Pioneer Schemes
Sometimes, the first customer to connect in a new area pays for the electricity network to be extended to reach their site. If other customers connect later and use that same extension, it's fair that they contribute to the cost of that extension.
That’s where a pioneer scheme applies - it helps ensure extension costs are shared more evenly over time as other customers connect and benefit from that extension.
How a pioneer scheme works
- The first customer to fund a qualifying network extension becomes the pioneer.
- If later customers connect and use that extension within a defined period, they may be required to contribute to its cost.
- Those contributions are then rebated to the pioneer (in full or in part, depending on the scheme).
Centralines is responsible for administering pioneer schemes on its network. This includes:
- determining whether a connection qualifies for a pioneer scheme
- identifying later connections that may need to contribute
- calculating contributions and rebates
- collecting contributions and paying rebates.
What this means for you:
- If you are the first to connect in a new area, you may receive contributions back if others connect later.
- If you connect into an area covered by a pioneer scheme, you may contribute to an earlier network extension.
This is designed to avoid situations where one customer pays significantly more than others simply because of timing.
When a pioneer scheme applies
Pioneer schemes are required, regulated and governed by the Electricity Authority. Under the Electricity Authority’s rules:
- Pioneer schemes apply to qualifying network extensions over $50,000 (Inflation-adjusted from Dec 2025 dollar term)
- Pioneer schemes operate for operate for a limited period, after which no further contributions are required.
Pioneer schemes do not apply to:
- real estate developments undertaken for the purpose of on‑selling
- connections below $50,000.
Centralines' detailed approach – including thresholds, timeframes and how rebates are calculated – is set out in our Pioneer Scheme Policy.
Active Pioneer Schemes
Centralines currently has no active pioneer schemes on its network.
Pioneer Scheme FAQs
If you are the first person to fund a network extension, later users who benefit from that extension may contribute to you through a formal arrangement. This makes the process fairer over time.
A distributor can decide whether pioneer status applies to an applicant, the connection itself, or some other approach. A distributor is required to set out in their pioneer scheme policy whether, and in what circumstances, the status of a first pioneer or subsequent pioneer may transfer to a a new occupant or owner of that connection.
Note, the pioneer scheme requirements were clarified following the technical consultation on the Code drafting. The amendment clarified that distributors have discretion in their pioneer scheme policy to specify how eligibility is managed.
Centralines can decide whether pioneer status applies to an applicant, the connection itself, or some other approach. Centralines’ pioneer scheme policy sets out whether, and in what circumstances, the status of a first pioneer or subsequent pioneer may transfer to a new occupant or owner of that connection.
A real estate development is a development of land for the purpose of on-selling. Therefore, Centralines isn’t required to apply a pioneer scheme to a commercial or industrial connection if the purpose is to on-sell the premises. If the purpose of the development is not to on-sell the premises, then the pioneer scheme requirements apply.