
of	the	profit	distribution	plan.	The	share	top	up	plan	provided	shareholders	holding	5,000	or	fewer	shares	who	
were	resident	in	New	Zealand	or	Australia	and	who	were	not	directors	or	associated	persons	of	directors	of	Contact	
with	the	opportunity	to	acquire	additional	shares	funded	by	their	regular	dividend	payments.	

During	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009,	Contact	provided	financial	assistance	in	connection	with	the	
ongoing	costs	associated	with	the	share	top	up	plan	until	it	was	terminated.	The	disclosure document which 
was	sent	to	shareholders	in	September	2009	sets	out	the	details	of	the	financial	assistance	provided	in	connection	 
with	the	plan	and	is	available	on	the	company’s	website.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  33

Current NZX waivers 
A	summary	of	all	waivers	granted	and	published	by	NZX	within	or	relied	on	by	Contact	in	the	12	month	period	
preceding	22	July	2009	(being	two	months	before	the	date	of	publication	of	this	Annual	Report)	is	available	on	
Contact’s	website.	This	summary	will	remain	on	Contact’s	website	for	at	least	12	months	following	publication	 
of	this	Annual	Report.	

Exercise of NZX disciplinary powers
NZX	did	not	exercise	any	of	its	powers	under	Listing	Rule	5.4.2	in	relation	to	Contact	during	the	financial	year.

Financial reporting 
Contact	undertakes	twice-yearly	financial	reporting	and	also	provides	a	suite	of	operational data on a 
regular	basis.

Contact’s	Annual and Half Year Reports	are	posted	on	Contact’s	website.	The	annual	financial	statements	are	
audited	and	this	year	the	31	December	2008	half	year	financial	statements	were	also	audited.	In	accordance	 
with	the	Companies	Act	1993,	Contact	does	not	automatically	mail	printed	copies	of	the	Annual	and	Half	Year	
Reports	to	shareholders.	A	notice	will	be	posted	to	shareholders	when	the	Annual	Report	is	available	each	year,	
and	shareholders	can	request,	free	of	charge,	a	hard	copy	of	the	Annual	Report	or	the	next	Half	Year	Report	and	
subsequent	reports	within	15	working	days	of	receiving	that	notice.

The	Managing	Director	and	Acting	Chief	Financial	Officer	have	provided	the	Board	with	written	confirmation	 
that	the	company’s	financial	statements	for	the	year	ended	30	June	2009	have	been	prepared	in	accordance	 
with	New	Zealand	Generally	Accepted	Accounting	Practice	and	that	they	comply	with	New	Zealand	Equivalents	 
to	International	Financial	Reporting	Standards	and	other	appropriate	financial	reporting	standards,	as	appropriate	
for	profit-oriented	entities.	

Auditor independence
The	Board	Audit	Committee	(BAC)	is	responsible	for	considering	and	making	recommendations	to	the	Board	
regarding	any	issues	relating	to	the	appointment,	dismissal	or	resignation	of	the	external	auditor.

The	BAC Charter	prohibits	the	external	auditor	from	consulting	to	Contact	on	matters	that	could	be	regarded	as	
compromising	audit	independence.	

The	BAC	requires	the	external	auditor	to	confirm	annually	that	it	has	complied	with	all	professional	regulations	
relating	to	auditor	independence.	Specifically,	the	external	auditor	is	required	to	confirm	its	commitment	to	strict	
procedures	to	ensure	that:

•		

•		

the	external	auditor,	its	partners	and	current	audit	team	do	not	have	any	financial	interest	in	Contact

	the	superannuation	fund	of	the	partners	or	staff	of	the	external	auditor	does	not	hold	any	direct	financial	
interest in Contact

•		

there	are	no	business	interests	between	Contact	and	the	external	auditor

•		 no	fee	paid	by	Contact	to	the	external	auditor	is	paid	on	a	contingency	basis.

In	addition,	the	senior	external	audit	partner	and	peer	review	partner	must	rotate	after	a	maximum	of	five	years,	
with	suitable	succession	planning	in	place.

The	BAC	is	responsible	for	determining	whether	potential	engagements	of	the	external	auditor	are	appropriate,	
documenting	decisions	and	recommending	to	the	Board	accordingly.

The	Chief	Financial	Officer	is	responsible	for	the	day-to-day	relationship	with	the	external	auditor,	while	individual	
business	units	have	a	direct	responsibility	for	their	relationship	with	the	external	or	internal	auditor,	ensuring	
provision	of	timely	and	accurate	information	and	full	access	to	company	records.	

34 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Auditors 
The	amount	payable	by	Contact	and	its	subsidiaries	to	KPMG	as	audit	fees	in	respect	of	the	financial	year	ended	 
30	June	2009	was	$691,000.	In	addition,	Contact	paid	$186,000	to	KPMG	for	a	statutory	audit	as	at	31	December	
2008	in	relation	to	the	retail	bond	issue.	

Contact	also	engaged	KPMG	to	perform	other	assurance	services.	The	amount	payable	in	respect	of	the	additional	
assurance	services	was	$63,104,	comprising	work	relating	to	assurance	procedures	over	a	commercial	model,	and	
due	diligence	work	relating	to	the	retail	bond	issue.

Credit rating
As	at	the	date	of	this	Annual	Report,	Standard	&	Poor’s	long	term	credit	rating	for	Contact	was	BBB	Stable.	As	at	
the	date	of	this	Annual	Report,	Fitch’s	long	term	credit	rating	for	Contact	was	BBB+	Stable.

The	$550	million	unsubordinated,	unsecured	fixed	rate	bonds	issued	by	Contact	in	March	2009	were	assigned	an	
initial	rating	of	BBB	by	Standard	&	Poor’s.	

Donations
During	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009,	in	addition	to	the	numerous	sponsorships	detailed	in	the	
Sustainability Report,	Contact	made	donations	amounting	to	$93,573.	No	subsidiaries	made	any	donations	
during	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009.

Donations	are	made	on	the	basis	that	the	recipient	is	not	obliged	to	provide	any	service	such	as	promoting	
Contact’s	brand	and	are	separate	from	Contact’s	sponsorship	activity.	

There	were	no	political	donations	made	during	the	financial	year.

Risk management 
Contact’s	Risk	Management	Framework	aligns	with	recognised	best	practice	(Australian/New	Zealand	Standard	for	
Risk	Management	AS/NZS	4360:2004).	An	Executive	Risk	Management	Committee	is	responsible	for	monitoring	
the	ongoing	effectiveness	of	Contact’s	risk	management	activities	and	provides	assurance	to	the	Board	and	its	
committees	that	there	is	an	effective	framework	in	operation	over	risk-related	activities.	The	Executive	Risk	
Management	Committee	monitors	trends	in	the	company’s	risk	profile	and	considers	papers	on	how	the	business	
manages	or	mitigates	key	risk	exposures.	Regular	reports	on	the	company’s	risks	are	presented	to	the	Board.	
Contact	recognises	the	importance	of	effective	risk	management	to	its	business	success	and	aims	to	continually	
improve	its	risk	profile	and	risk	management	capability.	

Internal audit
Contact	has	an	independent	in-house	internal	audit	function	(Internal	Audit)	that	provides	objective	assurance	
over	the	effectiveness	of	the	internal	control	framework.	

The	Internal Audit Charter is	included	in	the	Board	Audit	Committee	Charter	available	on	the	company’s	website.	
Internal	Audit	assists	Contact	to	accomplish	its	objectives	by	bringing	a	systematic	disciplined	approach	to	
evaluate	and	improve	the	effectiveness	of	risk	management,	internal	controls	and	governance	processes.	Internal	
Audit	adopts	a	risk-based	audit	approach	driven	from	the	company’s	Risk	Management	Framework.	

Internal	Audit	also	assists	external	audit	by	reporting	findings	from	the	Internal	Audit	programme	so	the	external	
auditors	may	independently	assess	the	degree	of	reliance	they	are	able	to	place	on	the	control	environment	when	
providing	their	opinion	on	the	financial	statements.	

On	a	day-to-day	basis,	Internal	Audit	reports	to	the	General	Counsel	and	Company	Secretary.	Internal	Audit	has	 
the	autonomy	to	report	significant	issues	to	the	Managing	Director	and	the	Board	Audit	Committee	or,	if	considered	
necessary,	the	Chairman.	The	BAC	oversees	the	audit	programme	and	provides	Internal	Audit	with	the	mandate	to	
perform	the	agreed	audit	programme.	Internal	Audit	has	unlimited	access	to	all	other	departments,	records	and	
systems	of	the	Contact	Group	and	to	the	external	auditors	and	other	third	parties	as	it	deems	necessary.	

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  35

Securities Trading Policy
Contact’s	Securities	Trading	Policy	applies	to	all	directors,	officers,	employees	and	contractors	of	Contact	and	 
its	subsidiaries	(‘directors	and	employees’).	Under	the	policy,	directors	and	employees	must	not	trade	Contact	
securities,	or	advise	or	encourage	others	to	trade	or	hold	Contact	securities,	or	pass	on	material	information,	 
if	they	are	in	possession	of	material	information	that	is	not	publicly	available.	In	addition:

•		

•		

	directors	and	employees	may	not	trade	during	the	period	between	1	January	and	the	date	of	the	announcement	
of	Contact’s	half	year	results	to	NZX	(inclusive)	or	during	the	period	between	1	July	and	the	date	of	the	
announcement	of	Contact’s	full	year	results	to	NZX	(inclusive),	and

	directors	and	specified	employees	must	adhere	to	further	additional	obligations	prior	to	any	trade	of	 
Contact securities.

Entries recorded in the interest register 
The	following	interest	register	entries	were	recorded	for	the	company	and	its	subsidiaries	during	the	financial	year	
ended	30	June	2009:

(a) Security dealings of directors
Contact	directors	disclosed	the	following	transactions	in	Contact	securities	in	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	
2009.	Note	that	all	dealings	are	in	ordinary	shares	unless	otherwise	specified.	

Date of  
transaction

Consideration 
per security*

Number of securities 

acquired (disposed of) Nature of relevant interest

Director

G	King

P	Pryke

12/06/09

27/08/08
03/10/08
24/02/09
03/04/09

27/08/08
27/08/08
03/10/08
03/10/08	
25/02/09
25/02/09
01/04/09
01/04/09

31/03/09
31/03/09

02/04/09
02/04/09

$5.81

$8.44
$7.70
$5.86
$6.00

NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO

$5.66
$5.66

NCBO
NCBO

Restricted	shares	acquired	on	trust	under	the	Contact	 
GA	King	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

Restricted	shares	acquired	on	trust	under	the	Contact 
PJ	Pryke	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

Transfer	of	unrestricted	shares	from	Contact	PJ	Pryke	
Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust	to	Pryke	Pty	Limited,	 
as	beneficiary	of	Contact	PJ	Pryke	Director	Remuneration	
Share	Trust

4,781

1,935
1,624
2,140
2,083

(1,694)
1,694
(1,695)
1,695
(1,547)
1,547
(1,653)
1,653

894
769

Acquisition	of	bonus	issue	shares	pursuant	to	the	Profit	
Distribution	Plan	(2009	interim	distribution)

(894)
894

Transfer	of	bonus	issue	shares	acquired	pursuant	to	the	
Profit	Distribution	Plan	(2009	interim	distribution)	from	
Contact	PJ	Pryke	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust	to	
Pryke	Pty	Limited,	as	beneficiary	of	Contact	PJ	Pryke	
Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

88,342	restricted	
ordinary	shares

Initial	disclosure	on	appointment	as	Managing	Director:	
beneficial	interest	in,	and	conditional	entitlement	to	
become	legal	and	beneficial	owner	of,	ordinary	shares	
under	Contact’s	employee	long	term	incentive	scheme	
(Restricted	Share	Plan)

D	Baldwin

16/03/09

N/A

16/03/09

N/A

525,547	options	to	
acquire	ordinary	shares

Initial	disclosure	on	appointment	as	Managing	Director:	
options	to	acquire	ordinary	shares	under	Contact’s	
employee	long	term	incentive	scheme	(Share	Option	Plan)

*	 NCBO	means	no	change	in	beneficial	ownership.

36 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Director

B Beeren

J	Milne

Date of  
transaction

Consideration 
per security*

Number of securities 

acquired (disposed of) Nature of relevant interest

27/08/08
06/10/08
24/02/09
03/04/09

25/02/09
25/02/09
01/04/09
01/04/09

31/03/09
31/03/09

02/04/09
02/04/09

27/08/08
03/10/08
24/02/09
03/04/09

27/08/08
27/08/08
03/10/08
03/10/08
25/02/09
25/02/09
01/04/09
01/04/09

31/03/09
31/03/09
31/03/09
31/03/09

02/04/09
02/04/09

06/04/09
06/04/09

30/04/09
30/04/09

31/03/09
31/03/09
31/03/09

$8.44
$7.50
$5.86
$6.00

NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO

$5.66
$5.66

NCBO
NCBO

$8.44
$7.70
$5.86
$6.00

NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO

$5.66
$5.66
$5.66
$5.66

NCBO
NCBO

NCBO
NCBO

NCBO
NCBO

$1.00
$1.00
$1.00

Restricted	shares	acquired	on	trust	under	the	Contact	 
BG	Beeren	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

Transfer	of	unrestricted	shares	from	Contact	BG	Beeren	
Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust	to	Bruce	Beeren

1,291
1,111
1,426
1,389

(1,032)
1,032
(1,102)
1,102

238
21

Acquisition	of	bonus	issue	shares	pursuant	to	the	Profit	
Distribution	Plan	(2009	interim	distribution)

(238)
238

Transfer	of	bonus	issue	shares	acquired	pursuant	to	the	
Profit	Distribution	Plan	(2009	interim	distribution)	from	
Contact	BG	Beeren	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust	to	
Bruce Beeren

644	+	645
542	+	541
712	+	713
694	+	694

(564)	+	(565)
564	+	565
(565)	+	(565)
565	+	565
(515)	+	(516)
515	+	516
(551)	+	(551)
551	+	551

280	+	280
694
378
47

(280)	+	(280)
280	+	280

Restricted	shares	acquired	on	trust	under	the	Contact	JHG	
Milne	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

Transfer	of	unrestricted	shares	from	Contact	JHG	Milne	
Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust	to	John	Milne	Trust	and	
Maureen	Milne	Trust,	as	beneficiaries	of	Contact	JHG	Milne	
Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

Acquisition	of	bonus	issue	shares	pursuant	to	the	Profit	
Distribution	Plan	(2009	interim	distribution)

Transfer	of	bonus	issue	shares	acquired	pursuant	to	the	
Profit	Distribution	Plan	(2009	interim	distribution)	from	
Contact	JHG	Milne	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust	to	
John	Milne	Trust	and	Maureen	Milne	Trust,	as	beneficiaries	
of	Contact	JHG	Milne	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

(47)
47

Transfer	of	bonus	issue	shares	acquired	pursuant	to	the	
Profit	Distribution	Plan	(2009	interim	distribution)	from	
beneficially	held	shares	into	family	trust,	of	which	Mr	Milne	
is a trustee

(2,415)
2,415

Transfer	of	beneficially	held	shares	into	family	trust,	of	
which	Mr	Milne	is	a	trustee

70,000	bonds
50,000	bonds
30,000	bonds

Acquisition	of	bonds	as	trustee	and	beneficiary	of	family	
trusts	and	as	spouse	of	registered	holder

*	 NCBO	means	no	change	in	beneficial	ownership.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  37

Director

K	Moses

Date of  
transaction

Consideration 
per security*

12/06/09

$5.81

S	Sheldon

16/03/09

T	Saunders

31/03/09

27/08/08
03/10/08
24/02/09
03/04/09

27/08/08
27/08/08
03/10/08
03/10/08	
25/02/09
25/02/09
01/04/09
01/04/09

31/03/09
31/03/09
31/03/09

02/04/09
02/04/09

N/A

$1.00

$8.44
$7.70
$5.86
$6.00

NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO
NCBO

$5.66
$5.66
$5.66

NCBO
NCBO

Number of securities 

acquired (disposed of) Nature of relevant interest

2,390

Restricted	shares	acquired	on	trust	under	the	Contact	 
KA	Moses	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

540

Initial	disclosure	on	appointment	as	director	of	shares	held	
in	a	trust	for	which	Ms	Sheldon	is	an	independent		trustee

10,000	bonds

Acquisition	of	bonds	by	trust	for	which	Ms	Sheldon	is	an	
independent trustee

1,288
1,083
1,425
1,389

(1,129)
1,129
(1,130)
1,130
(1,031)
1,031
(1,102)
1,102

498
239
13

(498)
498

Restricted	shares	acquired	on	trust	under	the	Contact	 
TEC	Saunders	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

Transfer	of	unrestricted	shares	from	Contact	TEC	Saunders	
Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust	to	TEC	Saunders	Family	
Trust	as	beneficiary	of	Contact	TEC	Saunders	Director	
Remuneration	Share	Trust

Acquisition	of	bonus	issue	shares	pursuant	to	the	Profit	
Distribution	Plan	(2009	interim	distribution)

Transfer	of	bonus	issue	shares	acquired	pursuant	to	the	
Profit	Distribution	Plan	(2009	interim	distribution)	from	
Contact	TEC	Saunders	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust	
to	TEC	Saunders	Family	Trust	as	beneficiary	of	Contact	TEC	
Saunders	Director	Remuneration	Share	Trust

11/03/09

$5.56

10,000 On-market	disposal	of	shares

*	 NCBO	means	no	change	in	beneficial	ownership.

(b) Directors’ interests in transactions 

General disclosures
As	at	30	June	2009,	the	following	directors	had	made	the	following	general	disclosures	in	the	interests	register	of	 
the	company.	Notices	given	or	adjusted	during	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009	are	marked	with	an	asterisk	(*).	
Each	such	director	will	be	regarded	as	interested	in	all	transactions	between	Contact	and	the	disclosed	entity.	

G King

Origin	Energy	Limited	and	Group	companies

Managing	Director/Shareholder/Employee

Energy	Supply	Association	of	Australia	Limited	(resigned	in	November	2008)*

Director/Chairman

Australian	Petroleum	Production	and	Exploration	Association

Councillor

38 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

P Pryke

ComTel	Corporation	Limited*

Co-Investor	Capital	Partners	Pty	Limited	

Frog	Hollow	Limited

Goodman	(NZ)	Limited

Goodman	Property	Aggregated	Limited

New	Zealand	Deer	Farms	Limited

Director/Chairman

Director/Shareholder

Director/Shareholder

Director

Director

Director/Shareholder

Novotech	Pty	Limited	(resigned	as	director	in	October	2008)*

Director

Pauatahanui	Projects	Limited

Pryke	Pty	Limited

Tru-Test	Corporation	Limited*

Tru-Test	Pty	Limited

D Baldwin

Origin	Energy	Limited*

B Beeren

Director/Shareholder

Director/Shareholder

Director

Alternate	Director

Employee

Origin	Energy	Limited	and	Group	companies

Director/Shareholder	and	former	Employee/Executive	Director

Coal	&	Allied	Industries	Limited

Equipsuper	Pty	Limited

ConnectEast	Group*

J Milne

Director

Director

Director

The	New	Zealand	Wine	Company	Limited	(including	various	wholly	owned	
subsidiaries)	(resigned	as	a	director	in	October	2008)*

The	He	Huarahi	Tamariki	Trust

Director/Shareholder

Chairman/Trustee

Wellington	City	Council	Audit	and	Risk	Management	Subcommittee

Independent	Member

K Moses

Origin	Energy	Limited	and	Group	companies	(appointed	to	Origin	Energy	
Limited	directorship	March	2009)*

Director/Employee/Shareholder

Australian	Energy	Market	Operator	(Transitional)	Limited*

Director

CSIRO,	Energy	and	Transport	Sector	Advisory	Council
UNSW,	Australian	School	of	Business	Advisory	Council*

Energy	and	Water	Ombudsman	(Victoria)	Limited

Victorian	Energy	Networks	Corporation	(ceased	operation	in	June	2009)*

S Sheldon CNZM

Christchurch	International	Airport	Limited*

Electronic	Transaction	Services	Limited*

FibreTech	New	Zealand	Limited*

Freightways	Limited*

National	Provident	Fund	Board	of	Trustees*

Reserve	Bank	of	New	Zealand*

Sue	Sheldon	Advisory	Limited*

Smiths	City	Group	Limited	and	subsidiaries*

Wool	Industry	Network	Limited*

Wool	Grower	Holdings	Limited*

T Saunders

Committee	Member

Director 

Director

Deputy	Chairman

Director

Chairman

Director

Chairman

Director

Director

Director

Chairman

Director

Global	Corporate	Credit	Limited	(resigned	as	a	director	in	February	2009)*

Director

L.E.K.	Consulting	Australasian	Advisory	Board	

Advisory	Board	Member

 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  39

Specific disclosures
There	were	no	specific	disclosures	made	during	the	year	of	any	interests	in	transactions	entered	into	by	Contact	 
or	any	of	its	subsidiaries.

(c) Use of company information
	No	director	issued	a	notice	requesting	to	use	information	received	in	his	or	her	capacity	as	a	director	that	would	
not	otherwise	be	available	to	the	director.

(d) Board-approved remuneration and other benefits
	The	Board	passed	resolutions	and	signed	accompanying	certificates	to	confirm	the	distribution	for	the	year	ended	
30	June	2009	amongst	directors	of	a	portion	of	the	$1,500,000	remuneration	pool	(that	pool	having	been	
approved	by	shareholders	at	the	2008	Annual	Meeting).	See	page	40	for	further	details	about	the	distribution	
approved	by	the	Board.

(e) Directors’ and employees’ indemnity and insurance
	Contact	has	agreed	to	indemnify	Contact’s	employees	and	directors,	including	directors	of	subsidiary	and	
associated	companies,	against	any	liability	or	costs	incurred	in	any	proceeding,	excluding	actions	for	gross	
negligence,	criminal	liability,	breach	of	fiduciary	duty	or	breach	of	directors’	duties.	

Contact	has	paid	premiums	and	taken	out	comprehensive	insurance	cover,	including	insurance	policies	that	
indemnify	employees	and	directors,	including	directors	of	subsidiaries	and	associates,	against	various	potential	
legal	liabilities.	

In	March	2009,	Contact’s	Board	authorised	the	renewal	of	the	Directors	and	Officers	and	Statutory	Liability	
Insurance	covers	as	at	31	March	2009	until	31	December	2009	and	certified,	in	terms	of	section	162	of	the	
Companies	Act	1993,	that	this	cover	is	fair	to	the	company.	

40 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Remuneration report

Directors’ remuneration

Directors’ fees
The	current	total	directors’	fee	pool	is	$1,500,000	per	annum.	A	total	of	$852,651	was	distributed	in	respect	 
of	the	year	ended	30	June	2009	as	follows:

•		 Base	director	fees:	$679,445,	distributed	as	follows:

-		 Chairman	(Grant	King)	–	$200,000	per	annum,	paid	with	effect	from	1	November	2008.

-		 Deputy	Chairman	(Phillip	Pryke)	–	$150,000	per	annum.

-		

	Other	non-executive	directors	–	$100,000	per	annum	each	(note	that	Karen	Moses’s	fees	were	paid	 
with	effect	from	1	November	2008	and	Sue	Sheldon’s	fees	were	paid	with	effect	from	16	March	2009).

-		 Managing	Director	(David	Baldwin)	–	Nil.

•		 Committee	fees:	$173,206,	distributed	as	follows:

-		

-		

-		

	$22,500	and	$17,500	was	distributed	to	John	Milne	and	Bruce	Beeren	respectively	for	their	additional	
workload	as	members	of	the	Due	Diligence	Committee	for	Contact’s	March	2009	retail	bond	issue.	

	$50,000	was	distributed	to	John	Milne	in	his	capacity	as	Chair	of	the	Board	Audit	Committee.

	$83,206	was	distributed	as	committee	fees.

Directors’ restricted share scheme
Contact	operates	a	directors’	restricted	share	scheme	(Directors’	Share	Scheme),	approved	by	shareholders	in	 
2004	to	improve	the	alignment	of	directors’	and	shareholders’	interests.	Instead	of	receiving	all	of	their	pre-tax	
base	directors	fees	in	cash,	those	directors	participating	in	the	Directors’	Share	Scheme	receive	one-third	of	that	
amount	by	way	of	Contact	shares	that	are	restricted	for	a	period	of	three	years	or	until	a	director	ceases	to	hold	
office.	Directors	are	not	otherwise	entitled	to	any	payment	in	connection	with	their	retirement	or	cessation	of	office.

The	directors	participating	in	the	Directors’	Share	Scheme	during	the	financial	year	were	Grant	King,	Phillip	Pryke,	
Bruce	Beeren,	John	Milne,	Karen	Moses,	Sue	Sheldon	and	Tim	Saunders.	Grant	King	and	Karen	Moses	joined	the	
Directors’	Share	Scheme	effective	from	1	November	2008	(the	date	they	commenced	receiving	director	fees),	and	
Sue	Sheldon	joined	effective	from	16	March	2009.	Tim	Saunders’s	participation	in	the	Directors’	Share	Scheme	
ceased	following	the	final	share	purchase	on	17	August	2009,	using	his	director	fees	from	the	quarter	ended	 
30	June	2009.

Under	the	Directors’	Share	Scheme,	at	the	end	of	each	quarter,	Contact	pays	to	a	trustee	on	behalf	of	each	
participant	one-third	of	the	pre-tax	base	remuneration	accrued	by	the	participant	during	that	quarter.	The	trustee	
uses	the	payment	to	purchase	Contact	shares	on-market	through	a	broker.	This	trading	may	only	take	place	during	 
a	period	that	is	not	a	specified	blackout	period	to	ensure	compliance	with	the	company’s	Securities	Trading	Policy.	

The	trustee	is	then	required	to	hold	the	shares	purchased	until	the	earlier	of	three	years	from	the	commencement	of	
the	quarter	immediately	following	the	quarter	in	which	the	fees	were	accrued,	and	the	date	of	the	director	ceasing	
to	hold	office.	On	transfer	by	the	trustee	to	the	participant	at	this	time,	the	participant	is	entitled	to	sell	the	shares,	
subject	to	Securities	Trading	Policy	requirements.	Throughout	the	time	that	the	shares	are	held	by	the	trustee,	the	
participant	is	entitled	to	receive	distributions	and	participate	in	other	rights	attaching	or	accruing	to	the	shares,	
subject	to	any	particular	restrictions	set	out	in	the	Directors’	Share	Scheme	or	elsewhere.

During	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009,	Contact	provided	financial	assistance	in	connection	with	the	ongoing	
operation	of	the	scheme.	A	disclosure document	relating	to	the	financial	assistance	to	be	provided	over	the	next	
12	months	was	sent	to	shareholders	in	September	2009	and	is	available	on	the	company’s	website.	

 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  41

The	table	below	details	the	restricted	shares	of	each	of	Contact’s	directors	that	became	unrestricted	under	the	
Directors’	Share	Scheme	during	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009.	

Date of acquisition

Date unrestricted

Number unrestricted

Original acquisition price

Name

Phillip	Pryke

John	Milne

Tim	Saunders

16	November	2005

16	November	2005

27	August	2008

3	October	2008

21	February	2006

25	February	2009

28	August	2006

1	April	2009

16	November	2005

16	November	2005

27	August	2008

3	October	2008

21	February	2006

25	February	2009

28	August	2006

1	April	2009

16	November	2005

16	November	2005

27	August	2008

3	October	2008

21	February	2006

25	February	2009

28	August	2006

1	April	2009

Bruce Beeren

21	February	2006

25	February	2009

28	August	2006

1	April	2009

1,694

1,695

1,547

1,653

1,129

1,130

1,031

1,102

1,129

1,130

1,031

1,102

1,032

1,102

$6.67

$6.67

$7.29

$6.84

$6.67

$6.67

$7.29

$6.84

$6.67

$6.67

$7.29

$6.84

$7.29

$6.84

Remuneration details of directors
Details	of	the	total	remuneration	and	the	value	of	other	benefits	received	by	each	director	of	Contact	in	their	
capacity	as	a	director	during	the	financial	year	ended	30	June	2009	are	as	follows:

Director

Position

Board fees

Committee fees

Total remuneration5

G	King1

P	Pryke

Chairman

Deputy	Chairman

D	Baldwin2 

Managing	Director

B Beeren

J	Milne

K	Moses1

S	Sheldon3

T	Saunders

Total

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Cash

Restricted shares

$88,889

$100,000

–

$66,667

$66,667

$44,445

$19,630

$66,667

$44,444

$50,000

–

$33,333

$33,333

$22,222

$9,815

$33,333

Cash

	–

	–

–

	$44,714

$77,500	

$10,000

$7,842

$33,150

$452,965

$226,4804

$173,206

$133,333

$150,000

–

$144,714

$177,500

$76,667

$37,287

$133,150

$852,651

1	
2	
3	
4	

	 Grant	King	and	Karen	Moses	received	director	fees	with	effect	from	1	November	2008.
	 As	an	executive,	David	Baldwin	does	not	receive	fees	in	his	capacity	as	a	director.	See	page	42	for	details	of	David	Baldwin’s	remuneration.
	 Sue	Sheldon	became	a	director	on	16	March	2009.

	Due	to	trading	period	restrictions	under	Contact’s	Securities	Trading	Policy,	purchases	of	restricted	shares	valued	at	$72,314	of	this	total	amount	occurred	on	
17	August	2009.

5	

	 Pursuant	to	Contact’s	constitution,	directors	are	not	entitled	to	any	payment	in	connection	with	their	retirement	or	cessation	of	office.

	
42 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Executive remuneration
There	are	two	components	to	executive	remuneration	–	fixed	remuneration	and	at-risk/variable	remuneration.	 
The	determination	of	fixed	remuneration	is	based	on	responsibilities,	individual	performance	and	experience,	 
and	market	data.	At-risk/variable	remuneration	comprises	short	term	incentives	and,	for	senior	and	key	
employees,	long	term	incentives.

Managing Director remuneration 
David	Baldwin,	Managing	Director	of	Contact,	has	been	seconded	to	the	role	by	his	employer,	Origin	Energy	
Limited.	During	the	term	of	the	secondment,	Contact	will	reimburse	Origin	Energy	Limited	for	the	cost	of	David	
Baldwin’s	salary	and	other	employment	benefits,	except	for	restricted	shares	and	options,	which	are	provided	
directly	by	Contact.	David	Baldwin	does	not	receive	any	director	fees.	The	following	table	details	the	nature	and	
amount	of	the	remuneration	earned	by	David	Baldwin	for	the	year	ended	30	June	2009.

Remuneration paid

Equity rights (options and restricted shares)1

David Baldwin 
Managing	Director

Fixed 
remuneration
$

Variable 
remuneration2
$

Number 
of options 
issued3

Total
$

Value of 
equity 
rights 
issued and 
amortising 
during year4 
$

Value of 
equity 
rights 
issued in 
past years 
amortising 
during year4 
$

Number of 
restricted 
shares 
issued3

Total 
$

Year	ended	 
30	June	2009

Year	ended	 
30	June	2008

838,856

246,000

1,084,856

220,652

31,020

143,030

395,642

1,623,528

725,000

431,375

1,156,375

98,485

17,269

81,250

268,333

1,505,958

1	 Although	options	and	restricted	shares	are	granted	in	October	each	year,	they	pertain	to	the	at-risk	component	of	the	prior	financial	year’s	remuneration.
2	 Variable	remuneration	for	the	financial	year	is	based	on	achieving	personal	goals	and	satisfying	specific	performance	criteria.	The	short	term	incentive	is	for	performance	

during	the	relevant	financial	year.	The	amount	was	determined	following	the	end	of	the	relevant	financial	year	after	performance	reviews.

3	 Contact	Energy	Limited	equity	securities.
4	 Options	and	restricted	shares	are	subject	to	performance	hurdles	as	described	on	page	48.	The	fair	value	of	the	options	is	calculated	at	the	date	of	grant	using	a	
combination	of	Monte-Carlo	simulation	and	binomial	option	pricing	model.	Restricted	shares	are	valued	based	on	the	market	price	at	date	of	grant	adjusted	for	
distributions	that	are	not	received	until	the	restricted	share	vests.	The	value	disclosed	is	the	portion	of	the	fair	value	of	the	equity	rights	allocated	to	the	relevant	
reporting	period.	Options	and	restricted	shares	will	only	be	convertible	into	ordinary	unrestricted	shares	to	the	extent	that	performance	hurdles	are	met.	No	options	 
or	ordinary	shares	vested	in	the	2008	or	2009	financial	year.

David	Baldwin	has	participated	in	Contact’s	long	term	incentive	scheme	for	employees	(LTI	Scheme)	since	its	
inception.	Contact	relies	on	NZSX	Listing	Rule	7.3.9	to	allow	Mr	Baldwin	to	continue	to	participate	in	the	LTI	
Scheme	following	his	appointment	as	Managing	Director.	On	23	July	2009,	NZX	Regulation	granted	a	waiver	in	
respect	of	NZSX	Listing	Rule	7.6.4(b)(iii)	to	allow	Mr	Baldwin	to	continue	to	receive	financial	assistance	under	 
the	LTI	Scheme.	The	full	version	of	the	waiver can	be	found	on	the	company’s	website.	

 
 
 
 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  43

Movement	during	the	reporting	period	in	the	number	of	options	over	ordinary	shares	and	restricted	shares	held	 
in	Contact	Energy	Limited	is	set	out	in	the	following	tables.	 	

Restricted shares

Held at 1 July 2008

Granted as compensation

Vested during the year

Held at 30 June 2009

David Baldwin
Managing	Director

Options

David Baldwin
Managing	Director

57,322

31,020

–

88,342

Held at  
1 July 2008

Granted as 
compensation

Exercised

Held at  
30 June 2009

Vested during 
the year

Vested and 
excercisable at 
30 June 2009

304,895

220,652

–

525,547

–

–

Short term incentives
Contact’s	variable	remuneration	recognises	and	rewards	high-performing	individuals	whose	contribution	supports	
business	goals	and	objectives,	whilst	meeting	the	goals	set	for	the	individual.	

Contact’s	short	term	incentives	(STIs)	comprise	cash	payments	based	on	performance	measured	against	key	
performance	indicators	(KPIs).	For	the	year	ended	30	June	2009,	different	levels	of	incentives	were	determined	
reflecting	the	nature	of	roles	in	the	company.	KPIs	generally	comprise	company,	team	and	individual	targets.	 
These	targets	are	designed	to	create	goals	that	will	support	an	achievement	and	performance-oriented	culture.	 
The	STI	programme	is	designed	to	differentiate	and	reward	exceptional,	outstanding	and	good	performance.	

The	Board	reserves	the	right	to	adjust	STI	awards	if	health,	safety	and	environment	targets	are	not	met.

Long term incentives
The	principal	objective	of	long	term	incentives	is	to	align	executives’	performance	with	shareholder	interests	and	
provide	equity-based	incentives	that	help	retain	valuable	employees.

Legacy Long Term Incentive Scheme
Up	until	30	June	2006,	because	a	review	was	pending,	only	a	limited	number	of	senior	executives	participated	 
in	the	then-existing	long	term	incentive	scheme	(Legacy	LTI	Scheme).	Upon	completion	of	that	review,	a	new	
employee	long	term	incentive	scheme	was	introduced	for	the	year	ended	30	June	2007	and	beyond.

Following	the	satisfaction	of	performance	hurdle	measurements,	shares	were	purchased	on-market	for	the	benefit	
of	participants	in	the	Legacy	LTI	scheme	in	August	2007	and	August	2008.	Those	share	purchases	were	disclosed	
in the 2008 Annual Report. No	further	shares	were	purchased	during	the	financial	year.

There	will	be	six-monthly	reassessments	of	performance	in	relation	to	hurdles	not	met	until	30	June	2010.	
Therefore,	within	the	next	12	months,	Contact	may	provide	financial	assistance	for	both	the	purchase	of	the	shares	
on-market	and	in	connection	with	the	ongoing	operation	of	the	scheme.	A	disclosure document relating	to	this	
financial	assistance	was	sent	to	shareholders	in	September	2009	and	is	available	on	the	company’s	website.

	
	
	
	
	
44 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Employee Long Term Incentive Scheme
In	formulating	the	new	employee	long	term	incentive	scheme	(LTI	Scheme)	in	2006,	Contact	determined	 
that	a	combination	of	share	options	and	restricted	shares	was	desirable	to	ensure	incentives	align	senior	and 
key	employees’	performance	with	shareholders’	interests,	both	in	favourable	and	unfavourable	sharemarket	
conditions. 

Therefore,	for	the	year	ended	30	June	2007	and	beyond,	Contact	introduced	a	new	employee	long	term	incentive	
plan	for	participating	employees	–	consisting	of	a	Share	Option	Plan	and	a	Restricted	Share	Plan	(together,	the	
‘Plans’).	Details	of	the	Plans	are	set	out	below.	

The	Board	determined	that	long	term	incentives	should	be	awarded	to	reflect	individual	participants’	performance	
in	the	preceding	financial	year	and	potential	in	future	years.

Under	the	Plans,	for	the	year	ended	30	June	2009,	the	Board	allocated	long	term	incentive	awards	that	are,	by	
value,	50	per	cent	share	options	and	50	per	cent	restricted	shares.	Under	the	Plans,	the	share	options	will	only	 
be	exercisable,	and	the	restricted	shares	will	only	become	unrestricted,	to	the	extent	that	the	relevant	performance	
hurdles	are	satisfied.	The	performance	hurdles	for	the	share	options	and	restricted	shares	in	relation	to	the	year	
ended	30	June	2009	are	set	out	on	page	48.	The	number	of	share	options	and	restricted	shares	awarded	are	
calculated	by	dividing	the	value	of	the	long	term	incentive	award	(being	a	percentage	of	the	relevant	participant’s	
salary)	by	the	fair	value	of	the	share	options	and	restricted	shares.

In	the	year	ended	30	June	2009,	there	were	19	participants	in	the	LTI	Scheme.	The	Board	intends	to	extend	
participation	in	the	LTI	Scheme	to	approximately	40	additional	senior	and	key	employees	of	the	company	in	 
the	October	2009	allocation	of	share	options	and	restricted	shares.	The	Board	has	decided	to	expand	the	current	
LTI	Scheme	to	these	additional	individuals,	in	order	to	acknowledge	not	only	their	present	worth	to	the	business,	
but	also	their	potential	to	add	significant	future	value.	This	will	bring	the	total	number	of	participants	under	the	
LTI	Scheme	to	approximately	60	employees.

Share Option Plan
Under	the	Share	Option	Plan,	the	Board	issues	share	options	to	participants	to	acquire	ordinary	shares	in	Contact	
at	the	market	price	determined	at	the	effective	grant	date.	For	share	options	granted	in	the	year	ended	30	June	
2009,	the	market	price	was	the	weighted	average	market	price	of	Contact’s	ordinary	shares	traded	on	the	NZSX	
over	the	20	business	days	prior	to	the	effective	grant	date.

As	noted	above,	the	options	are	exercisable	subject	to	performance	hurdles	as	determined	by	the	Board.	The	
performance	hurdles	for	share	options	issued	in	the	year	ended	30	June	2009	are	described	on	page	48.	There	is	 
a	vesting	period	of	approximately	three	years	from	the	effective	grant	date	before	share	options	may	be	exercised.	
Following	the	end	of	that	period,	the	performance	hurdles	are	measured	on	three	annual	test	dates.	There	is	a	
two-year,	two-month	exercise	period	following	the	first	test	date	during	which	share	options	may	be	exercised,	
again,	to	the	extent	that	the	performance	hurdles	are	met.

The	share	options	may	also	be	exercised	if,	between	the	effective	grant	date	and	the	exercise	date,	a	change	of	
control	of	Contact	occurs.	In	addition,	the	Board	may,	at	its	discretion,	permit	share	options	to	be	exercised	prior	
to	the	commencement	of	the	relevant	exercise	period	where	Contact	shares	cease	to	be	listed	on	the	NZSX	or	other	
circumstances	occur	where	such	an	early	exercise	is	considered	appropriate	by	the	Board.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  45

The	share	options	will	lapse:

•		

•		

•		

•		

if	the	performance	hurdles	are	not	met	by	the	final	measurement	date

if	the	share	options	are	not	exercised	by	the	lapse	date

	on	the	date	on	which	the	participant	ceases	to	be	employed	by	the	company	(except	in	the	case	of	
redundancy),	or

	on	the	death	of	the	participant	(provided	however,	that	the	Board	may,	in	its	discretion,	allow	the	participant’s	
successor	to	exercise	the	share	options).	

In	the	event	of	redundancy,	the	Share	Option	Plan	will	continue,	except	that	the	number	of	share	options	will	be	
recalculated	on	a	proportionate	basis.	

The	share	options	are	unlisted	and	are	personal	to	the	employee	and	therefore	cannot	be	traded.

In	May	2007,	NZX	Regulation	granted	approval	under	NZSX	Listing	Rule	8.1.4	for	the	issue	of	share	options	under	
the	Share	Option	Plan	with	effective	grant	dates	of	1	July	2006	and	20	November	2006.	NZX	Regulation	also	
granted	a	ruling	that	NZSX	Listing	Rule	7.10	(being	additional	requirements	for	rights	issues)	does	not	apply	to	the	
granting	of	share	options	under	the	Share	Option	Plan.	The	full	version	of	the	waiver	and	approval	can	be	found	on	
the	company’s	website.

The	number	of	options	issued	and	their	exercise	status	as	at	the	date	of	this	report	are	set	out	in	the	table	below.

Number of 
options issued

Effective  
grant date

Exercise 
price per 
option

First exercise date

Number 
lapsed

Final lapse date

Vested

Number 
exercisable

365,322

1	July	2006

18,361

20	November	2006

13,413

15	January	2007

490,326

1	October	2007

22,706

1	February	2008

881,769

1	October	2008

$7.35

$7.55

$8.28

$9.15

$7.63

$8.60

1	October	2009

81,2451

30	November	2011

1	October	2009

18,3612

30	November	2011

1	October	2009

Nil

30	November	2011

1	October	2010

176,2953

30	November	2012

1	October	2010

7,6984

30	November	2012

1	October	2011

210,8505

30	November	2013

No

No

No

No

No

No

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

1	

2	
3	

4	
5	

	Due	to	the	cessation	of	employment	of	participants,	options	from	this	tranche	lapsed	pursuant	to	the	Share	Option	Plan	Rules	on	the	following	dates:	7	September	
2007	(14,103	options),	30	June	2008	(20,513	options),	2	July	2008	(13,808	options)	and	31	July	2009	(32,821	options).
	Due	to	the	cessation	of	employment	of	participants,	all	18,361	options	from	this	tranche	lapsed	pursuant	to	the	Share	Option	Plan	Rules	on	31	December	2008.
	Due	to	the	cessation	of	employment	of	participants,	options	from	this	tranche	lapsed	pursuant	to	the	Share	Option	Plan	Rules	on	the	following	dates:	3	December	
2007	(6,591	options),	2	April	2008	(18,136	options),	30	June	2008	(20,000	options),	2	July	2008	(33,656	options),	31	December	2008	(47,457	options)	and	 
31	July	2009	(50,455	options).
	Due	to	the	cessation	of	employment	of	participants,	7,698	options	from	this	tranche	lapsed	pursuant	to	the	Share	Option	Plan	Rules	on	24	December	2008.
	Due	to	the	cessation	of	employment	of	participants,	options	from	this	tranche	lapsed	pursuant	to	the	Share	Option	Plan	Rules	on	the	following	dates:	24	December	
2008	(19,871	options),	31	December	2008	(57,065	options)	and	31	July	2009	(133,914	options).

	
	
	
	
	
46 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Restricted Share Plan
Under	the	Restricted	Share	Plan,	the	Board	issues	restricted	shares	to	the	participants	at	the	market	price	
determined	at	the	effective	grant	date.	Although	the	participant	has	beneficial	title	to	the	restricted	shares,	 
under	the	terms	of	the	Restricted	Share	Plan:

•	

•	

the	restricted	shares	are	issued	to	a	trustee	to	be	held	on	trust	for	the	participant,	and

	the	trustee	will	not	exercise	any	voting	rights	attaching	to	the	restricted	shares	and	has	forgone	the	right	to	
distributions.

Legal	title	cannot	be	transferred	to	the	participant,	and	therefore	traded	by	the	participant,	unless	and	until	the	
restricted shares become unrestricted. 

For	restricted	shares	issued	in	the	year	ended	30	June	2009,	the	market	price	or	allocation	price	of	the	 
restricted	shares	was	the	weighted	average	market	price	of	Contact’s	ordinary	shares	traded	on	the	NZSX	 
over	the	20	business	days	prior	to	the	effective	grant	date.	Payment	of	the	allocation	price	for	the	restricted	 
shares	was	funded	by	an	interest-free	loan	from	the	company	in	an	amount	equal	to	the	allocation	price	for	 
the shares. Financial assistance disclosures	were	sent	to	shareholders	in	September	2009	and	are	available	
on	the	company’s	website.	

If	the	performance	hurdles	are	met,	the	restricted	shares	will	be	released	from	the	trust	to	the	participant	following	
the	relevant	test	date.	There	is	a	vesting	period	of	approximately	three	years	from	the	effective	grant	date	before	
restricted	shares	that	vest	may	be	released	from	the	restrictions	and	transferred	to	the	participant.	Following	the	
end	of	that	period,	the	exercise	hurdles	are	measured	on	three	annual	test	dates.	To	the	extent	the	hurdles	are	met	
on	each	of	these	test	dates,	restricted	shares	must	be	released	from	the	restrictions	and	transferred	from	the	
trustee to the participant.

For	restricted	shares	that	a	participant	becomes	entitled	to,	the	company	pays	a	taxable	bonus,	out	of	which	 
the	participant	must	repay	the	loan.	Upon	repayment	of	the	loan,	the	trustee	transfers	legal	title	to	the	restricted	
shares to the participant. 

The	participants	must	transfer	to	the	trustee	their	rights	to	any	restricted	shares	that	have	not	been	released	to	 
the	participant	by	the	final	test	date.	The	allocation	price	for	those	restricted	shares	transferred	to	the	trustee	will	
be	applied	to	the	trustee	to	immediately	repay	the	loan	to	the	company.

The	restricted	shares	may	be	released	from	the	restrictions	and	transferred	to	the	participants	if,	between	the	
grant	date	and	a	test	date,	a	change	of	control	of	Contact	occurs.	

The	rights	to	the	restricted	shares	will	lapse:

•		

•		

•		

if	the	performance	hurdles	are	not	met	by	the	final	test	date

	on	the	date	on	which	the	participant	ceases	to	be	employed	by	the	company	(except	in	the	case	of	
redundancy),	or

	on	the	death	of	the	participant	(provided,	however,	that	the	Board	may,	in	its	discretion,	allow	legal	title	to	 
the	restricted	shares	to	be	transferred	to	the	participant’s	successors).	

In	the	event	of	redundancy,	the	Restricted	Share	Plan	will	continue,	except	that	the	number	of	restricted	shares	
will	be	recalculated	on	a	proportionate	basis.	

While	restricted,	the	restricted	shares	are	unlisted	and	are	personal	to	the	employee	and	therefore	cannot	be	
traded	nor	used	for	security.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  47

In	May	2007,	NZX	Regulation	granted	approval	under	NZSX	Listing	Rule	8.1.4	for	the	issue	of	restricted	shares	
under	the	Restricted	Share	Plan	with	effective	grant	dates	of	1	July	2006	and	20	November	2006.	NZX	Regulation	
also	granted	an	ongoing	waiver	from	NZSX	Listing	Rule	8.1.3	for	issues	of	reallocated	shares	under	the	Restricted	
Share	Plan	(being	those	restricted	shares	that	are	not	released	to	a	participant	at	the	final	transfer	date,	but	are	
instead	purchased	by	the	trustee	and	then	reallocated	to	a	participant).	The	full	version	of	the	waiver	and	approval	
can	be	found	on	the	company’s	website.

The	number	of	restricted	shares	issued	and	their	status	as	at	the	date	of	this	report	are	set	out	in	the	table	below.

Number of 
restricted 
shares 
issued

Number 
reallocated from 
unallocated pool 
(see following)

Effective  
grant date

Allocation 
price per 
share

First test date

Final test date

Number 
transferred to 
unallocated pool 
(see following)

Number 
released 

70,890

3,581

2,504

83,242

3,091

Nil

Nil

Nil

2,737

1,156

1	July	2006

$7.35

1	October	2009

1	October	2011

20	November	2006

$7.55

1	October	2009

1	October	2011

15	January	2007

$8.28

1	October	2009

1	October	2011

1	October	2007

$9.15

1	October	2010

1	October	2012

1	February	2008

$7.63

1	October	2010

1	October	2012

104,712

19,247

1	October	2008

$8.60

1	October	2011

1	October	2013

15,765

3,581

Nil

30,913

1,440

29,641

Nil

N/A

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Pursuant	to	the	Restricted	Share	Plan	rules,	where	a	participant	ceases	employment,	beneficial	ownership	of	
restricted	shares	is	transferred	to	the	trustee	to	hold	on	trust	in	an	unallocated	pool	to	be	reallocated	to	a	
participant	at	a	future	date.	As	at	the	date	of	this	report,	there	were	58,200	restricted	shares	held	by	the	trustee	in	
the	unallocated	pool.	The	following	table	sets	out	the	movements	of	the	unallocated	pool	to	the	date	of	this	report.

Original issue date 

21	June	2007

31	October	2007

25	February	2008

11	November	2008

Number of restricted 
shares transferred to 
unallocated pool

2,737

3,980

2,679

3,581

6,369

1,156

3,180

3,507

5,901

8,322

8,847

1,440

2,794

8,022

Date of transfer to 
unallocated pool

7	September	2007

30	June	2008

2	July	2008

31	December	2008

31	July	2009

3	December	2007

2	April	2008

30	June	2008

2	July	2008

31	December	2008

31	July	2009

24	December	2008

24	December	2008

31	December	2008

18,825

31	July	2009

Number of shares 
reallocated to a 
participant

2,737

3,980

2,679

Nil

Nil

1,156

3,180

3,507

5,901

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Date of reallocation to 
participant

31	October	2007

11	November	2008

11	November	2008

N/A

N/A

25	February	2008

11	November	2008

11	November	2008

11	November	2008

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

48 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Hurdles
Broadly,	the	number	of	unrestricted	ordinary	shares	to	which	a	participant	is	entitled	under	the	Plans	is	
determined	by	achievement	of	a	predetermined	hurdle	or	hurdles.	For	the	restricted	shares	and	share	options	
issued	in	the	year	ended	30	June	2009,	the	hurdle	is	a	comparison	of	Contact’s	total	shareholder	return	(TSR)	
against	the	average	TSR	of	a	reference	group	comprising	the	NZX50	index	over	the	relevant	period,	commencing	on	
the	effective	grant	date.	

For	the	restricted	shares	and	share	options	issued	in	the	year	ended	30	June	2009,	participants’	vesting	
entitlements	will	be	calculated	on	three	test	dates,	being	1	October	2011,	1	October	2012	and	1	October	2013.

Contact’s	TSR	will	be	determined	as	follows:

(i)	 	The	volume	weighted	average	market	price	of	Contact	ordinary	shares	for	the	three	months	prior	to	the	
effective	grant	date	is	subtracted	from	the	price	of	the	shares	as	determined	by	measuring	the	volume	
weighted	average	market	price	of	the	shares	over	the	three-month	period	prior	to	the	relevant	test	date.

(ii)	 	Adjusting	the	calculation	in	(i)	above	to	reflect	the	assumed	reinvestment	of	distributions	(excluding	

imputation	credits)	over	the	period	from	the	effective	grant	date	to	the	relevant	test	date.	

The	participant’s	vesting	entitlements	will	be	based	on	a	predetermined	formula	relative	to	achievement	of	the	
predetermined	hurdle	or	hurdles.	For	the	restricted	shares	and	share	options	issued	in	the	year	ended	30	June	
2009,	these	are:

(i)	 	zero	per	cent	vesting,	if	Contact’s	TSR	over	the	performance	period	does	not	exceed	the	50th	percentile	of	 

the	TSR	of	those	companies	that	are	in	the	NZX50	at	both	grant	date	and	the	relevant	test	date

(ii)			50–100	per	cent	vesting	(on	a	sliding	scale,	i.e.	the	percentage	of	restricted	shares	released/share	options	

exercisable	increases	proportionately	on	a	straight-line	sliding	scale	from	the	50th	up	to	the	75th	percentile),	
if	Contact’s	TSR	is	between	the	50th	percentile	and	the	75th	percentile	TSR	of	those	companies	that	are	in	the	
NZX50	at	both	grant	date	and	the	relevant	test	date

(iii)		100	per	cent	vesting,	if	Contact’s	TSR	is	at	or	above	the	75th	percentile	TSR	of	those	companies	that	 

are	in	the	NZX50	at	both	grant	date	and	the	relevant	test	date.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  49

Number of employees

Parent

Subsidiaries

Employee remuneration
The	following	table	shows	the	number	of	employees	 
and	former	employees	of	Contact	who,	in	their	capacity	 
as	employees,	received	remuneration	and	other	benefit	
entitlements	(including	redundancy	payments)	during	 
the	year	ended	30	June	2009	of	at	least	$100,000.	As	at	 
30	June	2009,	no	Contact	subsidiary	held	any	employees.

The	remuneration	figures	analysed	include	all	monetary	
payments	actually	paid	during	the	course	of	the	year	 
ended	30	June	2009,	including	the	short	term	variable	
remuneration	relating	to	the	30	June	2008	financial	year.	
The	figures	do	not	include	amounts	paid	post	30	June	2009	
that	related	to	the	period	ended	30	June	2009.

The	value	of	remuneration	benefits	analysed	includes	 
both	fixed,	short	term	and	long	term	variable/risk	
components	of	remuneration,	and	redundancy	and	other	
payments	made	on	termination	of	employment.	The	value	
of	the	equity-based	incentives	included	in	the	remuneration	
band	analysis	represents	the	portion	of	the	grant	date	fair	
value	of	the	equity	instruments	allocated	to	the	reporting	
period	ended	30	June	2009.	

The	remuneration	(and	any	other	benefits)	of	the	Managing	
Director,	David	Baldwin,	is	disclosed	in	the	Managing	
Director	remuneration	section	on	page	42.

Remuneration bands

$100,000–$110,000

$110,001–$120,000

$120,001–$130,000

$130,001–$140,000

$140,001–$150,000

$150,001–$160,000

$160,001–$170,000

$170,001–$180,000

$180,001–$190,000

$190,001–$200,000

$200,001–$210,000

$210,001–$220,000

$220,001–$230,000

$230,001–$240,000

$240,001–$250,000

$250,001–$260,000

$260,001–$270,000

$270,001–$280,000

$280,001–$290,000

$310,001–$320,000

$340,001–$350,000

$360,001–$370,000

$370,001–$380,000

$440,001–$450,000

$450,001–$460,000

$490,001–$500,000

$540,001–$550,000

$550,001–$560,000

$560,001–$570,000

$580,001–$590,000

$620,001–$630,000
$730,001–$740,000

Total

261

45

49

44

18

17

18

11

6

5

7

6

3

2

4

6

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1
1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

50 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact subsidiaries – directors and remuneration
Other	than	Paul	Smith,	who	received	the	Australian	dollar	equivalent	of	$57,489	in	the	year	ended	30	June	2009	in	
his	capacity	as	a	consultant	to	Contact	Australia	Pty	Limited	and	Contact	Operations	Australia	Pty	Limited,	no	other	
director	of	any	of	Contact’s	subsidiaries	received	additional	remuneration	or	benefits	in	respect	of	their	directorships.	

The	table	below	lists	the	directors	of	Contact	subsidiary	companies	as	at	30	June	2009.

Contact subsidiary

Contact	Aria	Limited

Contact	Australia	Pty	Limited

Contact	Operations	Australia	Pty	Limited

Contact	Wind	Limited

Empower	Limited1

Rockgas	Limited2

Rockgas	Holdings	Limited2

Stratford	Power	Limited3

Directors

David	Baldwin
Elizabeth	Kelly

David	Baldwin
Elizabeth	Kelly
Paul	Smith

David	Baldwin
Elizabeth	Kelly
Paul	Smith

David	Baldwin
Mark	Trigg
Alistair	Yates	

David	Baldwin
Jason	Delamore

David	Baldwin
Mark	Trigg

David	Baldwin
Mark	Trigg

Elizabeth	Kelly
Mark	Trigg

1	 Kim	Josling	was	a	director	of	Empower	Limited	until	13	March	2009,	when	she	was	replaced	by	David	Baldwin.	
2	
John	Cumming	was	a	director	of	Rockgas	Limited	and	Rockgas	Holdings	Limited	until	22	December	2008.	
3	 Kim	Josling	was	a	director	of	Stratford	Power	Limited	until	13	March	2009,	when	she	was	replaced	by	Elizabeth	Kelly.

Effective	from	31	July	2009,	Mark	Trigg	resigned	as	a	director	of	Contact	Wind	Limited,	Rockgas	Limited,	 
Rockgas	Holdings	Limited	and	Stratford	Power	Limited.	Graham	Cockroft	was	appointed	as	a	director	of	 
Contact	Wind	Limited	on	31	July	2009.

 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  51

Security holder information 

The	following	information	is	provided	in	accordance	with	the	Listing	Rules	of	New	Zealand	Exchange	Limited.

20 largest registered holders of Quoted Equity Securities as at 3 August 2009 (including holdings within  
New Zealand Central Securities Depository Limited) 

Origin	Energy	Pacific	Holdings	Limited

HSBC	Nominees	(New	Zealand)	Limited	A/C	State	Street

National	Nominees	New	Zealand	Limited

New	Zealand	Superannuation	Fund	Nominees	Limited

Accident Compensation Corporation

Citibank	Nominees	(New	Zealand)	Limited

Premier	Nominees	Limited	–	ING	Wholesale	Australasian	Share	Fund

Custodial	Services	Limited

NZGT	Nominees	Limited	–	AIF	Equity	Fund

Tea	Custodians	Limited

HSBC	Nominees	(New	Zealand)	Limited

FNZ	Custodians	Limited

Origin	Energy	Universal	Holdings	Limited

AMP	Investments	Strategic	Equity	Growth	Fund

Asteron	Life	Limited

ANZ	Nominees	Limited

Investment	Custodial	Services	Limited

Custody	and	Investment	Nominees	Limited

Masfen	Securities	Limited

Guardian	Trust	Investment	Nominees	(RWT)	Limited

Total top 20 holders (excluding Treasury Stock)

Total other shares  (excluding Treasury Stock)

Total issued shares1 (excluding Treasury Stock)

Total Treasury Stock (held by Contact Energy Limited)

Total issued shares1

1		 Calculations	exclude	268,020	restricted	ordinary	shares	issued	pursuant	to	Contact’s	employee	long	term	incentive	scheme.	

296,487,002

23,451,830

23,024,228

15,072,756

9,674,910

7,999,557

6,769,380

5,827,956

5,793,463

5,071,853

4,669,907

3,724,884

3,670,257

3,265,154

3,046,537

2,833,268

2,783,064

2,681,746

2,544,863

2,383,476

430,776,091

154,538,533

585,314,624

2,571,104

587,885,728

52 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Distribution of Quoted Security Holders and security holdings as at 3 August 2009 

Ordinary Shares

Size of holding

1	–	99	shares	

100	–	199	shares	

200	–	499	shares	

500	–	999	shares	

1,000	–	1,999	shares	

2,000	–	4,999	shares	

5,000	–	9,999	shares	

10,000	–	49,999	shares	

50,000	–	99,999	shares	

100,000	–	499,999	shares	

500,000	–	999,999	shares	

1,000,000	shares	and	above

Total 

Number of holders

% of holders

Number of shares1 

% of shares

847

565

14,061

37,419

17,703

8,187

2,874

1,403

70

50

7

29

1.02

0.68

16.90

44.97

21.27

9.84

3.45

1.69

0.08

0.06

0.01

0.03

83,215

100.00

22,446

80,430

5,368,663

28,718,069

21,037,904

24,393,202

18,353,359

22,985,083

4,621,363

9,616,796

5,228,028

444,889,281

585,314,624

0.00

0.01

0.92

4.91

3.59

4.17

3.14

3.93

0.79

1.64

0.89

76.01

100.00

1		 Calculations	are	based	on	the	number	of	ordinary	shares	quoted	and	listed	on	the	New	Zealand	Stock	Market	as	at	3	August	2009	and	exclude	2,571,104	ordinary	

shares	held	as	treasury	stock	and	268,020	restricted	ordinary	shares	issued	pursuant	to	Contact’s	employee	long	term	incentive	scheme.

Bonds

Size of holding

5,000	–	10,000	bonds

10,001	–	25,000	bonds	

25,001	–	50,000	bonds

50,001	–	100,000	bonds

100,001	–	500,000	bonds

500,001	–	1,000,000	bonds

1,000,001	bonds	and	above

Total 

Number of holders

% of holders

Number of bonds

% of bonds

2,974

2,977

2,321

766

360

32

30

31.44

31.47

24.53

8.10

3.80

0.34

0.32

25,096,000

58,987,000

96,001,000

67,988,000

85,353,000

28,658,000

187,917,000

4.56

10.72

17.46

12.36

15.52

5.21

34.17

9,460

100.00

550,000,000

100.00

 
 
 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  53

Substantial security holders
As	at	1	August	2009,	the	following	persons	had	notified	the	company	in	accordance	with	the	Securities	Markets	
Act	1988	that	they	were	currently	substantial	security	holders	in	the	company.		 	

Substantial security holder

Origin	Energy	New	Zealand	Limited	and	its	related	bodies	corporate	(including	
Origin	Energy	Limited	and	Origin	Energy	Vic	Holdings	Limited)

Nature of relevant 
interest

Number of listed 
voting securities

Class

Shareholder

300,956,306

Ordinary	shares

The	total	number	of	shares	of	Contact	as	at	1	August	2009	was	588,153,748,	consisting	of	585,314,624	listed	
ordinary	shares,	2,571,104	ordinary	shares	held	as	treasury	stock	and	268,020	restricted	ordinary	shares	issued	
pursuant	to	the	Contact	Energy	employee	long	term	incentive	scheme	(the	treasury	stock	and	restricted	ordinary	
shares	are	not	tradeable	and	are	not	listed	or	quoted	on	the	NZSX).	The	ordinary	shares	and	restricted	ordinary	
shares	are	voting	securities,	except	the	trustee	holding	the	restricted	ordinary	shares	on	behalf	of	the	participants	
has	waived	all	voting	rights	in	relation	to	those	shares.	The	shares	held	as	treasury	stock	are	not	voting	securities.	
Accordingly,	the	total	number	of	listed	voting	securities	of	Contact	as	at	1	August	2009	was	585,314,624.

Securities of the company in which each director has a relevant interest as at 30 June 2009 

Director

G	King

P	Pryke

D	Baldwin

B Beeren

J	Milne

K	Moses

S	Sheldon

T	Saunders

Number of 
ordinary shares

Number of bonds

4,781

89,282

Nil

14,881

89,379

2,390

540

30,665

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

150,000

Nil

10,000

Nil

Number of 
restricted 
ordinary shares

N/A

N/A

Number of 
options

N/A

N/A

88,342

525,547

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Directors’ statement
This	Annual	Report	is	dated	4	September	2009	and	is	signed	on	behalf	of	the	Board	by

G King
Chairman

P Pryke
Deputy	Chairman

	
 
 
 
54 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  55

Financial Statements 

for the year ended 30 June 2009

Income Statement 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Balance Sheet 

Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the financial statements 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
  10 
  11 
  12 
  13 
  14 
  15 
  16 
  17 
  18 
  19 
  20 
  21 
  22 
  23 
  24 
  25 
  26 
  27 
  28 
  29 
  30 
  31 
  32 
  33 
  34 
  35 
  36 

Statement of accounting policies 
Underlying earnings after tax
Impairment of Gasbridge assets 
New Plymouth power station 
Sale of Mokai geothermal land and rights 
Segment reporting 
Operating expenses 
Net interest expense 
Income tax 
Distributions and dividends 
Earnings and net tangible assets per share 
Share capital 
Reserves 
Share-based payments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Receivables and prepayments 
Inventories 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Gas storage – cushion gas 
Investment in jointly controlled entity 
Investment in subsidiaries 
Investment in associates 
Available-for-sale financial assets 
Borrowings 
Financial instruments 
Payables and accruals 
Provisions 
Deferred tax 
Commitments 
Resource consents 
Related party transactions 
Key management personnel 
Whirinaki generation plant 
Contingent liabilities 
Subsequent events 

Audit report 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
56 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries

Income Statement for the year ended 30 June 2009

Operating revenue

Wholesale electricity revenue

Retail electricity revenue

Gas revenue

LPG revenue

Steam revenue

Other revenue

Operating expenses

Electricity purchases

Electricity transmission, distribution and levies

Gas purchases and transmission

LPG purchases

Labour costs

Other operating expenses

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

Note

 594,267 

 1,147,988 

 594,267 

 1,147,988 

 1,286,265 

 1,244,326 

 1,086,197 

 1,010,846 

 154,962 

 153,779 

 12,927 

 19,984 

 181,520 

 145,233 

 11,038 

 26,620 

 154,962 

 207,319 

 – 

 12,927 

 35,280 

 – 

 11,038 

 42,733 

 2,222,184 

 2,756,725 

 1,883,633 

 2,419,924 

 (544,234)

 (954,923)

 (477,501)

 (792,581)

 (479,122)

 (486,843)

 (412,519)

 (407,903)

 (399,533)

 (412,430)

 (400,804)

 (439,152)

 (112,078)

 (105,207)

 – 

 – 

7

3, 7

 (80,396)

 (82,191)

 (73,499)

 (70,531)

 (161,562)

 (147,967)

 (151,411)

 (129,694)

 (1,776,925)

 (2,189,561)

 (1,515,734)

 (1,839,861)

Earnings before net interest expense, income tax, depreciation, amortisation, 
financial instruments and other significant items (EBITDAF)

 445,259 

 567,164 

367,899 

 580,063 

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of Gasbridge assets

Equity accounted earnings of associates

Change in fair value of financial instruments

Removal of New Plymouth asbestos and related costs

Gain on sale of Mokai geothermal land and rights

Earnings before net interest expense and income tax (EBIT)

Net interest expense

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

18, 19

 (161,954)

 (146,540)

 (156,811)

 (141,400)

3

23

26

4

5

8

9

 (2,830)

 3,624 

 (57,511)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 2,793 

 (1,926)

 (33,747)

 21,319 

 – 

 – 

 (57,511)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (1,926)

 (33,747)

 21,319 

 (218,671)

 (158,101)

 (214,322)

 (155,754)

 226,588 

 (62,601)

 409,063 

 (69,942)

 153,577 

 (62,492)

 424,309 

 (69,851)

 163,987

 339,121 

 91,085 

 354,458 

 (46,451)

 (102,055)

 (27,497)

 (106,142)

 117,536 

 237,066 

 63,588 

 248,316 

Basic and diluted earnings per share (cents)

11 

 20.02 

 40.33 

 10.83 

 42.24 

Supplementary disclosure 
Underlying earnings after tax is presented to allow readers to make an assessment and comparison of underlying earnings after 
removing significant one-off items and the non-cash change in fair value of financial instruments. 

Underlying earnings after tax 

Underlying earnings per share (cents)

2

11 

160,624

232,798

108,991

243,980

 27.35 

 39.60 

 18.56 

 41.50 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  57

Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 June 2009

Profit for the year

Change in foreign currency translation reserve

Change in asset revaluation reserve

Change in cash flow hedge reserve

Total recognised revenues and expenses for the year

Distributions and dividends

Share-based payments

Share capital issued

Change in business combination of commonly controlled entities

Changes in equity for the year

Equity at start of the year

Equity at end of the year

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

Note

13 

13 

13 

10 

13 

12 

13

 117,536

 237,066 

 63,588 

 248,316 

 (86)

 (2,307)

 35,619 

 346 

 (2,335)

 (74,572)

 – 

 (2,307)

 35,495 

 – 

 (2,335)

 (75,008)

 150,762 

 160,505 

 96,776 

 170,973 

 (161,722)

 (161,458)

 (161,722)

 (161,458)

 362 

 48,795 

 – 

 467 

 285 

 93 

 362 

 48,795 

 – 

 467 

 285 

 93 

 38,197 

 (108)

 (15,789)

 10,360 

 2,904,071 

 2,904,179 

 2,878,112 

 2,867,752 

 2,942,268 

 2,904,071 

 2,862,323   

 2,878,112 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

58 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries

Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2009

Shareholders’ equity

Represented by:

Current assets

Cash and short term deposits

Receivables and prepayments

Tax receivable

Inventories

Derivative financial instruments

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Gas storage – cushion gas

Investment in subsidiaries

Investment in associates

Available-for-sale financial assets

Derivative financial instruments

Other non-current assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Borrowings

Current portion of term borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Payables and accruals

Tax payable

Provisions

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Provisions

Deferred tax

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

Note

12, 13

 2,942,268 

 2,904,071 

 2,862,323 

 2,878,112 

15

16

17

26

18

19

20

22

23

24

26

25

25

26

27

28

25

26

28

29

 179,220 

 253,836 

 – 

 15,906 

 14,987 

 2,542 

 517,365 

 162 

 21,111 

 52,940 

 177,848 

 224,786 

 – 

 6,600 

 14,987 

 – 

 488,987 

 662 

 7,014 

 52,940 

 463,949 

 594,120 

 424,221 

 549,603 

 4,644,973 

 4,381,600 

 4,568,630 

 4,309,769 

 252,159 

 46,252 

 214,552 

 23,622 

 193,525 

 155,918 

 46,252 

 23,622 

 – 

 8,687 

 2,935 

 6,597 

 5,987 

 – 

 132,788 

 132,788 

 8,015 

 2,935 

 13,554 

 2,945 

 1,579 

 – 

 6,597 

 5,987 

 1,579 

 – 

 13,554 

 2,945 

 4,967,590 

 4,647,223 

 4,955,358 

 4,640,175 

 5,431,539 

 5,241,343 

 5,379,579 

 5,189,778

 4,311 

 132,811 

 2,982 

 130,384 

 141,662 

 72,368 

 304,235 

 2,218 

 8,195 

 – 

 139,282 

 540,619 

 – 

 20,954 

 141,662 

 72,317 

 338,246 

 2,968 

 7,953 

 – 

 139,024 

 522,949 

 – 

 20,746 

 532,989

 833,666 

 566,128 

 813,103 

 1,091,106 

 554,725 

 1,091,066 

 85,905 

 33,750 

 744,092 

 1,429 

 194,925 

 33,618 

 718,462 

 1,876 

 85,905 

 32,116 

 741,238

 803 

 554,695 

 194,925 

 31,701 

 717,242 

 – 

 1,956,282 

 1,503,606 

 1,951,128

 1,498,563 

 2,489,271

 2,337,272

 2,517,256 

 2,311,666

 2,942,268 

 2,904,071 

 2,862,323 

 2,878,112 

The Directors of Contact Energy Limited authorised these financial statements for issue.

On behalf of the Board

Grant King 
Chairman, 13 August 2009 

Phillip Pryke
Deputy Chairman, 13 August 2009

 The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  59

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2009

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash provided from:

Receipts from customers

Dividends received

Cash applied to:

Payments to suppliers and employees

Supplementary dividends paid to shareholders

Tax paid

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

Note

 2,492,488 

 2,469,732 

 2,157,053 

 2,135,952 

 3,842 

 1,854 

 2,865 

 1,794 

 2,496,330 

 2,471,586 

 2,159,918 

 2,137,746 

 (2,035,904)

 (1,938,986)

 (1,712,259)

 (1,619,853)

 10 

 (10,776)

 (25,000)

 (16,790)

 (81,900)

 (10,776)

 (25,000)

 (16,790)

 (81,900)

 (2,071,680)

 (2,037,676)

 (1,748,035)

 (1,718,543)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

 424,650 

 433,910 

 411,883 

 419,203 

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash provided from:

Proceeds from sale of Mokai geothermal land and rights

5 

 – 

 27,252 

Interest received

Repayment of loan to investee

Loan from associate 

Cash applied to:

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of intangibles

New Plymouth asbestos removal and related costs

 4 

Purchase of gas storage rights

Purchase of cushion gas

Repayment of loan to associate

 4,961 

 – 

  80

 5,133 

 125 

 1,051 

 – 

 4,961 

 – 

 – 

 27,252 

 5,062 

 125 

 – 

 5,041 

 33,561 

 4,961 

 32,439 

 (385,715)

 (216,222)

 (372,982)

 (198,771)

 (25,750)

 (17,280)

–

 (41,271)

 (1,317)

 (1,357)

 (11,147)

 (28,457)

 – 

 – 

 (25,750)

 (17,280)

–

 (41,271)

 – 

 (1,357)

 (11,147)

 (28,457)

 – 

 – 

 (471,333)

 (257,183)

 (457,283)

 (239,732)

Net cash (outflow) to investing activities

 (466,292)

 (223,622)

 (452,322)

 (207,293)

Cash flows from financing activities

Cash provided from:

Proceeds from other short term loans

Proceeds from borrowings

Cash applied to:

Interest paid

Distributions and dividends paid to shareholders

Financing related costs

Profit distribution related costs

Repayment of borrowings

 11,024 

 550,000 

 6,846 

 11,024 

 6,846 

 127,500 

 550,000 

 127,500 

 561,024 

 134,346 

 561,024 

 134,346 

 (79,019)

 (75,057)

 (78,909)

 (75,036)

 (112,582)

 (161,458)

 (112,582)

 (161,458)

 (11,151)

 (432)

(150) 

 (11,151)

 – 

 (432)

(150) 

 – 

 – 

 (277,778)

 – 

 (277,778)

Repayment of other short term loans and finance lease liabilities

 (139,443)

 (7,349)

 (139,438)

 (7,338)

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from/to financing activities

 218,397 

 (387,446)

 218,512 

 (387,414)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Add: cash and cash equivalents at start of the year

 176,755 

 (177,158)

 178,073 

 (175,504)

 790 

 177,948 

 (2,184)

 173,320 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

 177,545 

 790 

 175,889 

 (2,184)

 (342,627)

 (521,792)

 (342,512)

 (521,760)

Cash and cash equivalents is comprised of:

Bank overdraft

Cash and short term deposits

 (1,675)

 179,220 

 (1,752)

 2,542 

 (1,959)

 177,848 

 (2,184)

 – 

 15 

 177,545 

 790 

 175,889 

 (2,184)

 The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 
60 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2009 (continued)

Reconciliation of profit for the year  
to cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the year

Items classified as investing/financing

Removal of New Plymouth asbestos and related costs

Proceeds from sale of Mokai geothermal land and rights

Net interest expense

Non-cash items

Bad and doubtful accounts receivable

Movement in provisions

Share-based payments

Write-off of advance to subsidiary

Impairment of Gasbridge assets

Depreciation and amortisation

Equity accounted (earnings) of associates net of dividends received

Change in fair value of financial instruments

Increase in deferred tax

Impact of change in corporate income tax rate

Other

Movement in working capital

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

Note

117,536

237,066

63,588

248,316

4

5

8

28

14

3, 7

3

18, 19

23

26

9, 29

9

–

–

62,601 

62,601

11,531

165

868

–

2,830

161,954

(739)

57,511

8,849

–

(2,872)

33,747

(21,319)

69,942

–

–

62,492 

33,747

(21,319)

69,851

82,370

 62,492 

82,279

5,954

917

933

–

–

9,431 

165 

868 

5,145

–

4,584

917

933

–

–

146,540

156,811 

141,400

(939)

1,926 

5,126 

(409)

(723)

–

57,511 

8,590 

–

(1,601)

–

1,926

3,767

(477)

200

240,097

159,325

 236,920 

153,250

Decrease/(increase) in receivables and prepayments

251,998

(288,044)

249,625 

(283,734)

Increase in tax payable

Decrease in inventories

(Decrease)/increase in payables and accruals

(Increase) in other non-current assets

2,567

5,205

1,555

227

3,817

414 

7,061

9,332

(252,312)

244,356

(201,931)

205,644

(3,042)

(2,945)

(3,042)

(2,945)

4,416

(44,851)

 48,883   

(64,642)

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

 424,650 

433,910

 411,883 

419,203

 The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 
Reconciliation of profit for the year  

to cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the year

Items classified as investing/financing

Removal of New Plymouth asbestos and related costs

Proceeds from sale of Mokai geothermal land and rights

Net interest expense

Non-cash items

Bad and doubtful accounts receivable

Movement in provisions

Share-based payments

Write-off of advance to subsidiary

Impairment of Gasbridge assets

Depreciation and amortisation

Change in fair value of financial instruments

Increase in deferred tax

Impact of change in corporate income tax rate

Other

Movement in working capital

Increase in tax payable

Decrease in inventories

(Decrease)/increase in payables and accruals

(Increase) in other non-current assets

Equity accounted (earnings) of associates net of dividends received

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

Note

$000

$000

$000

Group

Parent

Parent

Group

$000

117,536

237,066

63,588

248,316

82,370

 62,492 

82,279

4

5

8

28

14

3, 7

3

18, 19

23

26

9, 29

9

–

–

62,601 

62,601

11,531

165

868

–

2,830

161,954

(739)

57,511

8,849

–

(2,872)

33,747

(21,319)

69,942

5,954

917

933

–

–

(939)

1,926 

5,126 

(409)

(723)

–

–

–

–

–

62,492 

9,431 

165 

868 

5,145

57,511 

8,590 

(1,601)

33,747

(21,319)

69,851

4,584

917

933

–

–

–

1,926

3,767

(477)

200

146,540

156,811 

141,400

240,097

159,325

 236,920 

153,250

2,567

5,205

1,555

227

3,817

414 

7,061

9,332

(252,312)

244,356

(201,931)

205,644

(3,042)

(2,945)

(3,042)

(2,945)

4,416

(44,851)

 48,883   

(64,642)

Decrease/(increase) in receivables and prepayments

251,998

(288,044)

249,625 

(283,734)

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

 424,650 

433,910

 411,883 

419,203

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  61

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009  

1   Statement of accounting policies

Reporting entity
Contact Energy Limited (the Parent) is a profit-oriented company domiciled in New Zealand, registered under the Companies  
Act 1993 and listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZSX). It also has bonds listed on the New Zealand Debt Exchange 
(NZDX). The Parent is an issuer in terms of the Financial Reporting Act 1993. The Group financial statements of Contact Energy 
Limited as at, and for the year ended, 30 June 2009 comprise the Parent and its subsidiaries, interests in associates and jointly 
controlled entities (together referred to as Contact or the Group).

Contact is a diversified and integrated energy group, focusing on the wholesale generation of electricity and the retail sale of 
electricity, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and related services in New Zealand.

Basis of preparation
The functional and reporting currency used in the preparation of the financial statements is New Zealand dollars, rounded to the 
nearest thousand ($000).

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with New Zealand Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (NZGAAP). 
They comply with the New Zealand Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZIFRS), and other applicable 
Financial Reporting Standards, as appropriate for profit-oriented entities. The financial statements comply with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors (the Board) on 13 August 2009.

The measurement basis adopted in the preparation of these financial statements is historical cost modified by the valuation of 
certain assets and liabilities. The following assets and liabilities are stated at their fair value: derivative financial instruments  
and property, plant and equipment, as identified in the specific accounting policies below. Recognised assets and liabilities that 
are hedged in a fair value hedging relationship are stated at fair value in respect of the risk that is hedged.

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these financial statements. 

Presentational changes have been made to the Statement of Cash Flows to allow stakeholders to make an assessment of proceeds 
from and repayments of borrowings and to identify the cash outflow for purchase of intangible assets. These changes, which have 
been applied retrospectively, relate to:

•  

•  

•  

reclassification of ‘proceeds from other short term loans’ from ‘proceeds from borrowings’,

reclassification of ‘repayment of other short term loans and finance lease liabilities’ from ‘repayment of borrowings’,

 reclassification of ‘purchase of intangibles’ from ‘purchase of property, plant and equipment’.

Certain presentational changes have been made to the Balance Sheet, Income Statement and related notes to ensure consistency 
with current year treatment. These changes, which have been applied retrospectively, are listed below:

•  

•  

•  

 presentation of derivative financial instruments – individual derivative financial assets and financial liabilities are offset  
where there is a legally enforceable right to set-off the recognised amounts and there is the intention to settle simultaneously. 
In addition the current and non-current split of derivative financial instruments has been amended to reflect the timing of the 
underlying cash flows rather than the contractual maturity dates of the instruments,

certain deferred financing costs have been reclassified from ‘other non-current assets’ to ‘borrowings’,

reclassification of certain fee income from ‘other operating expenses’ to ‘other income’.

Adoption status of relevant new financial reporting standards and interpretations
Contact has chosen to early adopt the revised NZIAS 23 Borrowing Costs, NZIAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements 
(amended), NZIFRS 3 Business Combinations and Amendments to NZIAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement – 
Eligible Hedged Items.

Contact has elected not to early adopt the following standards, considered relevant to the financial statements, which have been 
issued but are not yet effective:

•  

•  

 NZIFRS 2 Share-Based Payment – revisions approved February 2008 and effective for annual reporting periods beginning on 
or after 1 January 2009.

 NZIFRS 8 Operating Segments – approved December 2006 and effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2009.

62 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

•  

•  

• 

• 

 NZIAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements – revisions approved September 2007 and effective for annual reporting periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2009.

 NZIAS 27 Cost of an Investment in a Subsidiary, Jointly Controlled Entity or Associate – amendment approved June 2008 and 
effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009.

 NZIFRS 7 Amendment: Financial Instruments Disclosures – amendment issued March 2009 and effective for annual reporting 
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009.

 NZIAS 39 Amendment: Embedded Derivatives – amendment issued March 2009 and effective for annual reporting periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2009. 

Contact does not currently intend to early adopt any of these standards before their effective date. The adoption of these 
standards is not expected to have a material impact on the recognition and measurement of Contact’s assets, liabilities,  
income and expenses.

Accounting estimates and judgements
Contact’s significant areas of estimation and critical judgements in these financial statements are as follows:

Financial instruments
Note 26 contains information about the assumptions and the risk factors relating to financial instruments and their valuation. 
The base future settlement price path for electricity derivatives is derived from the energy hedge market price path overlaid  
with Contact’s financial model for future electricity prices. Accounting judgements have been made in determining the hedge 
designation for the different types of derivatives employed by Contact to hedge its risk exposures. 

Generation plant and equipment
Contact’s generation plant and equipment (including land and buildings) and generation capital work in progress are stated  
at fair value as assessed by an independent valuer. The basis of the valuation is the net present value of the future earnings  
of the assets, excluding any reduction for costs associated with restoration and environmental rehabilitation. The major inputs  
and assumptions used in the valuation model that require judgement include the forecast of the future electricity price path, 
sales volume forecasts, projected operational and capital expenditure profiles, capacity and life assumptions for each generation 
plant and the relevant discount rates. The key inputs and assumptions are reassessed at each balance sheet date between 
valuations to ensure there has been no significant change that may impact on the valuation. Refer to note 18.

Intangible assets – gas storage rights
Management has exercised judgement in determining the useful life of the gas storage rights. The useful life has been based  
on the current assumption of the period over which future economic benefits are expected. This life, however, is subject to the 
assumption that the contractual agreement under which the rights were acquired continues in existence and that any petroleum 
mining or other permit that may be required, can be successfully renewed. The useful life is reviewed annually. Refer to  
note 19.

Intangible assets – goodwill
The carrying value of goodwill is subject to an annual impairment test to ensure the carrying value does not exceed the 
recoverable amount at balance sheet date. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the individual 
cash-generating units to which it relates. Any impairment losses are recognised in the Income Statement.

In determining the recoverable amount of goodwill, Contact uses a valuation model to calculate the net present value of the 
expected future cash flows of the cash-generating units. The major inputs and assumptions that are used in the model that 
require management judgement include sales forecasts, cost to serve, customer numbers and customer churn, interest rates, 
discount rates and a forecast of the future electricity price path. Refer to note 19.

Provision – restoration and environmental rehabilitation
Liabilities are estimated for the abandonment and site restoration of areas from which natural resources are extracted. Such 
estimates are valued at the net present value of the expenditures expected to settle the obligation. Key assumptions have been 
made as to the expected amount and timing of expenditures to remediate based on the expected life of the assets employed on 
the sites. Refer to note 28.

Retail revenue
Management has exercised judgement in determining estimated retail sales for unread gas and electricity meters at balance 
sheet date. Specifically, this involves an estimate of consumption for each unread meter, based on the customer’s past 
consumption history. 

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  63

Useful life of property, plant and equipment and finite life intangible assets
Management has exercised judgement in determining the useful life of the property, plant and equipment and finite life intangible 
assets. Useful lives are reviewed and, where appropriate, adjusted at each balance sheet date.

Basis of consolidation

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are those entities controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Parent. The purchase method of accounting is used to 
account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Parent. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities 
assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent  
of any minority interest. The excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Parent’s share of the identifiable net 
assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of an acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary 
acquired, the difference is recognised directly in the Income Statement.

Business combinations of commonly controlled entities
Business combinations involving entities or businesses under common control are those in which all of the combining entities  
or businesses are ultimately controlled by the same party or parties both before and after the business combination. 

Assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations of commonly controlled entities are measured initially at acquisition 
date at the book value of the acquired entities. Any difference between the cost of acquisition and the book values of the assets 
and liabilities acquired is recorded directly in equity against retained earnings. 

Associates
Associates are entities in which Contact has significant influence, but not control, over the operating and/or financial policies. 
Associates are reflected in the Group financial statements by applying the equity accounting method. The equity accounting 
method recognises Contact’s share of the current period retained surpluses or deficits in the Group Income Statement and its 
share of post acquisition increases or decreases in net assets in the Group Balance Sheet. 

Jointly controlled assets and jointly controlled entities
Jointly controlled assets and jointly controlled entities are joint arrangements with other parties in which Contact jointly  
controls or owns one or more asset or entity and is consequently entitled to a share of the future economic benefits through its 
share of the jointly controlled asset or entity. Contact’s share of the assets, liabilities, outputs (revenues) and expenses of jointly 
controlled assets or entities is incorporated into the Group financial statements on a proportionate line-by-line basis. 

Acquisition or disposal during the period
Where an entity becomes or ceases to be part of the Group during the period, the results of that entity are included in the Group 
results from the date of acquisition or up to the date of disposal.

Transactions and balances eliminated on consolidation
The effects of intra-group transactions and balances are eliminated in preparing the Group financial statements.

Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less attributed transaction costs and are subsequently stated at amortised cost. 

Borrowings designated in a hedge relationship are carried at fair value and are subject to measurement under hedge accounting 
requirements. Refer to the accounting policy for derivative financial instruments and hedging.

Discounts, premiums, prepaid interest and financing costs such as origination, commitment and transaction fees are amortised to 
interest expense on a yield-to-maturity basis over the period of the borrowing. Any difference between the cost and redemption 
value is recognised in the Income Statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

All borrowing costs are recognised in the Income Statement using the effective interest method with the exception of borrowing 
costs directly associated with the acquisition or construction of qualifying assets, which are capitalised. Refer to the accounting 
policies on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held on call with banks and other short term highly liquid investments 
with original maturities of three months or less, net of outstanding bank overdrafts. 

Cash and short term deposits exclude bank overdrafts. 

Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the Balance Sheet.

64 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Derivative financial instruments and hedging
Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and  
are periodically re-measured at their fair value. The method of recognising the resulting gain or loss depends on whether  
the derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedging instrument and, if so, the nature of the item being hedged.  
Contact designates certain derivative financial instruments as either: 

•   hedges of the fair value of recognised assets or liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value hedge), or

•   hedges of highly probable forecast transactions (cash flow hedge), or

•   hedges of net investments in foreign operations (net investment hedge).

Fair value hedge
Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded  
in the Income Statement, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the 
hedged risk. 

Cash flow hedge
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and qualify as cash  
flow hedges are recognised in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the  
Income Statement.

Amounts accumulated in equity are recycled to the Income Statement in the year when the hedged item will affect the Income 
Statement. However, when the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset (for example, 
inventory) or a liability, the gains and losses previously deferred in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial 
measurement of the cost of the asset or liability.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or the entity revokes designation of the hedge 
relationship such that the derivative financial instrument no longer qualifies for hedge accounting, but the hedged forecast 
transaction is still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss at that point remains in equity and is recognised in accordance 
with the above policy when the transaction occurs. If the hedged transaction is no longer expected to take place, the cumulative 
unrealised gain or loss recognised in equity is recognised immediately in the Income Statement. 

Net investment hedge
Hedges of net investments in foreign operations are accounted for similarly to cash flow hedges. Any gain or loss on the hedging 
instrument relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognised in equity, and the gain or loss relating to the ineffective 
portion is recognised immediately in the Income Statement. Gains and losses accumulated in equity are included in the Income 
Statement when the foreign operation is disposed of.

Derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Certain derivative financial instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of any derivative financial 
instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised immediately in the Income Statement.

Employee benefits
Annual, long service and retirement leave benefits estimated to be payable to employees are accounted for on the basis of 
statutory and contractual requirements.

Long term service benefits
Contact’s net obligation in respect of long term service benefits, other than pension plans, is the amount of future benefit  
that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. The obligation is calculated using an 
actuarial technique. 

Share-based payments
Share-based payments are provided to executives via a Share Option Plan and a Restricted Share Plan. 

The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the options and restricted shares is recognised as  
an expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the vesting period during which the employees become unconditionally 
entitled to the options and restricted shares.

The fair value is measured at grant date by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted, taking into account 
market performance conditions only. Non-market vesting conditions are included in the assumptions determining the number  
of options and restricted shares that are expected to become exercisable or vest. 

At each balance sheet date, Contact revises the amount to be recognised as an expense to reflect the number of options and 
restricted shares that are expected to become exercisable or vest.

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  65

Exploration and evaluation expenditure
Exploration and evaluation expenditure is accounted for in accordance with the area of interest method. The application of  
this method is based on the partial capitalisation model closely aligned to the successful efforts approach.

All exploration and evaluation costs, including directly attributable overheads, general permit activity, geological and 
geophysical costs are expensed as incurred except the cost of drilling exploration wells and the cost of acquiring new interests. 
The costs of drilling exploration wells are initially capitalised as development capital work in progress pending the determination 
of the success of the area. Costs are expensed where the area of interest does not result in a successful discovery.

Exploration and evaluation expenditure is partially or fully capitalised where either:

•  

•  

 the expenditure is expected to be recouped through successful development and exploration of the area of interest  
(or alternatively, by its sale), or 

 the exploration and evaluation activities in the area of interest have not, at the balance sheet date, reached a stage  
that permits a reasonable assessment of the existence or otherwise of economically recoverable reserves, and active  
and significant operations in, or in relation to, the area of interest are continuing.

Capitalised costs are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether economic quantities of reserves have been  
found or whether further exploration and evaluation work is underway or planned to support the continued carry forward of  
the capitalised costs. Exploration and evaluation expenditure is impaired in the Income Statement under the successful efforts 
method of accounting in the period that exploration work demonstrates that an area of interest is no longer prospective for 
economically recoverable reserves or when the decision to abandon an area of interest is made. 

Foreign currencies
Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the exchange rates in effect at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and 
monetary liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at balance sheet date. 
Non-monetary assets and non-monetary liabilities denominated in a foreign currency that are measured at fair value are 
translated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at the date that the fair value was determined.

Hedged assets and liabilities are translated at the spot rate with the underlying hedge contract being separately recorded on  
the Balance Sheet at fair value.

Group entities
The results and financial position of all Group entities (none of which have a currency of a hyperinflationary economy) that  
have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

• 

• 

• 

income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates,

assets and liabilities are translated at the closing exchange rate at the date of that Balance Sheet,

all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a separate component of equity.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign entities, and of borrowings 
and other foreign currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are taken to the foreign currency translation 
reserve account. When a foreign operation is sold, such exchange differences are recognised in the Income Statement as part of 
the gain or loss on sale.

Gas entitlements
Where Contact has take-or-pay gas sale contracts, such receipts are recorded as current or non-current liabilities respectively, 
depending on the contracted terms applicable to such tranche quantities. These liabilities are credited to the Income Statement 
as customers uplift their prepaid gas.

Where Contact has take-or-pay gas purchase contracts, such payments are expensed to the Income Statement in the month the 
payment obligation crystallises, or as Contact uplifts the gas, depending on the contracted terms.

Gas storage – cushion gas
Cushion gas is necessary to develop and maintain operation of a gas storage facility and represents a long term investment in 
natural gas reserves. Cushion gas is recognised at cost and not depreciated on the basis that it is economically recoverable at  
the end of the life of the gas storage facility. The carrying amount is reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether 
there is any objective evidence of impairment. Refer to the impairment accounting policy. Gas reserves in excess of that required 
for cushion gas are treated as inventory.

66 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Generation and other research and development expenditure
Expenditure on research activities undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and 
understanding is recognised in the Income Statement as an expense as incurred. 

Expenditure on generation and other development activities is capitalised if the process is technically and commercially  
feasible, future economic benefits are probable and Contact intends to and has sufficient resources to complete development  
and to use or sell the asset. The expenditure capitalised includes the cost of materials, direct labour and an appropriate 
proportion of directly attributable overheads and capitalised interest. 

Capital work in progress is reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether further work is planned to support the 
continued carrying value of the capitalised costs.

Upon the commencement of commercial operations, assets are transferred from capital work in progress and depreciated in 
accordance with the relevant accounting policy for each asset over the period of its expected economic benefit.

Goods and services tax (GST)
The Income Statement and Statement of Cash Flows have been prepared so that all components are stated exclusive of GST.  
All items in the Balance Sheet are stated net of GST, with the exception of receivables and payables, which include GST.

Impairment
The carrying amounts of Contact’s assets, other than inventories and deferred tax assets, are reviewed at each balance sheet  
date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s net recoverable  
amount is estimated. An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit 
exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the Income Statement unless the asset is recorded at a 
revalued amount. Impairment losses on revalued assets are first taken to the asset revaluation reserve if there is a revaluation 
surplus in respect of that asset.

The recoverable amount of receivables is calculated as the present value of expected future cash flows.

For retail receivables that are not significant on an individual basis, collective impairment is assessed on a portfolio basis,  
based on historic delinquency rates and historical losses.

The recoverable amount of other assets is the greater of their net selling price and value in use. In assessing value in use,  
the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their net present value using a discount rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely 
independent cash flows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Insurance
Contact has property, plant and equipment, which is predominantly concentrated at power station locations that have the 
potential to sustain major physical losses through damage to plant with resultant consequential business interruption and  
other costs.

To minimise the financial impact of such exposures, the major portion of these risks are insured by taking out appropriate 
insurance policies with appropriate creditworthy counterparties.

Any uninsured loss is charged to the Income Statement in the year in which the loss is incurred.

Intangible assets

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of Contact’s share of the net identifiable assets  
of the acquired subsidiary/associate at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on the acquisition of subsidiaries is included in 
intangible assets. Goodwill on the acquisition of associates is included in investments in associates. Goodwill is tested annually 
for impairment and is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include 
the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the individual cash-generating unit to which it relates.  
Each cash-generating unit represents Contact’s lowest level of assets generating revenue independent of each other.

Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets with finite lives are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. 
Amortisation is charged to the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets from 
the date they are available for use. In the case of the gas storage rights, this will be when the gas storage facility is operational.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  67

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

The amortisation rates are as follows:

Type of asset 
Computer software 
Gas storage rights 
Patents 

Amortisation rate
10–33%
4%
10%

Asset residual values and useful lives are reviewed annually and adjusted if appropriate. 

Borrowing costs incurred on the construction or acquisition of a qualifying asset project are capitalised during the period of  
time that is required to complete and prepare the intangible asset for its intended use. The amount of borrowing costs capitalised  
is determined using either the actual borrowing costs incurred, where qualifying assets have been specifically project funded,  
less any investment income from the temporary investment of those borrowings, or a capitalisation rate representing Contact’s 
weighted average borrowing cost applicable to the general borrowings (excluding any specific borrowings) that were outstanding 
during the period. Costs cease to be capitalised as soon as the intangible asset is ready for use or production is temporarily 
suspended, and do not include any inefficiency costs. 

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of materials, consumable supplies and maintenance 
spares is determined on a weighted average basis. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of 
business, less applicable variable selling expenses. Gas reserves in excess of that required for cushion gas are treated as 
inventory. Refer to the gas storage – cushion gas accounting policy.

Investments – financial instruments
Contact classifies its investments in the following categories:

• 

• 

• 

financial assets at fair value through the Income Statement,

held-to-maturity financial assets, or 

available-for-sale financial assets. 

The classification depends on the purpose for which the investments were acquired. Management determines the classification  
of its investments at initial recognition and re-evaluates this designation at each balance sheet date.

Purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the trade date.

When financial assets are initially recognised, they are measured at fair value plus, in the case of financial assets not at fair value 
through the Income Statement, directly attributable transaction costs.

Financial assets at fair value through the Income Statement
A financial asset is classified as a financial asset at fair value through the Income Statement if it is acquired principally for the 
purpose of selling in the short term or if so designated by management. Derivatives are also categorised as fair value through the 
Income Statement unless they are designated as hedges. Assets in this category are classified as current assets if they are either 
held for trading or are expected to be realised within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

Subsequent to initial recognition, financial assets at fair value through the Income Statement are measured at fair value, with 
changes in fair value recognised immediately in the Income Statement.

Held-to-maturity financial assets
Held-to-maturity financial assets are stated at amortised cost less impairment losses.

Available-for-sale financial assets
Investments in unlisted shares are classified as being available-for-sale and are stated at fair value, with any resultant gain  
or loss being recognised directly in equity, except for impairment losses and foreign exchange gains and losses, which are 
recognised in the Income Statement. If the fair value of an unlisted equity instrument cannot be reliably determined, the 
investment is held at cost. When these investments are derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised  
directly in equity is recognised in the Income Statement. 

Operating leases
Contact leases certain plant, equipment, land and buildings. Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards  
of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases.

Operating lease payments are representative of the pattern of benefits derived from the leased assets and, accordingly,  
are charged to the Income Statement on a straight-line basis.

 
 
68 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Other revenue

Dividend income
Dividend income is recognised in the Income Statement on the date that the dividend is declared.

Interest income
Interest income is recognised in the Income Statement as it accrues using the effective interest rate method.

Payables
Payables are stated at cost.

Property, plant and equipment
Contact’s generation plant and equipment and generation capital work in progress are stated at fair value less accumulated 
depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. All other property, plant and equipment are carried at historical cost less 
accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

The cost of purchased property, plant and equipment, including strategic spares, is the value of the consideration given to 
acquire the assets and the value of other directly attributable costs that have been incurred in bringing the assets to the location 
and condition necessary for their intended service. 

The cost of assets constructed by Contact, including capital work in progress, includes the cost of all materials used in 
construction, direct labour specifically associated with construction, resource management consent costs and an appropriate 
proportion of directly attributable variable and fixed overheads. Borrowing costs incurred on the construction of a qualifying 
asset project are capitalised during the period of time that is required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use.  
The amount of borrowing costs capitalised is determined using either the actual borrowing costs incurred, where qualifying 
assets have been specifically project funded, less any investment income from the temporary investment of those borrowings,  
or a capitalisation rate representing Contact’s weighted average borrowing cost applicable to the general borrowings (excluding 
any specific borrowings) that were outstanding during the period. Costs cease to be capitalised as soon as the asset is ready for 
productive use, or the development is suspended, and do not include any inefficiency costs. 

Where an item of property, plant and equipment comprises major components having different useful lives, they are accounted 
for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised where it is incurred to replace a component of an item of property, plant and equipment 
that is accounted for separately, including major inspection and overhaul expenditure. Other subsequent expenditure is 
capitalised only when it is probable the future economic benefits embodied in the item of property, plant and equipment  
will flow to the entity and can be reliably measured. All other expenditure is recognised in the Income Statement as an expense 
as incurred.

Revaluations
Contact’s generation plant and equipment (including land and buildings) and capital work in progress are stated at fair value  
as determined every three years by an independent valuer, with interim revaluations where there is deemed to be a significant 
change to the valuation of these assets. The basis of the valuation is the net present value of the future earnings of the assets, 
excluding any reduction for costs associated with restoration and environmental rehabilitation.

Any accumulated depreciation at the date of revaluation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount and the net carrying 
amount is restated to the revalued amount of the asset. Any increase in value is recognised directly in equity. Any decrease  
in value that offsets a previous increase in value of the same asset is charged against reserves in equity and any other decrease  
in value is charged to the Income Statement. 

Leased assets
Leases in which Contact assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Any asset 
acquired by the way of a finance lease is stated at an amount equal to the lower of its fair value or net present value of the future 
minimum lease payments at inception of the lease.

Depreciation
Depreciation is charged to the Income Statement on a straight-line basis so as to allocate the cost of the assets, or the revalued 
amounts, less estimated residual value, over their expected remaining useful lives. The range of annual depreciation rates for 
each class of asset is as follows:

Type of asset 
Land    
Generation plant and equipment (including buildings) 
Other buildings   
Other plant and equipment  

Depreciation rate
Not depreciated
1–33%
1–18%
1–33%

Asset residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  69

Receivables
Receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method, less impairment loss. An impairment loss is recognised when there is objective evidence that Contact will not be able  
to collect amounts due according to the original terms of the receivable. The amount of the impairment loss is the difference 
between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the effective interest 
rate. The amount of the impairment loss is recognised in the Income Statement.

Restoration and environmental rehabilitation
Liabilities are estimated for the abandonment and site restoration of areas from which natural resources are extracted. Such 
estimates are valued at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation. The cost primarily 
represents geothermal field restorations.

Estimations are also made for the expected cost of environmental rehabilitation of commercial sites that require reinstatement  
of conditions resulting from present obligations. The liability is immediately recognised when exposure is identified and 
rehabilitation costs can be reasonably estimated.

Revenue
Revenue comprises the amounts received and receivable at balance sheet date for electricity, gas, LPG, steam and related 
services supplied to customers in the ordinary course of business, including estimated amounts for unread meters. Sales revenue 
is recognised in accordance with contractual arrangements, where applicable, and only once the significant risks and rewards  
of ownership of the goods passes from Contact to the customer or when services have been rendered to the customer and 
collection is reasonably assured.

Other revenue from meter leases is recognised in the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. 

Share capital
Ordinary and restricted shares are classified as share capital. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares 
are shown in equity as a deduction from the proceeds.

Where the Parent purchases its own equity share capital (treasury stock), the consideration paid, including any directly 
attributable incremental costs, is deducted from equity attributable to equity holders until the shares are cancelled or re-issued. 
Where such shares are subsequently re-issued, any consideration received, net of any directly attributable incremental 
transaction costs are included in equity.

Statement of Cash Flows
The following are the definitions used in the Statement of Cash Flows:

•  

 cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held on call with banks and other short term highly liquid 
investments with original maturities of three months or less, net of outstanding bank overdrafts,

•   operating activities include all transactions and other events that are not investing or financing activities, 

•  

•  

 investing activities are those activities relating to the acquisition, holding and disposal of property, plant and equipment, 
intangible assets and investments,

 financing activities are those activities that result in changes in the size and composition of the capital structure of Contact. 
This includes both equity and debt not falling within the definition of cash. Dividends and interest paid in relation to the 
capital structure are included in financing activities.

Cash flows arising from the following operating, investing or financing activities may be reported on a net basis: 

•  

 cash receipts and payments on behalf of customers where the cash flows reflect the activities of the customer rather than 
those of Contact, or 

•  

cash receipts and payments for financing activities where the maturities are short.

Tax 
Income tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the Income 
Statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case the income tax is recognised  
in equity. 

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the period, using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted  
at the balance sheet date, together with any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

70 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Deferred tax is calculated using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following 
temporary differences are not provided for: goodwill not deductible for tax purposes, the initial recognition of assets or liabilities 
that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they 
will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of 
realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the 
balance sheet date.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which 
the asset can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit 
will be realised. 

Changes in accounting policies
There have been no changes in accounting policies in the year other than the addition of a policy on share capital.

2  Underlying earnings after tax

Underlying earnings after tax for the year is presented to allow stakeholders to make an assessment and comparison of 
underlying earnings after removing significant one-off items and the non-cash change in fair value of financial instruments.

Profit for the year

 117,536 

 237,066 

 63,588 

 248,316 

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

Note

Change in fair value of financial instruments

Removal of New Plymouth asbestos and related costs

Impairment of Gasbridge assets

Write-off of advance to subsidiaries*

Gain on sale of Mokai geothermal land and rights

Gain on disposal of fuel oil reserves**

Adjustments before income tax

Income tax expense***

Adjustments after income tax

Underlying earnings after tax

26

4

3

3

5

4

 57,511 

 – 

 2,830 

 –

 – 

 – 

 1,926 

 33,747 

 – 

 –

 (21,319)

 (9,613)

 57,511 

 – 

 – 

5,145

 – 

 – 

 60,341 

 4,741 

 62,656 

 (17,253)

 (9,009)

 (17,253)

 43,088 

 (4,268)

 45,403 

 1,926 

 33,747 

–

 –

 (21,319)

 (9,613)

 4,741 

 (9,077)

 (4,336)

 160,624

 232,798 

 108,991 

 243,980 

*   Write-off of advance to subsidiaries is included in other operating expenses, a component of EBITDAF.

**  Gain on disposal of fuel oil reserves is included in other revenue, a component of EBITDAF.  

***   Tax has been applied at 30 per cent (2008: 33 per cent) on relevant items.

3  Impairment of Gasbridge assets

During the year Contact and Genesis Power Limited decided to put on hold development of the land based liquefied natural gas 
(LNG) terminal. As a result of this decision, Contact has written off its share of the assets of the Gasbridge Joint Venture relating 
to the previously planned onshore LNG storage and land based regasification facility. An impairment loss of $2.8 million has 
been taken to the Income Statement relating to this write-off.

As a result of this decision, the Parent has written off an amount of $5.1 million receivable from its subsidiary Contact Aria 
Limited in relation to its investment in the Gasbridge Joint Venture.

 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  71

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

4  New Plymouth power station 

In December 2007, Contact announced the decommissioning of its 31-year-old New Plymouth power station following the 
discovery of asbestos in areas of the station where it was not previously recorded on the station’s asbestos register. In May 2008, 
Contact announced the temporary recommissioning of one 100 megawatt gas-fired generator unit in response to tight electricity 
supply conditions over the winter period. In January 2009, this unit was decommissioned. 

The financial impact of the decision to decommission the plant was recorded in the year ended 30 June 2008 and was an expense 
of $33.7 million. This expense principally represented an estimate of the cost to remove asbestos at the plant and other related 
costs, including a $1.5 million write-down in inventory. These costs were not impacted by the partial recommissioning and 
remain consistent with the estimated cost as at 30 June 2009. No impairment of the New Plymouth asset has been recorded on 
the basis that the recoverable amount of the asset, based on an assessed fair value less cost to sell, exceeds the carrying amount. 
Following the decommissioning, the New Plymouth asset has been transferred from generation plant and equipment to other land 
and buildings at 30 June 2009. Refer to note 18. 

Contact held reserves of fuel oil at New Plymouth. These reserves were sold for $20.3 million, and a gain on disposal of  
$9.6 million was recorded in other revenue during the year ended 30 June 2008.

Contact has entered into derivative arrangements in the wholesale electricity market that are expected to provide a broadly 
equivalent degree of flexibility to that provided by the operation of the New Plymouth power station. These are accounted for  
as cash flow hedges. 

5  Sale of Mokai geothermal land and rights

In November 2007, Contact sold geothermal land and rights relating to the Mokai geothermal field, north of Taupo, to Mighty 
River Power and the Tuaropaki Trust. Contact received $27.2 million for the sale of the Mokai land and rights, giving rise to a 
non-taxable gain of $21.3 million.

6   Segment reporting

A business segment is a group of assets and operations engaged in providing products or services that are subject to risks and 
returns that are different from those of other business segments. A geographical segment is engaged in providing products or 
services in a particular economic environment, where the risks and returns are different from those of segments operating in 
other economic environments.

Contact’s primary reporting format is business segments. All business segments are fully integrated within New Zealand.

Contact comprises the following main business segments:

Retail
The retail segment encompasses any activity that is associated with Contact’s supply of energy and related services to end  
user customers. 

Generation
The generation segment encompasses any activity that is associated with Contact’s generation of electricity or steam and 
Contact’s sales to the wholesale electricity market. It includes all activities in relation to the gas storage facility at the Ahuroa 
reservoir, including the cushion gas required to enable the field to be used for storage. 

The segment result includes items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. 
Items not directly attributable to, or those that cannot be allocated on a reasonable basis to, the retail or generation segments 
are included in the other segment.

Wholesale electricity purchase costs for the retail segment are based on spot prices prevailing in the New Zealand wholesale 
electricity market at the relevant time and at the relevant grid exit purchase node. Similarly, the revenues received by the 
generation segment are determined by the spot prices received at the relevant grid injection points. 

The cost of gas purchases across the portfolio is allocated between these segments in proportion to consumption.  
Gas transmission and distribution charges are allocated to the segments within which they are incurred.

72 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Group
2009

Segment revenue

EBITDAF

Depreciation and amortisation of segment assets

Segment result

Change in fair value of financial instruments

Equity accounted earnings of associates

Impairment of Gasbridge assets

Net interest expense

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Capital and investment expenditure

Group
2008

Segment revenue

EBITDAF

Depreciation and amortisation of segment assets

Segment result

Change in fair value of financial instruments

Equity accounted earnings of associates

Removal of New Plymouth asbestos and related costs

Gain on sale of Mokai geothermal land and rights

Net interest expense

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Capital and investment expenditure

Retail
$000

Generation
$000

Other
$000

Total
$000

1,610,926

611,258

 – 

 2,222,184 

236,857

208,402

(19,768)

(142,186)

217,089

66,216

–

–

–

445,259

(161,954)

283,305

(57,511)

3,624

(2,830)

(62,601)

(46,451)

 117,536

515,649

148,806

43,451

4,713,575

202,315

 5,431,539 

195,117

445,384

2,145,348

 2,489,271

–

 488,835 

Retail
$000

Generation
$000

Other
$000

Total
$000

1,582,975

1,173,750

 – 

 2,756,725 

(278,254)

845,418

(20,264)

(126,276)

(298,518)

719,142

–

–

–

567,164

(146,540)

420,624

(1,926)

2,793

(33,747)

21,319

(69,942)

(102,055)

 237,066 

485,523

375,996

4,689,120

66,700

 5,241,343 

221,276

1,740,000

 2,337,272

 27,609 

 254,343 

 – 

 281,952 

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

7   Operating expenses

Other operating expenses include:

Auditors’ remuneration 

– Audit services: KPMG*

– Other assurance services: KPMG*

Auditors’ remuneration: KPMG

Donations

Write-off of advance to subsidiaries**

Write-off of accounts receivable

Provision for impairment of accounts receivable

Rental expense on operating leases

Labour costs include:

Contributions to KiwiSaver

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  73

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 691 

 35 

 726 

 94 

–

 7,568 

 2,431 

 5,969 

 683 

 – 

 683 

 56 

–

 3,985 

 304 

 5,506 

 649 

 35 

 684 

 94 

 5,145 

 5,969 

 1,945 

 4,358 

 612 

– 

 612 

 56 

–

 3,005 

 280 

 3,903 

 1,475

 238

 1,475

 238

*  

 In addition, KPMG charged $186,000 for additional audit services and $28,000 for other assurance services in relation  
to the debt prospectus for the retail bond issue. These amounts have been included in the transaction costs of the retail  
bond issue.

**    During the year, Contact wrote off an advance to a subsidiary in relation to its investment in the Gasbridge Joint Venture, 

following the decision to put on hold the development of the liquefied natural gas terminal. Refer to note 3.

8   Net interest expense

Interest expense

Interest expense capitalised

Interest income

Net interest expense

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 89,860 

 (21,473)

 (5,786)

 76,687 

 (1,617)

 (5,128)

 89,685 

 (21,473)

 (5,720)

 76,525 

 (1,617)

 (5,057)

 62,601 

 69,942 

 62,492 

 69,851 

Contact commenced capitalising interest from 1 July 2007. The weighted average capitalisation rate on funds borrowed is  
7.1 per cent per annum (2008: 8.0 per cent).

74 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

9   Income tax

Income tax expense 

Profit before income tax

Tax thereon at 30% (2008: 33%)

Plus/(less) tax effect of adjustments:

Effect of different tax rates of associate operating in other jurisdiction

Gain on sale of Mokai geothermal land and rights

Temporary differences no longer expected to reverse

Other differences

Change in corporate income tax rate

Income tax (over)/under provided in prior year

Income tax expense

Comprised of:

Current tax

Deferred tax

Imputation credits

Opening balance credit

Imputation credits attached to dividends paid

Imputation credits attached to dividends received

New Zealand income tax paid

Closing balance credit 

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

163,987

339,121

49,196

111,910

91,085

27,326

354,458

116,971

 – 

 – 

 21 

 456 

 – 

 (83)

 (7,035)

 47 

 414 

 (409)

 (3,222)

 (2,789)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,055 

 – 

 (884)

 – 

 (7,035)

 – 

 (535)

 (477)

 (2,782)

 46,451 

102,055

 27,497

106,142

 37,602 

 8,849 

 92,673 

 9,382 

 18,907 

 8,590 

 98,934 

 7,208 

 46,451 

 102,055 

 27,497 

 106,142 

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

 206,535 

 (44,675)

 1,172 

 23,187 

 190,269 

 (62,734)

 – 

 79,000 

 186,219 

 206,535 

The imputation credits are available to shareholders of the Parent through the consolidated imputation group.

The imputation credit account balance representing tax paid at 30 per cent amounts to $23.2 million. The remaining  
imputation credit account balance of $163.0 million represents tax paid at 33 per cent.

 
 
 
Opening balance credit

Imputation credits attached to dividends paid

Imputation credits attached to dividends received

New Zealand income tax paid

Closing balance credit 

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

Group

$000

 206,535 

 (44,675)

 1,172 

 23,187 

Group

$000

 190,269 

 (62,734)

 – 

 79,000 

 186,219 

 206,535 

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  75

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

10 Distributions and dividends 

The Parent declared the following distributions and dividends during the year:

Distribution/dividend 
payment date

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
cents per share

Parent
30 June 2008
cents per share

Dividends

2007 year final dividend

25 September 2007

2008 year interim dividend

26 March 2008

2008 year final dividend

Supplementary dividend

Foreign investor tax credit

Distributions

23 September 2008

2009 year interim distribution (PDP)

31 March 2009

Supplementary dividend

Foreign investor tax credit

 – 

 – 

98,028 

10,197 

(10,197)

63,694 

579 

(579)

 98,028 

 63,430 

 – 

 16,790 

(16,790)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

17

 – 

 – 

 11 

 – 

 – 

 17 

 11 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Total distributions and dividends 

161,722 

161,458 

On 23 February 2009 the Board approved the introduction of a Profit Distribution Plan (PDP).

Under the PDP, all shareholders receive distributions in the form of non-taxable bonus shares with the option to have the shares, 
or a portion of them, bought back by the Parent for cash. Shareholders who elect to have their bonus shares bought back by the 
Parent at equivalent cost under the off-market buy back facility, are treated as having received a fully imputed cash dividend.

On 31 March 2009, the Parent allotted 11,251,746 bonus shares under the PDP, at an issue price of $5.6608609 per share. 
This bonus issue represented a distribution equivalent to 11 cents per share, for shares on issue at 10 March 2009, the record 
date. Under the buy back facility the Parent completed an off-market buy back of 2,571,104 shares on 31 March 2009. These are 
held as treasury stock at 30 June 2009. Refer to note 12.

On 13 August 2009, the Board declared a distribution in the form of a non-taxable bonus issue under the PDP equivalent to  
17 cents per share, for shares on issue at 28 August 2009, the record date. Refer to note 36.

11 Earnings and net tangible assets per share

Underlying earnings per share (cents)

Basic earnings per share (cents)

Diluted earnings per share (cents)

Net tangible assets per share (cents)

Group
30 June 2009

Group
30 June 2008

 27.35 

 20.02 

 20.02 

39.60

40.33

40.33

 458.10

457.49

The calculation of underlying earnings per share is based on underlying earnings after tax after removing significant one-off  
items and the non-cash change in fair value of financial instruments attributable to ordinary shareholders. Refer to note 2.

The calculation of basic earnings per share at 30 June 2009 is based on the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of 
$117.5 million (2008: $237.1 million) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year ended  
30 June 2009 of 587,237,669 (2008: restated to 587,885,728).

The weighted average number of shares outstanding during the prior year has been restated to reflect the effect of the issue  
of bonus shares under the PDP, as if the bonus issue had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented (2008 as 
previously reported: 576,633,982). 

For the purposes of the earnings per share calculations, the shares issued under the Restricted Share Plan are excluded until 
shares become unrestricted. Refer to note 14.

The dilutive effect of share options and restricted shares has not been taken into account in the calculation of diluted earnings 
per share at 30 June 2009 and 30 June 2008 as the relevant performance conditions have not been fulfilled at the balance sheet 
dates presented.

76 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

The calculation of net tangible assets per share for the years ended 30 June 2009 and 30 June 2008 is based on the total net  
assets less intangible assets. Net tangible assets per share would increase if total net assets were adjusted for the deferred tax  
on the revaluation of generation plant and equipment and generation capital work in progress, which is unlikely to crystallise 
under existing income tax legislation. Contact holds its property, plant and equipment on capital account for income tax 
purposes. Where the generation plant and equipment and generation capital work in progress is revalued, but there is no similar 
adjustment to the tax base, a taxable temporary difference is created that is recognised in deferred tax. The deferred tax liability 
($535.7 million, 2008: $563.5 million) on these revaluations is unlikely to crystallise under existing income tax legislation.

12 Share capital

Parent and Group

Ordinary shares – unrestricted

Balance at start of the year

Issued

Transaction costs

Balance at end of the year

Ordinary shares – restricted

Balance at start of the year

Issued

Balance at end of the year

Shares issued and authorised

Treasury stock from PDP

Total share capital

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

Number

$000

Number

$000

 576,633,982 

 780,037 

 576,633,982 

 780,037 

 11,251,746 

– 

63,694 

 (563)

 – 

 – 

– 

– 

 587,885,728 

 843,168 

 576,633,982 

 780,037 

 163,308 

 104,712 

 268,020 

 444 

 219 

 663 

 76,975 

 86,333 

 163,308 

 159 

 285 

 444 

588,153,748

843,831

576,797,290

780,481

(2,571,104)

(14,555)

 –

 –

585,582,644

829,276

576,797,290

780,481

The holders of unrestricted ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends or distributions as declared from time to time  
and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Parent. Ordinary shares have no par value and are fully paid.

On 31 March 2009, the Parent issued 11,251,746 new ordinary shares at the per share price of $5.6608609, pursuant to the 
Parent’s PDP. The PDP allowed shareholders to elect to have the Parent buy back the shares issued to them at the issue price.  
As a result of shareholder elections, the Parent completed an off-market buy back of 2,571,104 shares at an equivalent cost on  
31 March 2009, which remain held as treasury stock at 30 June 2009.

Restricted ordinary shares are issued pursuant to Contact’s Employee Long Term Incentive Scheme and are held in trust.

While restricted ordinary shares confer the same rights on the holder as unrestricted shares, restricted shares are subject to  
the terms of the Restricted Share Plan that restrict the right to vote and to receive dividends or distributions. Refer to note 14.

At 30 June 2009, Contact had 585,314,624 (2008: 576,633,982) ordinary shares (excluding shares held as treasury stock  
and restricted shares) quoted on the NZSX.

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  77

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve
$000

Share-based 
payment 
reserve
$000

Retained 
earnings
$000

Total
$000

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

13 Reserves 

  Group

Balance as at 1 July 2007

Profit for the year

Cash flow hedges:

Profit/(Loss) taken to equity

Translation of foreign operations

Asset revaluation:

Re-estimate of restoration provision

Movement in deferred tax liability 
attributable to equity
Re-measurement of deferred tax on 
change in corporate income tax rate

Total recognised revenues  
and expenses

Dividends paid to shareholders

Business combination of commonly 
controlled entities

Share-based payments

Balance as at 30 June 2008

Balance as at 1 July 2008

Profit for the year

Cash flow hedges:

Profit/(Loss) taken to equity

Translation of foreign operations

Asset revaluation:

Re-estimate of restoration provision

Movement in deferred tax liability 
attributable to equity

Total recognised revenues  
and expenses

Distributions and dividends

Share-based payments

Balance as at 30 June 2009

28

29

29

10

14

28

29

10

14

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve
$000

Note

 50 

 – 

 – 

 606 

Asset 
revaluation 
reserve
$000

 1,900,718 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 293 

 – 

 (106,450)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (3,272)

(260)

1,080 

 35,129 

– 

(143)

(3,251)

346 

(2,335)

(74,572)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 396 

 1,898,383 

 (74,279)

 396 

 1,898,383 

 (74,279)

 – 

 – 

 (106)

 – 

 20 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (3,295)

 – 

 52,091 

 – 

 – 

 988 

 (16,472)

(86)

 (2,307)

35,619 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 260 

 222,662 

 2,123,983 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 467 

 727 

 727 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 237,066 

 237,066 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (106,450)

 606 

 (3,272)

 35,949 

 (3,394)

237,066 

 160,505 

 (161,458)

 (161,458)

 93 

 – 

 93 

 467 

 298,363 

 2,123,590 

 298,363 

 2,123,590 

 117,536 

 117,536 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 52,091 

 (106)

 (3,295)

 (15,464)

 117,536

 150,762 

 (161,722)

 (161,722)

 362 

 – 

 362 

 310 

 1,896,076 

 (38,660)

 1,089 

 254,177 

 2,112,992

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
78 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Parent

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve
$000

Note

Balance as at 1 July 2007

Profit for the year

Cash flow hedges:

Profit/(Loss) taken to equity

Asset revaluation:

Re-estimate of restoration provision

Movement in deferred tax liability 
attributable to equity
Re-measurement of deferred tax on 
change in corporate income tax rate

Total recognised revenues  
and expenses

Dividends paid to shareholders

Business combination of commonly 
controlled entities

Share-based payments

Balance as at 30 June 2008

Balance as at 1 July 2008

Profit for the year

Cash flow hedges:

Profit/(Loss) taken to equity

Asset revaluation:

Re-estimate of restoration provision

Movement in deferred tax liability 
attributable to equity

Total recognised revenues  
and expenses

Distributions and dividends

Share-based payments

Balance as at 30 June 2009

28

29

29

10

28

29

10

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

– 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Asset 
revaluation 
reserve
$000

 1,707,304 

 – 

 – 

 905 

 – 

 (107,110)

 (3,272)

–

 1,080 

 35,345 

 (143)

 (3,243)

(2,335)

 (75,008)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,704,969 

 (74,103)

 1,704,969 

 (74,103)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 51,889 

 (3,295)

 – 

 988 

 (16,394)

 (2,307)

 35,495 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve
$000

Share-based 
payment 
reserve
$000

Retained 
earnings
$000

Total
$000

 260 

 379,087 

 2,087,556 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 467 

 727 

 727 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 248,316 

 248,316 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (107,110)

 (3,272)

 36,425 

 (3,386)

 248,316 

 170,973 

 (161,458)

 (161,458)

 93 

 – 

 93 

 467 

 466,038 

 2,097,631 

 466,038 

 2,097,631 

 63,588 

 63,588

 – 

 – 

 – 

 51,889 

 (3,295)

 (15,406)

 63,588 

 96,776 

 (161,722)

 (161,722)

 362 

 – 

 362 

 1,702,662 

 (38,608)

 1,089 

 367,904 

 2,033,047 

14 Share-based payments

Contact has a Long Term Incentive Scheme for executives whereby the value of the long term incentive award is allocated, by 
value, 50 per cent in share options under a Share Option Plan and 50 per cent in restricted shares under a Restricted Share Plan 
(together the Plans). Under the Plans, the share options will only be exercisable, and the restricted shares will only become 
unrestricted, to the extent that the relevant performance hurdles are satisfied. For the restricted shares and share options issued 
under the Plans, the hurdle is a comparison of Contact’s total shareholder return (TSR) against the average TSR of a reference 
group comprising the NZX50 index over the relevant period, commencing on the effective grant date. 

The share options and unrestricted shares are unlisted and are personal to the employee and therefore cannot be traded.

The total expense recognised for share-based payments under the Plans during the year ended 30 June 2009 was $0.9 million 
(2008: $0.9 million).

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

(a) Share Option Plan

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  79

Under the Share Option Plan, the Board issues share options to executives to acquire ordinary shares in the Parent at the 
market price determined at the effective grant date. For share options granted in the years ended 30 June 2009 and 30 June 
2008, the market price was the weighted average market price of the Parent’s ordinary shares traded on the NZSX over the 
20 business days prior to the effective grant date. 

The share options do not entitle the executives to receive dividends or other distributions from, nor vote in respect of, the 
shares subject to the options. 

There is a vesting period of approximately three years from the effective grant date before share options may be exercised. 
Following the end of that period, the performance hurdles are measured on three annual test dates. There is a two-year, 
two-month exercise period following the first test date during which share options may be exercised, again, to the extent  
that the performance hurdles are obtained. 

The share options may also be exercised if, between the effective grant date and the exercise date, a change of control of the 
Parent occurs. In addition, the Board may, at its discretion, permit share options to be exercised prior to the commencement 
of the relevant exercise period where the shares cease to be listed on the NZSX or other circumstances occur where such an 
early exercise is considered appropriate by the Board.

The share options will lapse:

•  

•  

if the performance hurdles are not met by the last measurement date, or

if the share options are not exercised by the lapse date, or 

•   on the date on which the participant ceases to be employed by the Parent (except in the case of redundancy), or 

•  

 on the death of the participant (provided, however, that the Board may, in its discretion, allow the participant’s successor 
to exercise the share options). 

In the event of redundancy, the Share Option Plan will continue, except that the number of share options will be recalculated 
on a proportionate basis. 

Group and Parent 
2009

Effective 
grant date

1 Jul 2006

20 Nov 2006

15 Jan 2007

1 Oct 2007

1 Feb 2008

1 Oct 2008

Group and Parent
2008

Effective 
grant date

1 Jul 2006

20 Nov 2006

15 Jan 2007

1 Oct 2007

1 Feb 2008

First  
exercise  
date

Expiry date

Exercise 
price per 
option

Balance at                 
1 July 2008

Granted

 Lapsed 

Balance at                  
30 June               
2009

Exercisable 
at 30 June 
2009

 1 Oct 2009 

 30 Nov 2011

 1 Oct 2009 

 30 Nov 2011

 1 Oct 2009 

 30 Nov 2011

 1 Oct 2010 

 30 Nov 2012

 1 Oct 2010 

 30 Nov 2012

 1 Oct 2011 

 30 Nov 2013

$7.35

$7.55

$8.28

$9.15

$7.63

$8.60

 330,706 

 18,361 

 13,413 

 445,599 

 22,706 

–

–

–

–

–

 (13,808)

 316,898 

 (18,361)

 – 

 – 

 13,413 

 (81,113)

 364,486 

 (7,698)

 15,008 

 – 

 881,769 

 (76,936)

 804,833 

 830,785 

 881,769 

 (197,916)

 1,514,638 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

First  
exercise  
date

Expiry date

Exercise 
price per 
option

Balance at                 
1 July 2007

Granted

 Lapsed 

Balance at                  
30 June               
2008

Exercisable 
at 30 June 
2008

1 Oct 2009

 30 Nov 2011 

1 Oct 2009

 30 Nov 2011 

1 Oct 2009

 30 Nov 2011 

1 Oct 2010

 30 Nov 2012 

1 Oct 2010

 30 Nov 2012 

$7.35

$7.55

$8.28

$9.15

$7.63

 365,322 

 18,361 

 13,413 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (34,616)

 330,706 

 – 

 – 

 18,361 

 13,413 

 490,326 

 (44,727)

 445,599 

 22,706 

 – 

 22,706 

 397,096 

 513,032 

 (79,343)

 830,785 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

A further 217,190 share options lapsed on 31 July 2009.

80 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

(b) Restricted Share Plan

Under the Restricted Share Plan the Board issues restricted shares to the participants at the market price determined at the 
effective grant date. Although the participant has beneficial title to the restricted shares, under the terms of the Restricted  
Share Plan:

(i)   the restricted shares are issued to an independent trustee to be held on trust for the participant; and

(ii)  the trustee will not exercise any voting rights attaching to the restricted shares and has forgone the right to distributions.

Legal title cannot be transferred to the participant, and therefore traded by the participant, unless, and until, the restricted 
shares become unrestricted. A participant may not transfer, assign, or otherwise dispose of, or create any interest (including 
any security, or legal or equitable interest) in, a restricted share until it becomes unrestricted.

For restricted shares issued in the years ended 30 June 2009 and 30 June 2008, the market price or allocation price of  
the restricted shares was the weighted average market price of the Parent’s ordinary shares traded on the NZSX over the  
20 business days prior to the effective grant date. Payment of the allocation price for the restricted shares is funded by  
an interest-free loan from the Parent in an amount equal to the allocation price for the shares.

If the performance hurdles are met, the restricted shares will be released from the trust to the participant following the 
relevant test date. There is a vesting period of approximately three years from the effective grant date before restricted  
shares that vest may be released from the restrictions and transferred to the participant. Following the end of that period,  
the exercise hurdles are measured on three annual test dates. To the extent the hurdles are met on each of these test dates, 
restricted shares must be released from the restrictions and transferred from the trustee to the participant.

For restricted shares that a participant becomes entitled to, the Parent pays a bonus, which the participant must use to repay 
the loan. Upon repayment of the loan, the trustee transfers legal title to the restricted shares to the participant and the shares 
become unrestricted.

The restricted shares may be released from the restrictions and transferred to the participants if, between the grant date and 
a test date, a change of control of the Parent occurs.

The rights to the restricted shares will lapse:

• 

if the performance hurdles are not met by the last test date, or

•  on the date on which the participant ceases to be employed by the Parent (except in the case of redundancy), or 

• 

 on the death of the participant (provided, however, that the Board may, in its discretion, allow legal title to the restricted 
shares to be transferred to the participant’s successors).

In the event of redundancy, the Restricted Share Plan will continue, except that the number of restricted shares will be 
recalculated on a proportionate basis.

Group and Parent
2009

Effective  
grant date

1 Jul 2006

20 Nov 2006

15 Jan 2007

1 Oct 2007

1 Feb 2008

1 Oct 2008

First test date

Final test date

1 Oct 2009

 1 Oct 2011

1 Oct 2009

 1 Oct 2011

1 Oct 2009

 1 Oct 2011

1 Oct 2010

 1 Oct 2012

1 Oct 2010

 1 Oct 2012

1 Oct 2011

 1 Oct 2013

Allocation
price per
share

Unvested 
balance at  
1 July 2008
number

Granted
number

 Vested   
number

$7.35

$7.55

$8.28

$9.15

$7.63

$8.60

 70,890 

 3,581 

 2,504 

 83,242 

 3,091 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 104,712 

 163,308 

 104,712 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Unvested
balance at
30 June 2009
number

 70,890 

 3,581 

 2,504 

 83,242 

 3,091 

 104,712 

 268,020 

 
 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  81

Group and Parent
2008

Effective  
grant date

1 Jul 2006

20 Nov 2006

15 Jan 2007

1 Oct 2007

1 Feb 2008

First test date

Final test date

1 Oct 2009

 1 Oct 2011

1 Oct 2009

 1 Oct 2011

1 Oct 2009

 1 Oct 2011

1 Oct 2010

 1 Oct 2012

1 Oct 2010

 1 Oct 2012

Allocation
price per
share

Unvested 
balance at  
1 July 2007
number

Granted
number

 Vested
number  

$7.35

$7.55

$8.28

$9.15

$7.63

 70,890 

 3,581 

 2,504 

 – 

 – 

 76,975 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 83,242 

 3,091 

 86,333 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Unvested
balance at
30 June 2008
number

 70,890 

 3,581 

 2,504 

 83,242 

 3,091 

 163,308 

Pursuant to the Restricted Share Plan’s rules, where the rights to the restricted shares lapse, beneficial ownership of the 
restricted shares is transferred to the trustee to hold in trust in an unallocated pool, to be reallocated by the Board to  
a participant at a future date.

As at 30 June 2009, 24,159 (2008: 10,667) restricted shares were held by the trustee in the unallocated pool. A further 
34,041 restricted shares were transferred to the unallocated pool on 31 July 2009.

(c) Fair value of share-based payments

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted is based on the fair value of share options granted, 
measured using a combination of Monte-Carlo simulation and a binomial option pricing model. The valuation of the options 
granted in the year ended 30 June 2009 was based on the following weighted average assumptions:

Risk free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Expected option life (in years)

Expected share price volatility

Weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

5.6%

3.9%

5.1

21.0%

3.7

6.7%

3.7%

5.1

18.5%

4.0

Restricted shares are valued based on the market price at the effective grant date, adjusted for dividends and distributions 
that are not received until the restricted shares vest. Volatility is based on historic volatility in Contact’s share price. The 
performance hurdles noted above are included in the valuation model used in determining the fair value of share options  
and restricted shares issued during the year.

15 Cash and cash equivalents 

Unrestricted cash

Cash and short term deposits

Bank overdrafts (refer to note 25)

Cash and cash equivalents in the Statement of Cash Flows

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 179,220 

 2,542 

 177,848 

 179,220 

 (1,675)

 177,545 

 2,542 

 (1,752)

 177,848 

 (1,959)

 790 

 175,889 

 (2,184)

 – 

 – 

 (2,184)

82 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

16 Receivables and prepayments

Retail electricity, other receivables and accruals

Wholesale electricity receivables

Provision for impairment

Net receivables

Prepayments

Interest receivable

Advances to subsidiaries

Other receivables

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 170,184 

 70,080 

(7,192)

 188,694 

 332,024 

(4,761)

128,031

70,080

(5,321)

144,464

332,024

(3,376)

 233,072 

 515,957 

 192,790 

 473,112 

 1,340 

 637 

 – 

18,787

 1,408 

 – 

 – 

–

 1,333 

 637 

 11,239 

18,787

 1,276 

 – 

 14,599 

–

Total receivables and prepayments

253,836

517,365

224,786

488,987

Included in retail electricity, other receivables and accruals are $29.9 million of receivables (2008: $26.3 million) that  
are past due but not impaired. These relate to a number of customers who are currently outside normal commercial payment 
terms and for whom there is no recent history of default. 

Included in other operating expenses for the Group are receivables written off during the year totalling $7.6 million  
(2008: $4.0 million).

Average wholesale electricity sales prices per megawatt hour that the Parent received for its generation in June 2009  
were considerably lower than June 2008 prices due to the national hydro shortage conditions during winter 2008.  
Consequently, wholesale electricity receivables were higher at June 2008.

Provision for impairment 

Provision for impairment at start of year

Charge to Income Statement

Provision for impairment at end of year

17 Inventories

LPG

Consumables and spare parts

Total inventories

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

(4,761)

(2,431)

(7,192)

(4,457)

(304)

(4,761)

(3,376)

(1,945)

(5,321)

(3,096)

(280)

(3,376)

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 9,004 

 6,902 

 15,906 

13,876

7,235

21,111

 – 

 6,600 

 6,600 

 – 

7,014

7,014

 
Retail electricity, other receivables and accruals

Wholesale electricity receivables

Provision for impairment

Net receivables

Prepayments

Interest receivable

Advances to subsidiaries

Other receivables

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

Group

Parent

Parent

$000

$000

$000

Group

$000

 170,184 

 70,080 

(7,192)

 1,340 

 637 

 – 

18,787

 233,072 

 515,957 

 192,790 

 473,112 

 188,694 

 332,024 

(4,761)

 1,408 

 – 

 – 

–

128,031

70,080

(5,321)

 1,333 

 637 

 11,239 

18,787

144,464

332,024

(3,376)

 1,276 

 14,599 

 – 

–

Total receivables and prepayments

253,836

517,365

224,786

488,987

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  83

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

18 Property, plant and equipment

Group

Cost or fair value

Generation 
plant and 
equipment 
(including 
land and 
buildings) at 
fair value
$000

Other  
land and 
buildings  
at cost
$000

Other  
plant and 
equipment  
at cost
$000

Generation 
capital work 
in progress at 
fair value
$000

Development 
capital work 
in progress  
at cost 
 $000 

 Other  
capital work 
in progress  
at cost 
 $000 

Total 
 $000 

Balance as at 1 July 2007

 4,027,138 

Additions

Transfers to/(from) capital 
work in progress

Disposals

 70,394 

77,731 

 – 

 25,209 

 13,139 

 888 

 (2,992)

 272,009 

 10,718 

 94,286 

 50,055 

 14,914 

 (64,889)

 – 

 – 

 32,795 

 60,761 

 (11,165)

 (3,038)

 21,874 

 4,473,311 

 23,343 

 228,410 

 (17,479)

 – 

 – 

 (6,030)

Balance as at 30 June 2008

 4,175,263 

 36,244 

 297,641 

 79,452 

 79,353 

 27,738 

 4,695,691 

Balance as at 1 July 2008

 4,175,263 

 36,244 

 297,641 

 79,452 

 79,353 

 27,738 

 4,695,691 

Reclassification of New
Plymouth land and buildings

Additions

Transfers to/(from) capital 
work in progress
Disposals

Transfer to intangibles

 – 

 – 

 (6,467)

 (14,259)

 100,876 

 14,259 

 6,517 

 – 

 9,709 

 55,307 

 243,871 

 16,723 

 433,003 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (5,132) 

 (11,599)

 – 

 – 

 64,538 
 –

 117 
(874)

15,608 
(52,731)

 (62,627)
–

 (1,723)
–

 (15,913)
–

 – 
(53,605)

Balance as at 30 June 2009

 4,326,418 

 56,263 

 263,760 

 72,132 

 321,501 

 23,416

 5,063,490

Depreciation and impairment losses

Balance as at 1 July 2007

 – 

 (2,624)

 (168,156)

Depreciation charge

 (122,461)

 (446)

 (20,404)

Balance as at 30 June 2008

 (122,461)

 (3,070)

 (188,560)

Balance as at 1 July 2008

 (122,461)

 (3,070)

 (188,560)

Transfer to intangibles

 – 

 – 

 6,085 

Reclassification of New 
Plymouth land and buildings

Depreciation charge

Disposals

Impairment losses recognised 
in Income Statement*

 1,185 

 (138,716)

 – 

 – 

(1,185)

 (1,086)

 874 

 – 

 (21,043)

 52,290 

 – 

 – 

Balance as at 30 June 2009

 (259,992)

 (4,467)

 (151,228 )

Carrying value

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (2,830)

 (2,830)

 (123)

 123 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (170,903)

 (143,188)

 (314,091)

 (314,091)

 6,085 

 – 

 (160,845)

 53,164 

 (2,830)

 (418,517)

As at 30 June 2008

 4,052,802 

 33,174 

 109,081 

 79,452 

 79,353 

 27,738 

 4,381,600 

As at 30 June 2009

 4,066,426 

 51,796 

 112,532 

 72,132 

 318,671 

 23,416

 4,644,973

*  Refer to note 3.

 
 
 
84 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Parent

Cost or fair value

Generation 
plant and 
equipment 
(including 
land and 
buildings) at 
fair value
$000

Other  
land and 
buildings  
at cost
$000

Other  
plant and 
equipment  
at cost
$000

Generation 
capital work 
in progress at 
fair value
$000

Development 
capital work 
in progress  
at cost
 $000 

Other  
capital work 
in progress  
at cost
 $000 

 Total 
 $000 

Balance as at 1 July 2007

 4,027,138 

Additions

 70,394 

 22,538 

 13,139 

 163,750 

 10,712 

 94,286 

 50,055 

Transfers to/(from) capital 
work in progress

Disposals

 77,731 

 – 

 9,522 

 (64,889)

 – 

 (2,992)

 – 

 – 

 30,665 

 54,411 

 (11,165)

 (3,038)

 13,075 

 4,351,452 

 12,690 

 211,401 

 (11,199)

 – 

 – 

 (6,030)

Balance as at 30 June 2008

 4,175,263 

 32,685 

 183,984 

 79,452 

 70,873 

 14,566 

 4,556,823 

Balance as at 1 July 2008

 4,175,263 

 32,685 

 183,984 

 79,452 

 70,873 

 14,566 

 4,556,823 

Transfer to intangibles

 – 

 – 

 (6,467)

(14,259)

 100,876 

 14,259 

 5,954 

 – 

 2,803 

 55,307 

 238,414 

 16,723 

 420,077

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(5,132) 

 (11,599)

 – 

 – 

Reclassification of New 
Plymouth land and buildings

Additions

Transfers to/(from) capital 
work in progress
Disposals

 64,538 
–

 – 
(874)

 7,966 
 (52,159)

 (62,627)
–

 (1,723)
–

 (8,154)
–

 – 
(53,033)

Balance as at 30 June 2009

 4,326,418 

 52,024 

 136,127 

 72,132 

 307,564 

 18,003 

 4,912,268 

Depreciation and impairment losses

Balance as at 1 July 2007

 – 

 (2,094)

 (106,664)

Depreciation charge

 (122,461)

 (327)

 (15,508)

Balance as at 30 June 2008

 (122,461)

 (2,421)

 (122,172)

Balance as at 1 July 2008

 (122,461)

 (2,421)

 (122,172)

Transfer to intangibles

 – 

 – 

 6,085 

Reclassification of New 
Plymouth land and buildings

Depreciation charge

Disposals

 1,185 

 (1,185)

 (138,716)

 – 

 (945)

 874 

 – 

 (16,041)

 52,159 

Balance as at 30 June 2009

 (259,992)

 (3,677)

 (79,969)

Carrying value

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (108,758)

 (138,296)

 (247,054)

 (247,054)

 6,085 

 – 

 (155,702)

 53,033 

 (343,638)

As at 30 June 2008

 4,052,802 

 30,264 

 61,812 

 79,452 

 70,873 

 14,566 

 4,309,769 

As at 30 June 2009

 4,066,426 

 48,347 

 56,158 

 72,132 

 307,564 

 18,003 

 4,568,630 

Generation plant and equipment and capital work in progress carried at fair value
Deloitte revalued Contact’s generation plant and equipment and generation capital work in progress at 30 June 2007.  
Deloitte is an independent valuer. 

The key assumptions used in the valuation model include a forecast electricity price path, sales volume forecasts, projected 
operational and capital expenditure profiles, capacity and life assumptions for each generation plant and a discount rate 
assumption.

Under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, the Waitangi Tribunal has the power to recommend, in appropriate circumstances,  
that some of the land and interest in land purchased from the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand (ECNZ) and now owned  
by Contact be resumed by the Crown in order that it be returned to the Maori claimants. In the event that the Tribunal’s initial 
recommendation is confirmed and the land is to be returned, compensation will be paid to Contact under the provisions of  
the Public Works Act 1981. 

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  85

The carrying amount of generation plant and equipment and generation capital work in progress, had they been recognised  
under the cost model, are as follows:

Depreciated cost

Generation plant and equipment

Generation capital work in progress

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 1,612,992 

 1,562,172 

 1,612,992 

 1,562,172 

 72,132 

 79,452 

 72,132 

 79,452 

 1,685,124 

 1,641,624 

 1,685,124 

 1,641,624 

19 Intangible assets

Group

Cost

Balance as at 1 July 2007

Additions

Balance as at 30 June 2008

Balance as at 1 July 2008

Transfer from property, plant and equipment

Additions

Disposals

Goodwill
$000

Patents
$000

Gas storage 
rights
$000

Computer 
software
$000

Total
$000

 181,941 

 1,222 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 28,563 

 8,777 

 1,357 

 191,940 

 29,920 

 181,941 

 181,941 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,222 

 1,222 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 28,563 

 10,134 

 221,860 

 28,563 

 – 

 2,305 

 – 

 10,134 

 11,599 

 30,897 

 (733)

 221,860 

 11,599 

33,202 

 (733)

Balance as at 30 June 2009

 181,941 

 1,222 

 30,868 

 51,897 

 265,928 

Amortisation and impairment losses

Balance as at 1 July 2007

Amortisation charge

Balance as at 30 June 2008

Balance as at 1 July 2008

Transfer from property, plant and equipment

Amortisation charge

Disposals

Balance as at 30 June 2009

Carrying value

As at 30 June 2008

As at 30 June 2009

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (974)

 (248)

 (1,222)

 (1,222)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (1,222)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (2,982)

 (3,104)

 (6,086)

 (6,086)

 (6,085)

 (1,109)

 733 

 (3,956)

 (3,352)

 (7,308)

 (7,308)

 (6,085)

 (1,109)

 733 

 (12,547)

 (13,769)

 181,941 

 181,941 

 – 

 – 

 28,563 

 30,868 

 4,048 

 214,552 

39,350 

 252,159 

86 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Parent

Cost 

Balance as at 1 July 2007

Additions

Balance as at 30 June 2008

Balance as at 1 July 2008

Transfer from property, plant and equipment

Additions

Disposals

Balance as at 30 June 2009

Amortisation and impairment losses

Balance as at 1 July 2007

Amortisation charge

Balance as at 30 June 2008

Balance as at 1 July 2008

Transfer from property, plant and equipment

Amortisation charge

Disposals

Balance as at 30 June 2009

Carrying value

As at 30 June 2008

As at 30 June 2009

Goodwill
$000

Patents
$000

Gas storage 
rights
$000

Computer 
software
$000

Total
$000

 123,307 

 – 

 123,307 

 123,307 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 123,307 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 123,307 

 123,307 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 28,563 

 8,777 

 1,357 

 132,084 

 29,920 

 28,563 

 10,134 

 162,004 

 28,563 

 – 

 2,305 

 – 

 10,134 

 11,599 

 30,897 

 (733)

 162,004 

11,599 

 33,202 

 (733)

 30,868 

51,897 

 206,072 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (2,982)

 (3,104)

 (6,086)

 (6,086)

 (6,085)

 (1,109)

 733 

 (2,982)

 (3,104)

 (6,086)

 (6,086)

 (6,085)

 (1,109)

 733 

 (12,547)

 (12,547)

 28,563 

 4,048 

 155,918 

 30,868 

 39,350 

 193,525 

Goodwill
For the purpose of impairment testing, all goodwill is allocated to the retail cash-generating unit. The unit’s impairment test  
is based on a value in use discounted cash flow valuation. Cash flow projections are based on a 10 year financial forecast for  
the underlying retail business and are extrapolated using an average annual growth rate of approximately 1.0 – 3.0 per cent.  
The cash flow projections are discounted using post tax discount rates of 8.0 – 10.0 per cent.

Key assumptions in the value in use calculation for the retail cash-generating unit are:

Assumptions

Method of determination

Customer numbers and customer churn

Gross margin per customer

Cost to serve per customer

Review of actual customer numbers and historical data regarding movements  
in customer numbers. The historical analysis is considered against expected 
market trends and competition for customers.

Review of actual gross margin per customer and consideration of expected 
market movements and impacts.

Review of actual cost to serve per customer and consideration of expected 
market movements and impacts.

Gas storage rights
On 12 June 2008, Contact acquired the exclusive right to use the Ahuroa reservoir in order to develop an underground gas storage 
facility field. 

This acquisition was completed in conjunction with Contact’s ultimate parent company, Origin Energy Limited (Origin), which 
acquired certain New Zealand oil and gas assets from Swift Energy New Zealand Limited (Swift). These assets included a petroleum 
mining licence (PML 38139, the PML) to an area that includes the Ahuroa reservoir. Contact paid $52.0 million of the total purchase 
price to Origin, subject to the final measurement of gas for reserves in situ at purchase date, in exchange for a beneficial interest in 
the PML as it relates to the Ahuroa reservoir, the right to develop and undertake gas storage in the Ahuroa reservoir, and the gas and 
LPG reserves contained therein. 

Contact’s beneficial right in the PML shall continue until such time as the term of the PML expires and is not renewed or is no longer 
required in order to undertake gas storage. 

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  87

As part of the acquisition of the rights, Contact has secured beneficial access to the remaining natural gas and LPG reserves 
(excluding condensate) in the Ahuroa reservoir. The natural gas reserves, together with additional natural gas injections, 
represent the investment necessary to enable the field to be used for gas storage and are referred to as cushion gas. Refer to  
note 20.

Additions to gas storage rights for the year relate to capitalised financing costs on the original acquisition of the rights.

Impairment
No impairment exists for any intangible asset at 30 June 2009 (2008: nil).

20 Gas storage – cushion gas

As part of the acquisition of the gas storage rights (refer to note 19), Contact has secured beneficial access to the remaining 
natural gas and LPG reserves (excluding condensate) in the Ahuroa reservoir. The natural gas reserves at the date of acquisition, 
together with additional natural gas injections during the year, are referred to as cushion gas and represent the investment 
necessary to enable the field to be used for storage of future ‘operational’ gas.

Gas injected in excess of the cushion gas requirements will be treated as inventory. 

Cushion gas is recognised at cost, which includes capitalised interest, and is presented on the Balance Sheet as a separate  
non-current, non-depreciable asset, referred to as gas storage – cushion gas. 

21 Investment in jointly controlled entity

Name of entity

Gasbridge Joint Venture

Interest held by Group

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

Principal activity

50%

50%

LNG importation development

The Gasbridge Joint Venture is operated through Gasbridge Limited, an entity jointly controlled by Contact Aria Limited  
(a 100 per cent subsidiary of Contact Energy Limited) and GP No. 1 Limited (a 100 per cent subsidiary of Genesis Power 
Limited). The joint venture was set up to preserve the option of importing natural gas, if required in the future. The following 
amounts represent Contact’s 50 per cent share of the assets and liabilities, and income and results of the joint venture. These  
are included in the Balance Sheet and the Income Statement:

Assets

Current assets

Non–current assets*

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net (liabilities)/assets

Income

Expenses

Loss after income tax

Proportionate interest in joint venture’s commitments

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

 42 

–

42

 59 

 59 

(17)

 4 

(344)

(340)

 – 

 572 

 2,281 

 2,853 

 75 

 75 

2,778

 11 

(432)

(421)

 – 

*  

 During the year, Contact wrote off its 50 per cent share of the Gasbridge Joint Venture’s non-current assets following the 
decision to put on hold the development of the liquefied natural gas terminal. These assets have been excluded from the 
balances above. Refer to note 3.

There are no contingent liabilities relating to Contact’s interest in the joint venture and no contingent liabilities in the joint 
venture itself.

Assumptions

Method of determination

Customer numbers and customer churn

Review of actual customer numbers and historical data regarding movements  

in customer numbers. The historical analysis is considered against expected 

market trends and competition for customers.

Gross margin per customer

Review of actual gross margin per customer and consideration of expected 

Cost to serve per customer

Review of actual cost to serve per customer and consideration of expected 

market movements and impacts.

market movements and impacts.

 
88 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

22 Investment in subsidiaries

Name of entity

Empower Limited

Stratford Power Limited 

Contact Aria Limited

Contact Wind Limited

Rockgas Holdings Limited

Rockgas Limited

Contact Australia Pty Limited

Contact Operations Australia Pty Limited

Interest held by Parent

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

Principal activity

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100% Electricity retailer

100% Gas wholesaler

100% Investment holding company

100% Wind generation development

100% Holding and management company

100% LPG retailer

100% Investment holding company

Country of  
incorporation

New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand

Australia

100% Manages Australian interests relating to operation  

Australia

and maintenance

All subsidiaries have a balance sheet date of 30 June.

23 Investment in associates

Interest held by Group

Name of entity

30 June 2009

30 June 2008

Principal activity

Oakey Power Holdings Pty Limited

Rockgas Timaru Limited

25%

50%

25% Electricity generation

50% LPG distribution

Country of  
incorporation

Australia

New Zealand

Carrying value of associates

Carrying value at start of the year

Share of recognised revenue and expenses

Movements taken to foreign currency translation reserve

Dividends received

Carrying value at end of the year

Rockgas Timaru Limited has a balance sheet date of 31 March.

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 8,015 

 3,624 

 (67)

 6,210 

 2,793 

 866 

 (2,885)

 (1,854)

 1,579 

 1,579 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

8,687

8,015

1,579

1,579

Aggregate summary financial information of associates, not adjusted for the percentage held by Contact

Total assets

Total liabilities

Total revenues

Profit for the year

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

 161,644 

 127,416 

 42,138 

 13,244 

 173,901 

 141,547 

 42,889 

 10,934 

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  89

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

24 Available-for-sale financial assets 

Available-for-sale financial assets are financial assets that do not fall into any other financial instrument category. Contact does 
not currently intend to sell these assets. 

At cost*

Unlisted shares in Liquigas Limited

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

2,935

2,935

2,935

2,935

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

*  

 As the fair value of the investment in the unlisted shares of Liquigas Limited cannot be reliably determined, the investment  
is held at cost.

25 Borrowings

This note provides information about the contractual terms of Contact’s borrowings. For more information about Contact’s 
exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risk, refer to note 26.

Carrying value of borrowings

Current borrowings

Bank overdraft

Committed credit facilities

Other credit facilities

Loan from associate

Finance lease liabilities

Total current borrowings

Current portion of term borrowings

4.5%   March 2010

Total current portion of term borrowings

Non-current borrowings

Non-current portion of term borrowings

4.5%   March 2010

6.9%   February 2013

5.3%   March 2014

5.3%   March 2015

5.6%   March 2018

7.1%   April 2018

Fixed rate senior notes

Fixed rate bonds 8.0% coupon

Total non-current portion of term borrowings

Finance lease liabilities

Total non-current borrowings 

Borrowing
currency
denomination

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

NZD

NZD

NZD

AUD

NZD

USD

USD

USD

USD

USD

USD

USD

NZD

NZD

 1,675 

 – 

 – 

 1,580 

 1,056 

 1,752 

 100,000 

 27,500 

 2,839 

 720 

 1,959 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,023 

 2,184 

 100,000 

 27,500 

 – 

 700 

 4,311 

 132,811 

 2,982 

 130,384 

 141,662 

 141,662 

 – 

 130,593 

 140,867 

 166,886 

 65,411 

 45,595 

 549,352 

 540,219 

 – 

 – 

 141,662 

 141,662 

 – 

 – 

 117,878 

 105,716 

 111,403 

 131,636 

 51,276 

 36,212 

 554,121 

 – 

 – 

 130,593 

 140,867 

 166,886 

 65,411 

 45,595 

 549,352 

 540,219 

 117,878 

 105,716 

 111,403 

 131,636 

 51,276 

 36,212 

 554,121 

 – 

1,089,571

554,121

1,089,571

554,121

 1,535 

 604 

 1,495 

 574 

 1,091,106 

 554,725 

 1,091,066 

 554,695 

90 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Foreign currency denominated term borrowings are hedged by cross currency interest rate swaps and are measured at fair  
value less deferred financing costs in the Balance Sheet. All other borrowings are held at amortised cost less deferred financing 
costs. The reconciliation of the New Zealand dollar equivalent of notional borrowings to the Balance Sheet carrying value is 
detailed below:

Group and Parent
2009

New Zealand dollar equivalent of notional borrowings

Deferred financing costs

Net fair value adjustment 

Carrying value of term borrowings

Current

Non-current

Carrying value of term borrowings

Group and Parent
2008

New Zealand dollar equivalent of notional borrowings

Deferred financing costs

Net fair value adjustment 

Carrying value of term borrowings

Current

Non-current

Carrying value of term borrowings

Fixed rate  
senior notes
$000

 747,527 

 (1,678)

 (54,835)

 691,014 

 141,662 

 549,352 

 691,014 

Fixed rate  
senior notes
$000

 747,527 

 (2,126)

 (191,280)

 554,121 

 – 

 554,121 

 554,121 

Fixed rate  
bonds
$000

 550,000 

 (9,781)

 – 

 540,219 

 – 

 540,219 

 540,219 

Fixed rate  
bonds
$000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

Total term  
borrowings
$000

 1,297,527 

 (11,459)

 (54,835)

 1,231,233 

 141,662 

 1,089,571 

 1,231,233 

Total term  
borrowings
$000

 747,527 

 (2,126)

 (191,280)

 554,121 

 – 

 554,121 

 554,121 

Fixed rate bonds
On 31 March 2009, the Parent issued $550.0 million of fixed rate bonds at a coupon rate of 8.0 per cent. Transaction costs 
directly attributable to the bond issue were $10.1 million.

Interest is payable quarterly in arrears until the bond matures on 15 May 2014, at which point the Parent will pay the 
bondholders the face value of the fixed rate bonds. 

The Parent accounts for these bonds at amortised cost using the effective interest rate. 

Security
Except for finance leases, Contact’s borrowings are unsecured. Contact borrows under a negative pledge arrangement, which 
does not permit Contact to grant any security interest over its assets, unless it is an exception permitted within the negative 
pledge arrangements. All borrowing covenants requirements were met during the year. 

Credit facilities
Contact has total committed but undrawn facilities at 30 June 2009 of $685.0 million (2008: $585.0 million, of which 
$100.0 million was drawn). As at 30 June 2009 $165.0 million of the facilities mature in May 2010, $270.0 million mature 
in May 2011, $100.0 million mature in February 2012 and $150.0 million mature in December 2012. 

These committed credit facilities also support a $250.0 million commercial paper programme. The commercial paper 
programme was not utilised at 30 June 2009 and 30 June 2008.

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Finance lease liabilities
Future minimum lease payments are as follows:

Not later than one year

Later than one year and not later than five years

Minimum lease payments

Future finance charges on finance leases

Present value of finance lease liabilities

The finance leases relate to computer equipment.

The present value of finance lease liabilities are as follows:

Not later than one year

Later than one year and not later than five years

26 Financial instruments 

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  91

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 1,205 

 1,758 

 2,963 

(372)

 2,591 

 762 

 670 

 1,432 

(108)

 1,324 

 1,173 

 1,717 

 2,890 

(372)

 2,518 

 742 

 640 

 1,382 

(108)

 1,274 

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 1,056 

 1,535 

 2,591 

 720 

 604 

 1,324 

 1,023 

 1,495 

 2,518 

 700 

 574 

 1,274 

Financial risk management objectives
In the normal course of business, Contact is exposed to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign currency 
risk, interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. Contact’s overall risk management programme focuses on 
the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on Contact’s financial performance. 
Contact uses derivative financial instruments to hedge these risk exposures.

Fair value of derivative financial instruments
The fair values of the significant types of derivative financial instruments outstanding are summarised below:

Group

Cross currency interest rate swaps

Interest rate derivatives

Cross currency interest rate swaps – margin

Forward foreign exchange derivatives 

Electricity price hedges

Total derivative financial instruments

Disclosed as:

Current

Non-current

Fair value 
assets  
30 June 2009  
$000

Fair value 
liabilities  
30 June 2009  
$000

Fair value 
assets  
30 June 2008  
$000

Fair value 
liabilities  
30 June 2008  
$000

 4,103 

 1,809 

 117 

 3,713 

 (58,922)

 (38,544)

 (2,454)

 (5,940)

 11,842 

 (52,413)

 – 

 (191,255)

 14,257 

 – 

 4,114 

 48,123 

 (800)

 (6,591)

 (340)

 (135,221)

 21,584 

 (158,273)

 66,494 

 (334,207)

 14,987 

 6,597 

 (72,368)

 (85,905)

 52,940 

 13,554 

 (139,282)

 (194,925)

 21,584 

 (158,273)

 66,494 

 (334,207)

92 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Parent

Cross currency interest rate swaps

Interest rate derivatives

Cross currency interest rate swaps – margin

Forward foreign exchange derivatives 

Electricity price hedges

Total derivative financial instruments

Disclosed as:

Current

Non-current

Fair value 
assets  
30 June 2009  
$000

Fair value 
liabilities  
30 June 2009  
$000

Fair value 
assets  
30 June 2008  
$000

Fair value 
liabilities  
30 June 2008  
$000

 4,103 

 1,809 

 117 

 3,713 

 (58,922)

 (38,544)

 (2,454)

 (5,889)

 11,842 

 (52,413)

 – 

 (191,255)

 14,257 

 – 

 4,114 

 48,123 

 (800)

 (6,591)

 (82)

 (135,221)

 21,584 

 (158,222)

 66,494 

 (333,949)

 14,987 

 6,597 

 (72,317)

 (85,905)

 52,940 

 13,554 

 (139,024)

 (194,925)

 21,584 

 (158,222)

 66,494 

 (333,949)

Changes in fair value of financial instruments
The changes in the fair values of financial instruments recognised in the Income Statement and cash flow hedge reserve are 
summarised below:

Group 

Favourable/(unfavourable)

Hedge 
accounting 
designation

Income  
Statement 
30 June 2009 
$000

Cash flow  
hedge reserve 
30 June 2009 
 $000

Income 
Statement  
30 June 2008  
$000

Cash flow 
hedge reserve  
30 June 2008  
$000

Cross currency interest rate swaps

Fair value hedge

Borrowings

Interest rate derivatives

Cross currency interest rate swaps – margin

Forward foreign exchange derivatives 

Forward foreign exchange derivatives 

Electricity price hedges

Electricity price hedges

Income tax on changes in fair value of financial instruments 
taken to equity

No hedge

Cash flow hedge

Cash flow hedge

No hedge

Cash flow hedge

No hedge

 136,436 

 (136,444)

 (8)

 (51,096)

 2,444 

 – 

 56 

 1,814 

 (10,721)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 904 

 1,810 

 (6,058)

 – 

 55,435 

 – 

 124,317 

 (124,448)

 (131)

 (15,767)

 349 

 – 

 (56)

 4,807 

 8,872 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 802 

 1,778 

 8,336 

 – 

 (117,366)

 – 

 – 

 (16,472)

–

 31,878 

Total change in fair value of financial instruments

 (57,511)

 35,619 

 (1,926)

 (74,572)

Parent 

Favourable/(unfavourable)

Hedge 
accounting 
designation

Income  
Statement 
30 June 2009 
$000

Cash flow  
hedge reserve 
30 June 2009 
 $000

Income 
Statement  
30 June 2008  
$000

Cash flow 
hedge reserve  
30 June 2008  
$000

Cross currency interest rate swaps

Fair value hedge

Borrowings

Interest rate derivatives

Cross currency interest rate swaps – margin

Forward foreign exchange derivatives 

Forward foreign exchange derivatives 

Electricity price hedges

Electricity price hedges

Income tax on changes in fair value of financial instruments 
taken to equity

No hedge

Cash flow hedge

Cash flow hedge

No hedge

Cash flow hedge

No hedge

 136,436 

 (136,444)

 (8)

 (51,096)

 2,444 

 – 

 56 

 1,814 

 (10,721)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 904 

 1,810 

 (6,260)

 – 

 55,435 

 – 

124,317

 (124,448)

 (131)

 (15,767)

349

–

 (56)

4,807

8,872

–

–

–

802

1,778

7,676

–

 (117,366)

–

 – 

 (16,394)

–

 32,102 

Total change in fair value of financial instruments

 (57,511)

 35,495 

 (1,926)

 (75,008)

 
 
 
 
 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  93

The non-cash total change in fair value of financial instruments recorded in the Income Statement of $(57.5) million  
(2008: $(1.9) million) is principally due to a movement in interest rate derivatives and electricity price hedges that  
have not been designated in a hedge relationship. 

The interest rate derivatives are revalued applying market interest rates. As a result, the change in fair value of interest  
rate derivatives is a non-cash item that fluctuates over time in accordance with changes in market interest rates.

The movement in the electricity price hedge is due to the volatility in the forecast market price path.

Movement in cash flow hedge reserve

Balance as at 1 July 2007

Effective portion of cash flow hedges recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve to operating revenue

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve to operating expenses

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve to change in fair value of financial instruments

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve to property, plant and equipment

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve in relation to deferred tax

Balance as at 30 June 2008

Balance as at 1 July 2008

Effective portion of cash flow hedges recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve to operating revenue

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve to operating expenses

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve to change in fair value of financial instruments

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve to property, plant and equipment

Amount transferred from the cash flow hedge reserve in relation to deferred tax

Balance as at 30 June 2009

Group         
$000

293

Parent 
$000

905

 (88,878)

 (88,711)

21,218

21,218

1,257

802

2,930

345

802

2,930

 (11,901)

 (11,592)

 (74,279)

 (74,103)

 (74,279)

 46,003 

 (10,853)

 (717)

 904 

 (2,961)

 3,243 

 (74,103)

 46,045 

 (10,853)

 (975)

 904 

 (2,961)

 3,335 

 (38,660)

 (38,608)

The gain from ineffectiveness recognised in the Income Statement of both the Parent and Group from cash flow hedges is  
$2.1 million (2008: $0.8 million).

Risk management 
Risk management is carried out by a central treasury department (Treasury) for interest rate and foreign exchange exposures.  
Risk management activities in respect of the electricity exposures are undertaken by the wholesale group (Wholesale). Both 
Treasury and Wholesale operate under policies approved by the Board. Treasury and Wholesale identify, evaluate and hedge  
the financial risks in close co-operation with Contact’s operating units. The Board’s policies provide written principles for overall 
risk management, as well as written policies covering specific areas, such as foreign currency risk, price risk, credit risk, interest 
rate risk, use of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments, and the investment of excess liquidity.

(a) Market risk

(i)    Foreign currency risk

Contact is exposed to foreign currency risk as a result of transactions denominated in a currency other than Contact’s 
functional currency, New Zealand dollars. The currencies giving rise to this risk are primarily Australian dollar, US dollar, 
Swiss franc and the Euro.

Foreign currency risk arises from future commercial transactions (including interest payments on long term borrowings 
and the purchase of capital equipment and maintenance), recognised assets and liabilities (including borrowings) and 
net investments in foreign operations.

Contact uses forward foreign exchange contracts to manage foreign exchange risk arising from future commercial 
transactions and recognised assets and liabilities. To manage the foreign currency risk arising from the future interest 
payments required on foreign currency denominated long term borrowings, Contact uses cross currency interest rate 
swaps (fixed to floating), which convert the foreign currency denominated future interest payments into the functional 
currency for the full term of the underlying borrowings. 

Treasury is responsible for managing the net position in each foreign currency within the parameters of Board policy.

Contact has certain investments in foreign operations whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency translation risk. 
Currency exposure arising from the net assets of Contact’s foreign operations is managed primarily through borrowings 
denominated in the relevant foreign currencies.

94 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Forward foreign exchange contracts
The aggregate notional principal amount of the outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts at 30 June 2009  
was $120.3 million (2008: $226.4 million). As at 30 June 2009, all foward foreign exchange contracts were 
designated in a cash flow hedge (2008: $206.3 million).

The hedged anticipated transactions denominated in foreign currency are expected to occur at various dates  
between one month to one year and three months (2008: two years and three months) from the balance sheet date. 
Gains and losses recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve in equity on forward foreign exchange contracts as at  
30 June 2009 will be released at dates when the cash flow from the underlying anticipated transactions will occur  
and will be recognised in the Income Statement or included in the cost of any asset or liability acquired. During the 
year to 30 June 2009, no hedges were de-designated, and all underlying forecast transactions remain highly probable 
to occur as originally forecast.

Sensitivity analysis
At 30 June 2009, if the New Zealand dollar had weakened/strengthened by 10 per cent against the currencies with 
which Contact had foreign currency risk with all other variables held constant: 

• 

• 

post-tax profit for the year would not have been materially different, 

 the cash flow hedge reserve component of equity would have been $8.7 million higher/lower (2008: $15.5 
million), arising from foreign exchange gains/losses on revaluation of forward foreign exchange contracts in  
a cash flow hedge relationship.

(ii)  Price risk

Contact is exposed to commodity price risk, primarily from electricity prices. To manage its commodity price risks  
in respect of electricity, Contact utilises electricity price hedges including options, where Contact sells and buys 
electricity forward at a fixed price.

Electricity price hedges
The aggregate notional volume of the outstanding fixed volume electricity derivatives at 30 June 2009 was 1,522 GWh 
(2008: 2,387 GWh). The aggregate notional volume of the outstanding variable volume electricity derivatives at 30 
June 2009 was 7,634 GWh (2008: 10,408 GWh).

Electricity derivatives are hedging underlying exposures over various trade periods out to December 2012. As at  
30 June 2009 the fair value of the electricity price hedges was $(40.6) million (2008: $(87.1) million), $(38.8) million 
of which was designated in a cash flow hedge (2008: $(96.1) million). 

Gains and losses on hedged electricity derivatives recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve in equity will be 
continuously released to the Income Statement in the period in which the underlying sale/purchase transactions  
are recognised in the Income Statement.

Sensitivity analysis

The following table summarises the impact of increases/decreases of the relevant electricity forward prices on 
Contact’s post-tax profit for the year and on other components of equity. The sensitivity analysis is based on the 
assumption that the relevant market prices have increased/decreased by 10 per cent.

Group and Parent 

Favourable/(unfavourable)

Impact on post-tax profit

Impact on equity

30 June 2009 
+10% 
$000

30 June 2009 
-10% 
$000

30 June 2008 
+10% 
$000

30 June 2008 
-10% 
$000

 251 

13,013

 (786)

 (12,335)

8,776

1,393

 (3,774)

 4,676 

 
 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

(iii)   Interest rate risk (cash flow and fair value)

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  95

Contact’s income and operating cash flows are substantially independent of changes in market interest rates. Contact is 
primarily exposed to interest rate risk as a result of issuing term borrowings at fixed interest rates. Contact manages the 
combined interest and foreign currency risk on borrowings issued in foreign currency, by entering into cross currency 
interest rate swaps to convert the proceeds into a floating rate New Zealand dollar exposure. New Zealand dollar interest 
rate swaps are used to convert floating rate exposure into fixed rate exposure.

Cross currency interest rate swaps
The aggregate notional principal amount of the outstanding cross currency interest rate swap contracts at 30 June 2009  
was $747.5 million (2008: $747.5 million). The cross currency interest rate swaps have been split into two components 
for the purposes of hedge designation. The hedge of the benchmark interest rate is designated as a fair value hedge, and 
the hedge of the issuance margin is designated as a cash flow hedge.

The hedged anticipated interest payments are expected to occur at various dates between one month to nine years  
(2008: one month to ten years) from the balance sheet date as a result of the maturities of the underlying borrowings. 

Interest rate swaps

The aggregate notional principal amount of the outstanding interest rate swap contracts at 30 June 2009 was  
$1,016.4 million (2008: $1,041.0 million) including $355.0 million of forward starting swaps (2008: $360.0 million).

The anticipated interest payment transactions are expected to occur at various dates between one month to 10 years  
(2008: one month to 10 years) from the balance sheet date. 

Sensitivity analysis

At 30 June 2009, if interest rates at that date had been 100 basis points higher/lower, with all other variables held 
constant, post-tax profit for the year would have been $17.0 million higher/lower (2008: $13.6 million). This is mainly  
as a result of the fair value change in interest rate swaps, which are valid economic hedges but which do not qualify for 
hedge accounting under NZIAS 39. There would be no effect on other components of equity.

(b) Credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to Contact. 
Contact is exposed to credit risk in the normal course of business arising from receivables, the purchase of commercial paper 
and transactions with financial institutions.

The Board has approved a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties and obtaining sufficient collateral, where 
appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults. Contact minimises its exposure to credit risk of 
receivables through the adoption of counterparty credit limits. Derivative counterparties and cash transactions are limited to 
high-credit-quality financial institutions and other organisations in the relevant industry. Contact’s exposure and the credit 
ratings of its counterparties are continuously monitored, and the aggregate value of transactions concluded are spread amongst 
approved counterparties.

The carrying amounts of financial assets recognised in the Balance Sheet best represent Contact’s maximum exposure to credit 
risk at the balance sheet date without taking account of the value of any collateral obtained.

Contact does not have any significant credit risk exposure to any single counterparty or any group of counterparties having 
similar characteristics. Concentration of credit risk with respect to receivables is limited due to Contact’s large customer base 
in a diverse range of industries throughout New Zealand. Contact has no significant concentration of credit risk with any one 
financial institution.

(c) Liquidity risk

Contact’s ability to attract cost-effective funding is largely driven by its credit standing.

Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities, the availability of funding 
through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities and the spreading of debt maturities.

Liquidity risk is monitored by continuously forecasting actual cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets 
and liabilities.

96 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Contractual maturities of financial liabilities and derivative financial instruments
The amounts disclosed are the contracted undiscounted cash flows, except for the derivative financial instruments that are  
the undiscounted settlements expected under the contracts. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying value as  
the impact of discounting is not significant. As the amounts presented are contracted undiscounted cash flows, the totals will  
not reconcile with the Balance Sheet. 

Group 
2009

Outflow/(inflow)

Payables and accruals

Borrowings

Finance lease liabilities

Net settled derivative financial instruments:

Electricity price hedges

Interest rate derivatives

Gross settled derivative financial instruments:

Forward foreign exchange derivatives

– Inflow

– Outflow

Cross currency interest rate swaps

– Inflow

– Outflow

Total 

Group
2008

Outflow/(inflow)

Payables and accruals

Borrowings

Finance lease liabilities

Net settled derivative financial instruments:

Electricity price hedges

Interest rate derivatives

Gross settled derivative financial instruments:

Forward foreign exchange derivatives

– Inflow

– Outflow

Cross currency interest rate swaps

– Inflow

– Outflow

Total 

Note

27

25

25

26

26

Note

27

25

25

26

26

Total
contractual
cash flows
$000

 304,235

 1,604,451 

 2,963 

Less than
1 year
$000

 304,235 

 222,784 

 1,205 

1–2 years
$000

2–5 years
$000

More than
5 years
$000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 73,817 

 1,014,402 

 293,448 

 783 

 975 

 44,487 

 40,623 

 8,789 

 24,934 

 16,123 

 11,841 

 19,575 

 4,288 

 (111,637)

 (109,654)

 114,684 

 112,851 

 (1,983)

 1,833 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (831,010)

 (175,462)

 (29,809)

 (332,236)

 (293,503)

 972,957 

 189,594 

 32,254 

 407,596 

 343,513 

 2,141,753 

 579,276 

 104,859 

 1,114,600 

 343,018 

Total
contractual
cash flows
$000

 540,619 

 868,756 

 1,432 

Less than
1 year
$000

 540,619 

 164,708 

 762 

1–2 years
$000

2–5 years
$000

More than
5 years
$000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 148,700 

 174,179 

 381,169 

 565 

 105 

 94,794 

 (16,554)

 47,509 

 (9,899)

 16,981 

 (3,401)

 30,304

 (2,733)

 (213,879)

 (175,778)

 215,861 

 175,289 

 (36,421)

 38,739 

 (1,680)

 1,833 

 (734,736)

 (30,743)

 (148,643)

 (174,134)

 (381,216)

1,104,101 

 69,864 

 222,323 

 277,900 

 534,014 

 1,860,394 

 782,331 

 238,843

 305,774 

 533,446 

 – 

 – 

 (440) 

 – 

 – 

 (521)

 – 

 – 

 
 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Parent
2009

Outflow/(inflow)

Payables and accruals

Borrowings

Finance lease liabilities

Net settled derivative financial instruments:

Electricity price hedges

Interest rate derivatives

Gross settled derivative financial instruments:

Forward foreign exchange derivatives

– Inflow

– Outflow

Cross currency interest rate swaps

– Inflow

– Outflow

Total 

Parent
2008

Outflow/(inflow)

Payables and accruals

Borrowings

Finance lease liabilities

Net settled derivative financial instruments:

Electricity price hedges

Interest rate derivatives

Gross settled derivative financial instruments:

Forward foreign exchange derivatives

– Inflow

– Outflow

Cross currency interest rate swaps

– Inflow

– Outflow

Total 

Note

27

25

25

26

26

Note

27

25

25

26

26

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  97

1–2 years
$000

2–5 years
$000

More than
5 years
$000

–

–

–

 73,817 

 1,014,402 

 293,448 

 742 

 975 

Total
contractual
cash flows
$000

 338,246 

 1,603,154 

 2,890 

Less than
1 year
$000

 338,246

 221,487 

 1,173 

 44,487 

 40,623 

 8,789 

 24,934 

 16,123 

 11,841 

 19,575 

 4,288 

 (106,071)

 (104,088)

 109,052 

 107,219 

 (1,983)

 1,833 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (831,010)

 (175,462)

 (29,809)

 (332,236)

 (293,503)

 972,957 

 189,594 

 32,254 

 407,596 

 343,513 

 2,174,328

 611,892

 104,818 

 1,114,600 

 343,018 

Total
contractual
cash flows
$000

 522,949 

 866,349 

 1,382 

Less than
1 year
$000

 522,949 

 162,301 

 742 

1–2 years
$000

2–5 years
$000

More than
5 years
$000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 148,700 

 174,179 

 381,169 

 535 

 105 

 94,794

 (16,554)

 47,509

 (9,899)

 16,981

 (3,401)

 30,304

 (2,733)

 (203,646)

 (165,545)

 205,290 

 164,718 

 (36,421)

 38,739 

 (1,680)

 1,833 

 (734,736)

 (30,743)

 (148,643)

 (174,134)

 (381,216)

1,104,101 

 69,864 

 222,323

277,900 

 534,014 

 1,839,929

 761,896

 238,813 

 305,774 

 533,446 

 – 

 – 

 (440) 

 – 

 – 

 (521)

 – 

 – 

Fair values
The carrying amount of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the financial statements approximates their fair 
values, with the exception of the fixed rate bonds, which have a fair value of $563.4 million, compared with a carrying value  
of $540.2 million. 

Estimation of fair values
The fair values and net fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are determined as follows:

•  

•  

•  

 the fair values of financial assets and liabilities with standard terms and conditions and traded on active liquid markets are 
determined with reference to quoted market prices,

 the fair values of other financial assets and financial liabilities are calculated using market-quoted rates based on discounted 
cash flow analysis,

 the fair values of derivative financial instruments are calculated using quoted prices. Where such prices are not available,  
use is made of discounted cash flow analysis using the applicable yield curve or available forward price data for the duration 
of the instruments,

•  

the fair value of fixed rate bonds is determined with reference to quoted market prices.

98 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Where the fair value of a derivative financial instrument is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows  
of the instrument, the two key types of variables used by the valuation technique are:

•  

forward price curves (for the relevant underlying interest rates, foreign exchange rates or electricity prices), or

•   discount rates.

The selection of variables requires significant judgement and, therefore, there is a range of reasonably possible assumptions in 
respect of these variables that could be used in estimating the fair value of these derivatives. Maximum use is made of observable 
market data when selecting variables and developing assumptions for the valuation techniques.

Financial instruments by category
The following tables provide an analysis of financial assets and financial liabilities by category.

Group 
2009

Assets

Held for 
trading
$000

Loans and 
receivables
$000

Note

Available-
for-sale 
financial 
assets*
$000

Derivatives 
designated 
as fair value 
hedging 
instruments
$000

Derivatives 
designated 
as cash flow 
hedging 
instruments
$000

Other 
financial 
liabilities
$000

Total
$000

15

16

26

24

25

26

27

Cash and short term deposits

Receivables and prepayments

Derivative financial instruments

Available-for-sale financial assets

Total financial assets

Total non-financial assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Payables and accruals

Total financial liabilities

Total non-financial liabilities

Total liabilities

*   Refer to note 24.

 – 

 – 

 179,220 

 253,836

 1,539 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,539 

 433,056 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 2,935 

 2,935 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 4,103 

 15,942 

 – 

 – 

 179,220 

 253,836

 21,584 

 2,935 

 4,103 

 15,942 

 457,575

 4,973,964 

 5,431,539 

 – 

 40,013 

 – 

 40,013 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,237,079 

 – 

 – 

 1,237,079 

 – 

 58,922 

 59,338 

 158,273 

 304,235

 – 

 – 

 304,235 

 1,541,314

 58,922 

 59,338 

 1,699,587

 789,684 

 2,489,271 

 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  99

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Group 
2008

Assets

Held for 
trading
$000

Loans and 
receivables
$000

Note

Available-
for-sale 
financial 
assets*
$000

Derivatives 
designated 
as fair value 
hedging 
instruments
$000

Derivatives 
designated 
as cash flow 
hedging 
instruments
$000

Other 
financial 
liabilities
$000

Total
$000

15

16

26

24

25

26

27

Cash and short term deposits

Receivables and prepayments

Derivative financial instruments

Available-for-sale financial assets

Total financial assets

Total non-financial assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Payables and accruals

Total financial liabilities

Total non-financial liabilities

Total liabilities

 – 

 – 

 2,542 

 517,365 

 21,862 

 – 

 – 

 – 

21,862 

 519,907 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 2,935 

 2,935 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 2,542 

 517,365 

 44,632 

 66,494

 – 

 2,935 

 44,632 

 589,336 

 4,652,007 

 5,241,343

 – 

 (577) 

 – 

(577) 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 687,536 

 – 

 – 

 687,536 

 – 

 191,255 

 143,529 

 334,207 

 540,619 

 – 

 – 

 540,619 

 1,228,155 

 191,255 

143,529 

 1,562,362 

 774,910 

 2,337,272

*   Refer to note 24.

Parent 
2009

Assets

Cash and short term deposits

Receivables and prepayments

Derivative financial instruments

Available-for-sale financial assets

Total financial assets

Total non-financial assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Payables and accruals

Total financial liabilities

Total non-financial liabilities

Total liabilities

*   Refer to note 24.

Held for 
trading
$000

Loans and 
receivables
$000

Note

15

16

26

24

25

26

27

 – 

 – 

 177,848 

 224,786 

 1,539 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,539 

 402,634 

 – 

 40,013 

 – 

 40,013 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Available-
for-sale 
financial 
assets*
$000

Derivatives 
designated 
as fair value 
hedging 
instruments
$000

Derivatives 
designated 
as cash flow 
hedging 
instruments
$000

Other 
financial 
liabilities
$000

Total
$000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 177,848 

 224,786 

 4,103 

 15,942 

 21,584 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 4,103 

 15,942 

 424,218 

 4,955,361 

 5,379,579 

 1,235,710 

 – 

 – 

 1,235,710 

 – 

 58,922 

 59,287 

 158,222 

 338,246

 – 

 – 

 338,246 

 1,573,956

 58,922 

 59,287 

 1,732,178

 785,078 

 2,517,256 

 
100 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Parent 
2008

Assets

Cash and short term deposits

Receivables and prepayments

Derivative financial instruments

Available-for-sale financial assets

Total financial assets

Total non-financial assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Payables and accruals

Total financial liabilities

Total non-financial liabilities

Total liabilities

*   Refer to note 24.

Held for 
trading
$000

Loans and 
receivables
$000

Note

15

16

26

24

25

26

27

 – 

 – 

 – 

 488,987 

 21,862 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 21,862

 488,987 

 – 

 (577)

 – 

 (577) 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Available-
for-sale 
financial 
assets*
$000

Derivatives 
designated 
as fair value 
hedging 
instruments
$000

Derivatives 
designated 
as cash flow 
hedging 
instruments
$000

Other 
financial 
liabilities
$000

Total
$000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 488,987 

 44,632 

 66,494 

 – 

 – 

 44,632

 555,481 

 4,634,297 

 5,189,778 

 685,079 

 – 

 – 

 685,079 

 – 

 191,255 

 143,271 

 333,949

 522,949 

 – 

 – 

 522,949 

 1,208,028 

 191,255

 143,271 

 1,541,977

 769,689 

 2,311,666 

Capital risk management objectives
Contact’s capital includes share capital, reserves and retained earnings. Contact’s objectives when managing capital are to 
safeguard Contact’s ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits 
for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Board may adjust the amount and nature of distributions to shareholders, 
return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets.

Contact monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio. This ratio is calculated as net debt divided by total capital funding. 

Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less short term deposits. Total borrowings are calculated using the New Zealand  
dollar equivalent value of unsecured loans after the effect of foreign exchange hedging of the borrowings and before deduction  
of deferred financing costs.

 Total capital funding is calculated as shareholders’ equity, adjusted for the net effect of the fair value of financial instruments, 
plus net debt.

The gearing ratios at 30 June 2009 and 30 June 2008 were as follows:

Net debt

Current borrowings

New Zealand dollar equivalent of term borrowings – after foreign exchange hedging and before 
deferred financing costs

Fixed rate bond before deferred financing costs

Other non-current borrowings

Cash and short term deposits

Total net debt

Equity

Shareholders’ equity

Remove net effect of fair value of financial instruments after tax

Adjusted equity

Total capital funding

Gearing ratio

Group 
 30 June 2009 
$000

Group 
 30 June 2008 
$000

Note

25

25

25

25

15

 (4,311)

 (132,811)

 (747,527)

 (747,527)

 (550,000)

 (1,535)

 179,220 

–

 (604)

 2,542 

 (1,124,153)

 (878,400)

12, 13

 (2,942,268)

 (2,904,071)

 (57,298)

 (51,210)

 (2,999,566)

 (2,955,281)

 (4,123,719)

 (3,833,681)

27%

23%

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

27 Payables and accruals 

Electricity purchases accrual

Other trade payables and accruals

Advances from subsidiaries

Employee benefits

Interest payable

Total payables and accruals

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  101

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 46,012 

 230,999 

 – 

 14,723 

 12,501 

 250,163 

 263,828 

 – 

 18,681 

 7,947 

 39,943 

193,467 

 78,250 

 14,085 

 12,501 

 205,756 

 235,608 

 55,741 

 17,897 

 7,947 

304,235

540,619

338,246

522,949

The purchase price that Contact paid for electricity to supply its customers was considerably lower in June 2009 than in  
June 2008 as a result of lower prices in the wholesale market. Consequently, the electricity purchases accrual is lower than  
at 30 June 2008.

28 Provisions 

Group

Balance at 1 July 2007

Provisions made during the year

Provisions used during the year

Provisions reversed during the year

Unwind of discount rate

Balance at 30 June 2008

Balance at 1 July 2008

Provisions made during the year

Provisions used during the year

Provisions reversed during the year

Unwind of discount rate

Balance at 30 June 2009

Current

Non-current

Restoration/ 
environmental 
rehabilitation
$000

New Plymouth
$000

 – 

 31,457 

 (12,620)

 – 

 – 

 18,837 

 18,837 

 – 

 (15,352)

 – 

 – 

 3,485 

 3,485 

 – 

 3,485 

 29,110 

 3,272 

 (1,388)

 (481)

 2,746 

 33,259 

 33,259 

 3,295 

 (3,129)

 (1,215)

 3,999 

 36,209 

 4,137 

 32,072 

 36,209 

Other
$000

 295 

 2,958 

 (652)

 (125)

 – 

 2,476 

 2,476 

 165 

 (390)

 – 

 – 

 2,251 

 573 

 1,678 

 2,251 

Total
$000

 29,405 

 37,687 

 (14,660)

 (606)

 2,746 

 54,572 

 54,572 

 3,460 

 (18,871)

 (1,215)

 3,999 

 41,945 

 8,195 

 33,750 

 41,945 

102 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Parent

Balance at 1 July 2007

Provisions made during the year

Provisions used during the year

Provisions reversed during the year

Unwind of discount rate

Balance at 30 June 2008

Balance at 1 July 2008

Provisions made during the year

Provisions used during the year

Unwind of discount rate

Balance at 30 June 2009

Current

Non-current

Restoration/
 environmental 
rehabilitation
$000

New Plymouth
$000

 – 

 31,457 

 (12,620)

 – 

 – 

 18,837 

 18,837 

 – 

 (15,352)

 – 

 3,485 

 3,485 

 – 

 3,485 

 26,621 

 3,272 

 (1,365)

 – 

 2,606 

 31,134 

 31,134 

 3,295 

 (3,068)

 2,972 

 34,333 

 3,895 

 30,438 

 34,333 

Other
$000

 295 

 2,958 

 (652)

 (125)

 – 

 2,476 

 2,476 

 165 

 (390)

 – 

 2,251 

 573 

 1,678 

 2,251 

Total
$000

 26,916 

 37,687 

 (14,637)

 (125)

 2,606 

 52,447 

 52,447 

 3,460 

 (18,810)

 2,972 

 40,069 

 7,953 

 32,116 

 40,069 

Refer to note 4 for discussion on the provision for removal of asbestos at New Plymouth power station. Cash outflows in relation 
to this are expected to occur within the next year.

The restoration and environmental rehabilitation provisions include estimates of future expenditures for the abandonment  
and restoration of areas from which natural resources are extracted and the expected cost of environmental rehabilitation of 
commercial sites that require remediation of conditions resulting from present operations. Cash outflows are typically expected 
to coincide with the end of the useful life of the sites. 

Other provisions cover a range of commercial matters that are the subject of legal privilege and/or confidentiality arrangements. 

 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  103

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

29 Deferred tax

Recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset on the face of the Balance Sheet where they relate to entities within a Consolidated 
Income Tax Group.

Group

Property, plant and equipment

Investment in associate

Inventories

Employee benefits

Provisions

Financial instruments

Other

Total

Parent

Property, plant and equipment

Investment in associate

Inventories

Employee benefits

Provisions

Financial instruments

Other

Total

Movement in deferred tax

Group

Assets
30 June 2009
$000

Assets
30 June 2008
$000

Liabilities
30 June 2009
$000

Liabilities
30 June 2008
$000

 – 

 – 

 2,179 

 4,241 

 15,173 

 23,889 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (783,827)

 (763,392)

 (2,235)

 (2,071)

 1,759 

 5,166 

 18,007 

 22,930 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (3,512)

 (861)

 45,482 

 47,862 

 (789,574)

 (766,324)

Assets
30 June 2009
$000

Assets
30 June 2008
$000

Liabilities
30 June 2009
$000

Liabilities
30 June 2008
$000

 – 

 – 

 2,179 

 4,053 

 14,048 

 23,889 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,759 

 4,930 

 16,930 

 22,853 

 (780,996)

 (761,677)

 (174)

 (174)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (4,237)

 (1,863)

 44,169 

 46,472 

 (785,407)

 (763,714)

Balance
1 July 2008
$000

Recognised in 
income
$000

Recognised in 
equity
$000

Change in 
tax rate*
$000

Balance
30 June 2009
$000

Property, plant and equipment**

 (763,392)

 (20,435)

Investment in associate

Inventories

Employee benefits

Provisions

Financial instruments

Other

Total

 (2,071)

 1,759 

 5,166 

 18,007 

 22,930 

 (861)

 1,133 

 420 

 (925)

 (3,822)

 17,431 

 (2,651)

 – 

 (1,297)

 – 

 – 

 988 

 (16,472)

 – 

 (718,462)

 (8,849)

 (16,781)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (783,827)

 (2,235)

 2,179 

 4,241 

 15,173 

 23,889 

 (3,512)

 (744,092)

104 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Group

Balance
1 July 2007
$000

Recognised in 
income
$000

Recognised in 
equity
$000

Change in 
tax rate*
$000

Balance
30 June 2008
$000

Property, plant and equipment**

 (749,850)

 (15,400)

 (1,516)

 1,614 

 4,813 

 10,783 

 (9,504)

 1,487 

 (833)

 321 

 840 

 7,168 

 636 

 (2,523)

 – 

 278 

 – 

 – 

 1,080 

 35,129 

 – 

 1,858 

 (763,392)

 – 

 (176)

 (487)

 (1,024)

 (3,331)

 175 

 (2,071)

 1,759 

 5,166 

 18,007 

 22,930 

 (861)

 (742,173)

 (9,791)

 36,487 

 (2,985)

 (718,462)

Balance
1 July 2008
$000

Recognised in 
income
$000

Recognised in 
equity
$000

Change in 
tax rate*
$000

Balance
30 June 2009
$000

 (174)

 1,759 

 4,930 

 16,930 

 22,853 

 (1,863)

 – 

 420 

 (877)

 (3,870)

 17,430 

 (2,374)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 988 

 (16,394)

 – 

 (717,242)

 (8,590)

 (15,406)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (780,996)

 (174)

 2,179 

 4,053 

 14,048 

 23,889 

 (4,237)

 (741,238)

Balance
1 July 2007
$000

Recognised in 
income
$000

Recognised in 
equity
$000

Change in 
tax rate*
$000

Balance
30 June 2008
$000

 (174)

 1,614 

 4,472 

 9,458 

 (9,803)

 175 

 – 

 321 

 921 

 7,378 

 634 

 (2,224)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,080 

 35,345 

 – 

 1,853 

 (761,677)

 – 

 (176)

 (463)

 (986)

 (3,323)

 186 

 (174)

 1,759 

 4,930 

 16,930 

 22,853 

 (1,863)

 (743,073)

 (7,685)

 36,425 

 (2,909)

 (717,242)

Property, plant and equipment**

 (761,677)

 (19,319)

Property, plant and equipment**

 (748,815)

 (14,715)

Investment in associate

Inventories

Employee benefits

Provisions

Financial instruments

Other

Total

Parent

Investment in associate

Inventories

Employee benefits

Provisions

Financial instruments

Other

Total

Parent

Investment in associate

Inventories

Employee benefits

Provisions

Financial instruments

Other

Total

*   

 The change in tax rate column reflects the net change in deferred tax as a result of the reduction in the corporate income tax 
rate to 30 per cent enacted in May 2007 and effective for Contact’s income tax year ending 30 June 2009. The effect of the 
change was recognised in the Income Statement in 2008 (Group $0.4 million and Parent $0.5 million) and in equity (Group 
and Parent $3.4 million) consistent with the underlying items that gave rise to the deferred tax.

**     Deferred tax on the revaluation increment of generation property, plant and equipment as at 30 June 2007 is recorded 

against the asset revaluation reserve in equity. Refer to note 13. Contact holds its property, plant and equipment on capital 
account for income tax purposes. Where the generation plant and equipment and generation capital work in progress is 
revalued, and there is no similar adjustment to the tax base, a taxable temporary difference is created that is recognised in 
deferred tax. The deferred tax liability on these revaluations would not crystallise under existing income tax legislation if the 
assets were to be sold at the balance sheet date. At 30 June 2009, the amount of deferred tax relating to the revaluation of 
generation plant and equipment and generation capital work in progress was $535.7 million (2008: $563.5 million). 

Unrecognised deferred tax assets and liabilities
There are no unrecognised deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

30 Commitments

Capital and investment commitments

Not later than one year

Later than one year and not later than five years

Later than five years

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  105

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 173,612 

 75,658 

 551 

 151,429 

 108,481 

 3,814 

 173,426 

 75,658 

 551 

 151,429 

 108,481 

 3,814 

Total capital and investment commitments

 249,821 

 263,724 

 249,635 

 263,724 

Operating lease commitments
The operating leases are of a rental nature and are on normal commercial terms and conditions. The majority of the lease 
commitments are for building accommodation. The remainder relate to vehicles, plant and equipment.

Not later than one year

Later than one year and not later than five years

Later than five years

Total operating lease commitments

Lease commitments are stated exclusive of GST.

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

 6,592 

 13,395 

 9,728 

 5,780 

 14,319 

 11,959 

 4,796 

 10,816 

 5,114 

 4,134 

 11,381 

 7,608 

 29,715 

 32,058 

 20,726 

 23,123 

Other operating commitments
Other operating commitments comprise a portion of long term maintenance agreements entered into for generation assets,  
with the remainder of commitments under these agreements included in capital and investment commitments.

Not later than one year

Later than one year and not later than five years

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

6,661 

5,703 

5,172

9,962

6,661 

5,703 

5,172

9,962

Total other operating commitments

12,364

15,134

12,364

15,134

106 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Gas commitments

Maui contracts with Maui Development Limited
Contact has entered into four contracts to secure Maui gas with Maui Development Limited, each with a 1 April 2007 first 
delivery date and a 31 December 2014 expiry date. Delivery of gas from early 2014 is subject to confirmation of sufficient  
Maui reserves. Under the four contracts and while the contracts remain in effect, Contact has agreed to make fixed annual 
payments for the right to take gas. The contracts require Contact to have arrangements in place in order to transport the gas  
in the Maui pipeline.

Shell New Zealand Limited
Contact has a contract with Energy Finance NZ Limited (a Shell New Zealand Limited subsidiary), whereby Contact has agreed  
to make fixed monthly payments over the period 1 October 2007 to 31 December 2010 for the right to take gas.

OMV New Zealand Limited
Contact has contracts with OMV New Zealand Limited giving Contact rights to gas from the Pohokura gas field until 31 December 
2013. Under the current contract that expires on 31 March 2012, Contact is committed to pay fixed fees and may have to pay 
additional fees if the amount of gas actually uplifted is less than a contractually specified amount on each day. Under the second 
contract that has a first delivery date of 1 April 2012 and expiry date of 31 December 2013, Contact has agreed to make fixed 
annual payments for the right to take gas. 

Both contracts require Contact to have arrangements in place to transport the gas in the Maui pipeline.

Gas transmission contracts
Contact has contracts with Vector Gas Limited relating to the transport of natural gas. Under these contracts, Contact is 
committed to pay minimum fees for reserved pipeline capacity.

31 Resource consents

Contact requires resource consents (authorisations to use land, water and air obtained under the Resource Management Act 
1991) to enable it to operate its geothermal, thermal and hydro power stations. The duration of resource consents may vary  
up to a maximum of 35 years except for land use consents, which run for the duration of the activity they authorise. The current 
resource consents within which Contact’s power stations operate are due for renewal at varying times. 

In addition to consents for its existing operational power stations, Contact holds resource consents to construct and operate  
a new 400 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle power station (Otahuhu C) and has the ability to construct and operate a 120 MW 
open-cycle power station under its existing consents (Otahuhu A), both at its Otahuhu site. Contact also has consents to 
construct and operate an up to 500 MW combined-cycle power station at its Stratford site (TCC 2). Lapse dates on the consents 
for the combined-cycle plants have been extended to 2011 (Otahuhu C) and 2017 (TCC 2). 

Contact also has consents to construct and operate a net 220 MW geothermal power station at Te Mihi (near Taupo), a 200 MW 
gas-fired peaking power station at Stratford and a 20 MW geothermal binary plant at Taupo. Construction of the Stratford 
gas-fired peaking power station and the geothermal binary plant has started. Contact is applying for a variation of consents  
to allow the geothermal binary plant at Taupo to operate at 23 MW.

Contact has obtained consents to construct and operate a 17.2 MW hydro power station on the Hawea dam. 

In addition, Contact has applied to vary one of its Clutha hydro consents which would provide a greater operating range  
in Lake Roxburgh.

Contact has filed applications for a 177 MW wind farm at Waitahora, near Dannevirke in the Manawatu. Initial consents  
have been declined, and Contact has appealed to the Environment Court and is currently awaiting formal court mediation.
Contact has also filed applications for an up to 540 MW wind farm on the west Waikato coast called Haua–uru ma– raki. The 
applications were called in by the Minister for the Environment to be heard by a board of inquiry. The hearing commenced  
in April 2009 and has been adjourned for 12 months until May 2010.

32 Related party transactions

Parent company
As at 30 June 2009, Origin Energy Pacific Holdings Limited was the major shareholder in the Parent, owning 50.6 per cent 
(2008: 50.6 per cent) of the ordinary shares of the Parent. 

Further shares amounting to 0.8 per cent (2008: 0.8 per cent) of the Parent’s ordinary shares are held by Origin Energy  
Universal Holdings Limited and Origin Energy New Zealand Limited. All three companies are 100 per cent ultimately owned  
by Origin Energy Limited, an Australian incorporated company.

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  107

Identity of related parties with whom material transactions have occurred
Notes 21, 22, and 23 identify group entities, associates and joint ventures in which Contact has an interest. All of these entities  
are related parties of the Parent.

Related parties also include other Origin Energy Group entities, the Directors and members of the Senior Management Team.

Material related party transactions

Transactions with ultimate parent entity
•  

 David Baldwin, Managing Director of Contact, is seconded to Contact from his employer Origin. Fees incurred or accrued  
during the year ended 30 June 2009 in relation to David’s role as Managing Director totalled $1.0 million (2008: $1.1 million), 
which includes the cost of his salary and other employment benefits including the 2008/09 short term performance incentive.  
At 30 June 2009 $0.2 million (2008: $0.5 million) of this amount remained outstanding. In addition, he received share-based 
payments under the Parent’s long term incentive scheme amounting to $0.5 million (2008: $0.3 million), being the fair value  
of the share-based payments allocated to this reporting period. Refer to note 14.

•  

•  

•  

•  

•  

 In the period ending 30 June 2009, Origin was employed for consulting work on the Stratford Peaker project. Transactions 
totalled $0.1 million, all of which is outstanding at 30 June 2009.

 During the year Contact and Origin undertook a joint marketing project for renewal of both parties’ insurance cover. Contact and 
Origin are covered under separate policies.

 On 12 June 2008, Contact’s ultimate parent company Origin acquired certain New Zealand oil and gas assets from Swift for 
approximately $110.0 million. Among these assets was a PML to an area that includes the Ahuroa reservoir. Contact paid  
$52.0 million of the total purchase price to Origin effectively in exchange for a beneficial interest in the PML as it relates to  
the Ahuroa reservoir and the gas and LPG reserves contained therein. Contact is developing the Ahuroa field as an underground 
gas storage facility. Refer to notes 19 and 20. 

 A further payment relating to the initial gas and LPG reserves acquired as part of the acquisition of the gas storage rights of  
$2.6 million was made to Origin in April 2009 following an independent reservoir measurement as at the date of acquisition.

 Contact and Origin have entered into a Master Services Agreement for the provision of professional, consulting and/or 
administrative services between the parties. During the year, Contact had one member of the Senior Management Team on 
secondment at Origin under this agreement. The reimbursement for the secondment is at arm’s length and is outstanding at 
balance sheet date. There were no other payments for services entered into under this agreement for the year ended 30 June 
2009 or 30 June 2008.

-   Contact and Origin are party to a Statement of Work dated 27 April 2007 relating to the provision of transitional services  

in connection with the sale of the Rockgas Limited business.

-   Contact and Origin are party to a Statement of Work dated 28 August 2007 relating to the acquisition of the New Zealand 

assets of Swift. 

Transactions with other Origin related parties
•  

 During the year ended 30 June 2009, Contact had transactions with Origin Energy Resources NZ Limited, a subsidiary of  
Origin, in respect to the development and operation of the Ahuroa gas storage facility. During the year, the transactions  
totalled $3.8 million. At 30 June 2009, there are outstanding fees of $0.6 million relating to management costs.

•  

 Contact and Origin Energy Resources have entered into a LPG Gas Sales Agreement for the supply of LPG from the Rimu 
Production Station and any LPG produced from the Waihapa Production Station. Transactions for the year totalled $2.9 million 
(2008: nil), of which $0.2 million (2008: nil) remained outstanding at 30 June 2009.

Transactions with subsidiaries
•  

 Advances to/from subsidiaries and loan from associate are included in notes 16, 25 and 27 respectively. Advances are repayable 
on demand and are interest free.

•  

•  

•  

 The Parent had transactions with Empower Limited, a 100 per cent owned subsidiary, in respect of electricity charges, network 
charges and management fees, which are calculated at arm’s length. These charges totalled $16.0 million (2008: $16.7 million). 
All balances are settled through the intercompany account.

 The Parent had transactions with Stratford Power Limited, a 100 per cent owned subsidiary, in respect of gas purchases, which 
are calculated at arm’s length. Purchases from Stratford Power Limited totalled $115.2 million (2008: $104.2 million) of which 
$11.0 million (2008: $10.1 million) was outstanding at 30 June 2009.

 Contact pays various operating expenses on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiaries, which are passed directly on to those 
subsidiaries.

 
 
108 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Transactions with Directors and key management personnel
•  

 Fees paid or accrued to Directors and Officers of Origin for director services totalled $0.4 million for the year  
(2008: $0.1 million). Outstanding amounts at 30 June 2009 totalled $0.1 million (2008: $0.1 million).

•  

 New Zealand based Directors and members of the Senior Management Team purchase gas and electricity from  
the Group for domestic purposes.

Transactions with other related parties
•  

 Rockgas Limited had transactions with Origin Energy LPG Limited, Origin Energy Contracting Limited and Origin Energy 
Resources Limited, all entities within the Origin Energy Group, in respect of the purchase and shipping of LPG. The 
transactions are calculated at arm’s length. During the year ended 30 June 2009, transactions totalled $45.0 million  
(2008: $49.5 million). At 30 June 2009, $4.6 million (2008: $6.0 million) remained outstanding.

•  

 Rockgas Limited had transactions with Rockgas Timaru Limited (Rockgas Timaru), an associate, in respect of the supply of 
LPG to Rockgas Timaru (30 June 2009: $1.1 million (2008: $1.0 million)) and the provision of deliveries by Rockgas Timaru 
(30 June 2009: $0.3 million (2008: $0.1 million)), which are calculated at arm’s length. At 30 June 2009, a receivable of 
$0.2 million (2008: $0.3 million) remained outstanding.

33 Key management personnel

The table below includes the aggregate remuneration for the Directors, the Managing Director and members of the Senior 
Management Team.

Group
30 June 2009
$000

Group
30 June 2008
$000

Parent
30 June 2009
$000

Parent
30 June 2008
$000

Note

Directors’ fees

 853 

 770 

 853 

 770 

Managing Director and Senior Management Team

Salary and other short term benefits

Share-based payments

Total Managing Director and Senior Management Team

Total key management personnel

14

4,911 

 1,050 

 5,961

6,814

 5,566 

 933 

 6,499 

 7,269 

4,911 

 1,050

 5,961

6,814 

 5,566 

 933 

 6,499 

 7,269 

Details of the total remuneration and the value of other benefits paid to (or accrued for) each Director of Contact are as follows:

Group and Parent
For the year ended 30 June 2009
Director**

G King

P Pryke

B Beeren

J Milne

K Moses

T Saunders

S Sheldon (appointed 16 March 2009)

Position

Chairman

Deputy Chairman

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

D Baldwin (appointed 16 March 2009)***

Managing Director

Board fees
$

 133,333 

 150,000 

 100,000 

 100,000 

 66,667 

 100,000 

 29,445 

 – 

Committee
fees
$

Total  
remuneration*
$

 – 

 – 

 44,714 

 77,500 

 10,000 

 33,150 

 7,842 

 – 

 133,333 

 150,000 

 144,714 

 177,500 

 76,667 

 133,150 

 37,287 

 – 

Total

 679,445 

 173,206 

 852,651 

 
Contact Energy Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2009

Group and Parent
For the year ended 30 June 2008
Director 

G King

P Pryke

B Beeren

J Milne

K Moses

T Saunders

Total

  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  109

Position

Chairman

Deputy Chairman

Director

Director

Director

Director

Board fees
$

 – 

 150,000 

 100,000 

 100,000 

 – 

Committee
fees
$

Total  
remuneration*
$

 – 

 214,815 

 27,000 

 50,000 

 – 

 – 

 364,815 

 127,000 

 150,000 

 – 

 100,000 

 28,150 

 128,150 

 450,000 

 319,965 

 769,965 

* 

 Pursuant to Contact’s constitution, Directors are not entitled to any payment in connection with their retirement or 
cessation of office.

**    Remuneration paid and payable to Origin associated Directors Grant King, Bruce Beeren and Karen Moses is paid to them 

in their individual capacities and complies with the NZX waiver dated 12 May 2008.

*** David Baldwin, as Managing Director, does not receive any fees in his capacity as an Executive Director.

34 Whirinaki generation plant

Contact is contracted to operate the Crown-owned reserve generation plant at Whirinaki in Hawke’s Bay.

Contact owns the Whirinaki site and has agreed to lease it to the Crown until June 2015. The Crown owns the plant and has 
engaged Contact to operate and maintain it until June 2015.

Under the Project Development agreement entered into in 2003, the Crown agreed to pay Contact compensation for loss of  
use of the site. Contact also received a fee for project managing construction of the plant, and receives an annual fee under  
the Operating and Maintenance Management Services Agreement. 

35 Contingent liabilities

There are no known material contingent liabilities (2008: Nil). 

36 Subsequent events

On 13 August 2009, the Board declared a distribution in the form of a non-taxable bonus issue for the year ended 30 June 
2009 equivalent to 17 cents per share, for shares on issue at 28 August 2009, the record date, with bonus shares allotted  
and/or cash distributed if elected on 22 September 2009. Refer to note 10. 

110 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Audit Report
To the shareholders of Contact Energy Limited

We have audited the financial statements on pages 56 to 109. The financial statements provide information about the past 
financial performance and financial position of the company and the group as at 30 June 2009. This information is stated in 
accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 61 to 70.

Directors’ responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for the preparation of financial statements which give a true and fair view of the financial 
position of the company and group as at 30 June 2009 and the results of their operations and cash flows for the year ended  
on that date.

Auditors’ responsibilities
It is our responsibility to express an independent opinion on the financial statements presented by the Directors and report 
our opinion to you.

Basis of opinion
An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  
It also includes assessing:

• 

• 

the significant estimates and judgements made by the Directors in the preparation of the financial statements;

 whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the company’s and group’s circumstances, consistently applied and 
adequately disclosed.

We conducted our audit in accordance with New Zealand Auditing Standards. We planned and performed our audit so as to 
obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence  
to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatements, whether caused by  
fraud or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the 
financial statements.

Our firm has also provided other assurance services to the company. Partners and employees of our firm may deal with  
the company and group on normal terms within the ordinary course of trading activities of the business of the company  
and group. These matters have not impaired our independence as auditors of the company and group. The firm has no  
other relationship with or interest in the company or any of its subsidiaries.

Unqualified opinion
We have obtained all the information and explanations we have required.

In our opinion:

• 

• 

proper accounting records have been kept by the company as far as appears from our examination of those records;

the financial statements on pages 56 to 109:

–   comply with New Zealand generally accepted accounting practice;

–  

 give a true and fair view of the financial position of the company and group as at 30 June 2009 and the results  
of their operations and cash flows for the year ended on that date.

Our audit was completed on 13 August 2009 and our unqualified opinion is expressed as at that date.

Wellington

 
 
 
  Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009 

  111

Corporate directory

Board of Directors
Grant King, Chairman
Phillip Pryke, Deputy Chairman
David Baldwin, Managing Director
Bruce Beeren
John Milne
Karen Moses
Sue Sheldon

Senior management 
David Baldwin, Managing Director
Steve Bielby, General Counsel and Company Secretary
Graham Cockroft, Chief Operating Officer
Jason Delamore, General Manager, Retail
Luc Hennekens, Chief Information Officer and General Manager, ICT
Liz Kelly, General Manager, Development and Acquisitions
Nigel Thomson, Acting Chief Financial Officer

Head office
Level 1, Harbour City Tower
29 Brandon Street, Wellington, New Zealand

Postal address
PO Box 10742, The Terrace, Wellington 6143, New Zealand
Telephone 64 4 499 4001 Facsimile 64 4 499 4003
Email: investor.centre@contactenergy.co.nz
Website: www.contactenergy.co.nz

NZX trading code: CEN
Company number: 660760

112 

Contact Energy Limited Annual Report 2009   

Share registrar
Computershare Investor Services Limited
Private Bag 92119
Auckland 1142
159 Hurstmere Road
Takapuna, North Shore City 0622

Shareholder enquiries
To change your address, add or change your bank account and to view your registered details including 
transactions, please visit:
www.computershare.co.nz/investorcentre

General enquiries can be directed to:
enquiry@computershare.co.nz
Private Bag 92119, Auckland 1142
Telephone +64 9 488 8777 Facsimile +64 9 488 8787
Please assist our registrar by quoting your CSN or shareholder number.

General enquiries on the company’s operating and financial performance should be made to the company at:
General Manager, Development and Acquisitions
Contact Energy Limited
PO Box 10742, The Terrace, Wellington 6143
Email: investor.centre@contactenergy.co.nz

Financial calendar

Final distribution announced
Record date for final distribution
Cut-off date for receipt of election notices for buy back of bonus shares  
under Profit Distribution Plan
Final distribution date
End of first quarter
Annual meeting
Half year end
Results announcement for the half year ended 31 December 2009
End of third quarter
Financial year end

14 August 2009

28 August 2009

Noon, 17 September 2009
22 September 2009
30 September 2009
22 October 2009
31 December 2009
February 2010
31 March 2010
30 June 2010

 
 
 
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