Contact Energy Limited logo

Contact Energy – FY18 Results and Full Year Report

Full Year Results12 August 2018CENUtilities

Contact Energy Limited
Results for announcement to the market

Basis of Report Audited

Reporting Period 12 months to 30 June 2018

Previous Reporting Period

1

12 months to 30 June 2017

Amount ($m) Percentage

change

Operating Revenue and Other Income 2,283 9.8%

Earnings Before Net Interest Expense, Tax, Depreciation,

Amortisation, Change in Fair Value of Financial Instruments and

Other Significant Items (EBITDAF)

481 -4.0%


Profit/(loss) After Tax 132 -12.6%

Underlying Profit

2

130 -8.5%

Basic Earnings Per Share (Cents)


18.4 -12.4%

Diluted Earnings Per Share (Cents) 18.4 -12.4%

Underlying Profit Per Share (Cents)

2

- Basic 18.1 -9.0%

Net Tangible Assets Per Share (Dollars) 4.48 -2.6%


Distribution


Equivalent

amount per

security

Imputed amount per security

Cash dividend $0.19 $0.03


Record Date 30 August 2018

Dividend Payment Date 18 September 2018


Comments: Figures above are the combined result and position for the continuing operations and

discontinued operation.

1. The previous reporting period has been restated for the adoption of NZ IFRS 15

Revenue from Contracts with Customers and NZ IFRS 16 Leases.

2. Underlying Profit and Underlying Profit per Share exclude significant items that do not

reflect the ongoing performance of the Group. This is a non-statutory measure.

Attachments:

 Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2018

 KPMG Audit Report

 NZX Appendix 7

 Media Release

 Investor Presentation

---

APPENDIX 7 – NZSX Listing Rules
Number of pages including this one

(Please provide any other relevant

NZSX Listing Rule 7.12.2. For rights, NZSX Listing Rules 7.10.9 and 7.10.10. details on additional pages)

For change to allotment, NZSX Listing Rule 7.12.1, a separate advice is required.

Full name

of Issuer

Name of officer authorised to

Authority for event,

make this notice

e.g. Directors' resolution

Contact phone

Contact fax

numbernumber

Date

Nature of event

BonusIf ticked,

Rights Issue

Tick as appropriate

Issue

state whether:Taxable

/ Non TaxableConversionInterestRenouncable

Rights IssueCapitalCallDividend

If ticked, stateFull

non-renouncable

change

X

whether:

InterimYear

X

SpecialDRP Applies

EXISTING securities affected by this

If more than one security is affected by the event, use a separate form.

Description of theISIN

class of securities

If unknown, contact NZX

Details of securities issued pursuant to this eventIf more than one class of security is to be issued, use a separate form for each class.

Description of theISIN

class of securities

If unknown, contact NZX

Number of Securities toMinimum

Ratio, e.g

be issued following eventEntitlement

1 for 2 for

Conversion, Maturity, Call

Treatment of Fractions

Payable or Exercise Date

Tick if

provide an

pari passu

ORexplanation

Strike price per security for any issue in lieu or date

of the

Strike Price available.

ranking

Monies Associated with Event

Dividend payable, Call payable, Exercise price, Conversion price, Redemption price, Application money.

Source of

Amount per securityPayment

(does not include any excluded income)

Excluded income per security

(only applicable to listed PIEs)

SupplementaryAmount per security

Currencydividendin dollars and cents

details -

NZSX Listing Rule 7.12.7

Total monies

TaxationAmount per Security in Dollars and cents to six decimal places

In the case of a taxable bonusResident

Imputation Credits

issue state strike priceWithholding Tax(Give details)

Foreign

FDP Credits

Withholding Tax(Give details)

Timing

(Refer Appendix 8 in the NZSX Listing Rules)

Record Date 5pmApplication Date

For calculation of entitlements -Also, Call Payable, Dividend /

Interest Payable, Exercise Date,

Conversion Date.

Notice DateAllotment Date

Entitlement letters, call notices,For the issue of new securities.

conversion notices mailedMust be within 5 business days

of application closing date.

OFFICE USE ONLY

Ex Date:

Commence Quoting Rights:Security Code:

Cease Quoting Rights 5pm:

Commence Quoting New Securities:Security Code:

Cease Quoting Old Security 5pm:

EMAIL: announce@nzx.com

Notice of event affecting securities

Contact Energy Limited

Dennis Barnes - Chief Executive OfficerDirectors' Resolution

+ 64 4 499 4001+64 4 499 40031382018

NZCENE0001S6

In dollars and cents

$0.19

(716,286,570)Ordinary Shares

Not Applicable

Enter N/A if not

applicable

$$0.013194$0.073889

$0.000000$0.000000

NZD$0.033529

$136,094,448

Date Payable

18 September, 2018

30 August, 201818 September, 2018

Not ApplicableNot Applicable

---

Contact Energy Limited. Level 2 Harbour City Tower, 29 Brandon St, Wellington 6011. PO Box 10742 Wellington 6143.
P: +64 4 499 4001 F: +64 4 499 4003 contactenergy.co.nz

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, 13 August 2018

Relentless focus on cost efficiency offsets headwinds in wholesale markets to leave

operating free cash flow stable; distributions to shareholders rise

Highlights


Year ended Comparison against


30 June 2018 FY17³

EBITDAF

1


$481m down 4% from $501m

Profit

$132m down 13% from $151m

Earnings per share (cents)

18.4 cps down 12% from 21.0 cps

Underlying profit

1


$130m down 9% from $142m

Underlying profit per share (cents)

18.1 cps down 9% from 19.9 cps

Declared dividend (cents)

32.0 cps up 23% from 26.0 cps

Operating free cash flow

2


$301m down 1% from $305m

Operating free cash flow per share (cents)

2


42.0 cps down 1% from $42.6 cps

Capital expenditure (accounting)

$69m down 32% from $102m


 Cost efficiency programme delivering, with cash spent on stay in business capital

projects down by $38 million (33%) and a $20 million (8%) reduction in ongoing other

operating costs

 Conditional agreements reached for the sale of the Ahuroa gas storage (AGS) facility for

$200 million and the sale of the Rockgas LPG business for $260 million.

 Strong operating free cash flow saw Contact strengthen the balance sheet, with a cash

reduction in borrowings of $99 million, while at the same time increasing returns to

shareholders with the full year dividend up 23%, to 32 cents per share (FY17 26 cents

per share) which will be fully imputed for New Zealand based shareholders.

12


Putting our energy where it matters


Contact’s strategy remains to optimise the Customer and Generation businesses to deliver

strong cash flows for distribution to shareholders. The strategy is underpinned by a

disciplined and transparent approach to operating and capital expenditure.


“Despite a testing operating environment which included a second successive year of below

average hydro inflows and a continuation of the intense retail competition with an ever

growing number of start-ups and reinvigorated incumbents, Contact showed strong financial

discipline to deliver operating free cash flow of $301 million despite lower operating earnings

by reducing operating costs and stay in business capital expenditure by $58 million”, said

Dennis Barnes, Contact’s Chief Executive.



1

Refer to slides 50-53 of the 2018 Full year results presentation for a definition and reconciliation between statutory profit and the non-GAAP

profit measures earnings before net interest expense, tax, depreciation, amortisation, change in fair value of financial instruments and other

significant items (EBITDAF) and underlying profit (profit excluding significant items that do not reflect Contact’s ongoing performance).

2

Refer to slide 29 of the 2018 Full year results presentation for a definition and reconciliation between cash flow from operating activities and the

non-GAAP measure operating free cash flow. Operating free cash flow represents cash available to repay debt, to fund distributions to

shareholders and growth capital expenditure.

³ Contact has elected to early adopt NZ IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (‘revenue standard’) and NZ IFRS 16 Leases (‘leases

standard’) for the year ended 30 June 2018. Both standards have been applied retrospectively, which has resulted in the restatement and/or

reclassification of comparatives to conform to the current period’s classification. Refer to slide 54 of the 2018 Full year results presentation for a

reconciliation of the changes to the prior period as a result of the adoption of the new accounting standards.


Contact Energy Limited. Level 2 Harbour City Tower, 29 Brandon St, Wellington 6011. PO Box 10742 Wellington 6143.

P: +64 4 499 4001 F: +64 4 499 4003 contactenergy.co.nz

Contact reported a statutory profit for the year ended 30 June 2018 of $132 million, $19

million lower than the prior corresponding period as EBITDAF fell by $20 million, or 4%, to

$481 million. Operational improvements resulted in a sustainable reduction in operating

costs of $20 million, 8% down on the prior comparative period. Operating free cash flow

remained strong at $301 million, down 1% on FY17.

“In the last year we also announced two significant transactions, they stand out as key

enablers to accelerate the delivery of our strategy - the sale of the AGS facility, and the sale

of the Rockgas LPG business. Although on face value they seem like simple disposals at a

fair price, they build significant flexibility into our business. With AGS we retain access to

long-term gas storage services to meet our flexible thermal generation requirements without

the need to own and operate a gas storage asset. Similarly, the Rockgas sale frees Contact

from the fulfilment aspects of the LPG business while still being able to sell the product to

our mass market customers which we know is something they value. The sales proceeds

will be applied to debt, strengthening our balance sheet”, said Mr Barnes.

Contact’s quality generation assets and lean, low cost operations provide the Board

confidence in the sustainability of Contact’s cash flow generation which allowed for the FY18

full year dividend to be increased by 23% to 32 cents per share, compared to 26 cents per

share for FY17. The final dividend of 19 cents per share will be fully imputed for New

Zealand based shareholders.

Connecting with our customers

Contact’s Customer business continues to reduce the cost to serve while improving the

customer experience.

“Our Customer business aspires to be a high-performing, efficient retailer with the lowest

cost to serve and best customer experience of the tier 1 retailers in New Zealand, and we

are beginning to see good evidence of progress with stronger customer advocacy and lower

churn”, said Mr Barnes.

Customer experience improvements saw a final quarter Net Promoter Score of +20, up 25%

on the prior comparative period while operational efficiencies led to an 11% reduction in the

cost to serve customers. This has contributed to customer churn being 1.3 percentage

points below the market average and marginally improved mass market electricity and gas

earnings.

Despite the operational improvements in mass market retailing, the Customer business

result was impacted by market headwinds. In particular, increased competition in the

Commercial and Industrial electricity segment reduced retail margins, and rising oil prices

increased the cost of LPG which was not fully passed through to customers. Customer

EBITDAF fell by $9 million to $109 million in the year ended 30 June 2018 when compared

to the same period a year ago.

“The New Zealand energy market remains highly competitive, and with more retailers

competing for attention it is more important than ever that we can distinguish our products

and services in the eyes of customers. This has been a key consideration in the launch of

our new brand. This is an outward symbol of the effort to transform Contact into a truly

customer-centric digital energy company” said Mr Barnes.

Generating for the future

“Our Generation business has the goal to be an innovative, safe and efficient generator

working with business customers, partners and suppliers to decarbonise New Zealand’s

energy sector. While this will be a multi-year journey, I am encouraged that our continuous

improvement programme is starting to deliver sustainable reductions in ongoing operating

costs and an improvement in the resource utilisation of our renewable assets. This has


Contact Energy Limited. Level 2 Harbour City Tower, 29 Brandon St, Wellington 6011. PO Box 10742 Wellington 6143.

P: +64 4 499 4001 F: +64 4 499 4003 contactenergy.co.nz

resulted in record production from our geothermal power stations in the year and the cash

cost of generation which includes both generation operating costs and generation stay in

business capital expenditure down by $20m”, said Mr Barnes.

Generation EBITDAF fell by $13 million to $372 million in the twelve months to 30 June 2017

when compared to the same period a year ago, primarily as a result of ASX earnings

volatility with the sudden hydrological swings. Contact also completed the claims settlement

process in relation to construction contracts for the Te Mihi power station in FY18 which saw

a reduction in year-on-year earnings.

“A key focus for the business is to support further decarbonisation of New Zealand’s energy

sector. To achieve this we will need to work with partners and suppliers to assist the

conversion of business customers with a high carbon footprint to renewable energy. Contact

has the largest Commercial and Industrial customer base and is best placed to lead this

transition. To ensure we can execute on this opportunity we have moved the Commercial

and Industrial team into a new look Generation business, to be named Wholesale. This will

enable demand-backed development of our consented geothermal resources, in preparation

we are working hard to reduce the cost of our consented renewable development options.

While the market fundamentals don’t currently support new renewable investment, it is

something we will be ready for, especially as New Zealand looks to achieve its carbon

reduction ambitions”, said Mr Barnes.

Looking forward

“The year ahead will see accelerated digital transformation in our lean Customer business

and clear progress in efforts to decarbonise New Zealand’s energy sector.

Our new brand along with new customer inspired products and services and our low cost

operations provide us with the platform to adapt to the evolving needs of our customers.

Divesting Rockgas and transferring the Commercial and Industrial team to the new

Wholesale business will also enable greater focus to accelerate the delivery of digitally led

mass market customer experience improvements and continue to lower cost to serve and

grow demand for renewable electricity.

Focusing on our core areas of advantage will be key to succeed in today’s markets and

allow us to participate in those that are only just starting to emerge. For now the focus

remains on the reduction of controllable costs, simplification of the organisation and asset

portfolio and seeking opportunities to deliver value from scale efficiencies. This allows for

increasing distributions to shareholders with Contact to target a FY19 full year dividend of 35

cents per share (up 9% on FY18)”, said Mr Barnes

ENDS


Investor enquiries: Matthew Forbes +64 21 072 8578

Media enquiries: Jason Krupp +64 21 701 898

---

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
We are adapting to new technologies, services and ways of doing things inspired by the changing needs of our customers

»The Contact brand needed to change to better reflect the

type of energy and service company we’ve become

»The arc symbolises the energy that connects us and

surrounds us and our commitment to looking after our

customers and our communities

2

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Customers have been asking us to make bills fit in with their lifestyle rather than the other way around

»80% of Kiwis get paid weekly or fortnightly

»We’re putting our energy where it matters and have found a

way to make bills smaller and more regular

»Customers can now align their payments with their income -

making power easier to budget for and manage

»It is only the first step in aligning our products with our new

identity, watch for more in the coming weeks and months

3

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
This presentation may contain projections or forward-looking statements regarding a variety of items. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and involve

risks and uncertainties.

Actual results may differ materially from those stated in any forward-looking statement based on a number of important factors and risks.

Although management may indicate and believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate or

incorrect and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realised.

EBITDAF, underlying profit, free cash flow and operating free cash flow are non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting practice) measures.Information regarding the usefulness,

calculation and reconciliation of these measures is provided in the supporting material.

Furthermore, while all reasonable care has been taken in compiling this presentation, Contact accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions.

This presentation does not constitute investment advice.

4

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
1

Overview

2

Market dynamics

3

Progress on strategy

4

Operational and financial performance

5

Outlook

5-7

8-12

13 -19

20 -30

31 -42

6

Supporting materials43 -56

5

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Summary of key financial performance measures

Year ended

30 June 2018

Comparisonagainst FY17

EBITDAF

1

$481mdown 4% from $501m

Profit

$132mdown 13% from $151m

Earnings per share

18.4 cpsdown 12% from 21.0 cps

Underlying profit

1

$130mdown 9% from $142m

Underlying profit per share

18.1 cpsdown 9% from 19.9 cps

Declared dividend

32.0 cpsup 23% from 26.0 cps

Operating free cash flow

2

$301mdown 1% from $305m

Operating free cash flow per share

2

42.0 cpsdown 1% from $42.6 cps

Capital expenditure (accounting)

$69mdown 32% from $102m

1

Refer to slides 50-53 for a definition and reconciliation of EBITDAF and underlying profit

2

Refer to slide 29 for a reconciliation of operating free cash flow

3

Refer to slide 54 for a reconciliation of the changes to the prior period as a result of the adoption of the

new accounting standards

»Contact has elected to early adopt NZ IFRS 15 Revenue from

Contracts with Customers (‘revenue standard’) and NZ IFRS 16

Leases (‘leases standard’) for the year ended 30 June 2018.

Both standards have been applied retrospectively, which has

resulted in the restatement and/or reclassification of

comparatives to conform with the current period’s classification

3

.

»Volatile hydrology, competition for large customers and

increasing LPG costs negatively impact earnings

»Focus on cash flow by delivering on cost efficiency

»Operating costs and stay-in business (SIB) cash capital

spend down $58m (16%) on FY17. Operating costs and

accounting capital spend down by $53m (15%).

»Achieved in the context of an improving customer

experience, increasing customer advocacy and record

geothermal production

»Strong progress on the optimisation of the portfolio

»Sale of Ahuroa gas storage for $200m and sale of

Rockgas for $260m. Expected to complete in 1H19 and

will see net debt to EBITDAF fall comfortably below 2.8x

target

6

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Operational performance improves, cash discipline enables increasing dividends

MAINTAINING FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE

Strong cost control with other operating costs down by $20m (8%). Cash spent on

SIB capital expenditure down by $38m (33%). $99m cash reduction in borrowings.

ENHANCED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Net promoter score (NPS) for final quarter of FY18 of +20, up from the +15

recorded for the same period in FY17 on the implementation of operational

improvements. Below market churn.

SAFE AND ENGAGED EMPLOYEES

Increasing employee engagement with 77% of employees engaged, 9% up on FY17

and 36% up on FY15. Maturing safety culture.

FY18 dividend of 32 cents per share, up 6 cents per share on FY17. Target FY19

dividend of 35 cents per share, up 9% on FY18

REWARDING SHAREHOLDERS

Comparison against FY17

+16%

Reduction in total cash

operating costs and

capital spend

+5

Improvement

in NPS

+9%

+23%

Increase in employee

engagement

Increase to the FY18 full

year dividend

7

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Market dynamics

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

Jun-16Aug-16Oct-16Dec-16Feb-17Apr-17Jun-17Aug-17Oct-17Dec-17Feb-18Apr-18Jun-18

GWh

Mean storageActual storage

South Island hydro storage was significantly below mean in

the first half of the year

»With South Island hydro storage averaging 65% of mean throughout

July and August 2017, thermal generation was required to meet

demand

»Record North Island inflows supported hydro generation well above

long-run averages

Average monthly storage vs mean by Island

Source: NZX hydro

-1,000

-600

-200

200

600

1,000

Jul-16

Aug-16Sep-16

Oct-16

Nov-16Dec-16

Jan-17

Feb-17Mar-17

Apr-17

May-17

Jun-17

Jul-17

Aug-17Sep-17

Oct-17

Nov-17Dec-17

Jan-18

Feb-18Mar-18

Apr-18

May-18

Jun-18

Variance to mean (GWh)

Monthly average

North Island storageSouth Island storage

FY18

National hydro storage against mean storage

Source: NZX hydro

9

Contact hydro

generation 36% below

the prior period

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
(2%)

(1%)

1%

(1%)

0%

1%

0%

4%

0%

0%

0%

2%

1%

1%

2%

0%

1%

5%

»Despite the continued growth in new customer connections, lower residential

demand per connection and industrial closures have contributed to flat

demand since 2008

Regional demand change (%) FY18 vs FY17

40,399

40,041

41,067

41,18140,92741,254

FY13FY14FY15FY16FY17FY18

Annual demand

(GWh)

Financial year

Source: EMI

National electricity demand

7,507

7,380

7,280

7,265

7,046

6,997

201320142015201620172018

Annual usage

(KWh)

Year ending 30 March

Annual consumption per household (kWh)

Source: MBIE Quarterly Survey of Domestic Electricity Prices

National electricity demand was up 1% in FY18 compared to FY17

»The announced NZAS recommissioning of the 4

th

potline will add 1% to national

electricity demand once operational

Source: EMI, Contact

10

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
South Island dry periods during Winter 2017

and Summer 2018 impacted short term prices,

long dated futures remained stable

»Wholesale electricity prices remained elevated during

the dry winter on a combination of low national hydro

storage and higher demand during July 2017 (highest

since 2011)

»Limited snow pack and thermal plant outages led to

elevated wholesale prices during summer

Generation weighted monthly wholesale electricity prices

Forward price curves

Source: EA –Wholesale energy prices

Source: EA –Forward price curves

20

70

120

170

220

JulSepNovJanMarMayJulSepNovJanMarMay

$/MWh

7-day simple moving average spot priceLong-dated futuresShort-dated futures

20

70

120

JulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun

$/MWh

FY13 - FY18 rangeFY13 - FY18 averageFY18FY17

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

25Jun26Jun27Jun28Jun29Jun30Jun

Wholesale price

($/MWh)

Spot electricity prices –25 to 30 June 2018

Source: EA –Wholesale energy prices

»Thermal outages and tighter supply demand balance

saw increased volatility in peak trading periods at the

end of the financial year

11

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Network costs rising, energy component falling; real cost to

households flat

»Residential electricity price increases remain below inflation

»Residential prices rose by 1.5% for the quarter ended March 2018

(line costs up 5.6% offset by a 1.5% reduction in energy related

charges)

»Competition and energy efficiency have seen reducing real electricity

expenditure for households

Average real residential expenditure (including GST)

Source: MBIE quarterly Survey of Domestic Electricity Prices

Year on year quarterly change in residential electricity prices

Source: MBIE Quarterly Survey of Domestic Electricity Prices

All retailers competing

-10,000

-5,000

0

5,000

10,000

Sep-16Dec-16Mar-17Jun-17Sep-17Dec-17Mar-18Jun-18

ICP changes

"Tier 1" electricity retailers"Tier 2" electricity retailers

Source: EA, ICP market share

(2%)

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

Jun-16Sep-16Dec-16Mar-17Jun-17Sep-17Dec-17Mar-18

Year on year quarterly

change

Quarter ended

Lines componentEnergy and other component

$853

$863

$900

$891

$886

$891

$1,274

$1,272

$1,246

$1,207

$1,175

$1,140

$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

201320142015201620172018

$ per household per year (real)

Lines componentEnergy and other component

12

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Progress on strategy

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
A service and value focussed retailer,

connecting customers and communities

to smart solutions that make living easier

for them now, and in the future

Underpinned by a disciplined and transparent approach to operating and capital expenditure

while continuing to investigate ways to optimise our portfolio of assets

An innovative, safe and efficient generator

working with business customers, partners

and suppliers to decarbonise New

Zealand’s energy sector

CustomerGeneration

14

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
FY16 FY17 FY18

NEAR TERM DESCRIPTION OF SUCCESS

High-performing, efficient retailer with the lowest cost to serve and best customer experience of the tier 1 retailers in New Zealand,

with an ability to execute consistently

79%53%36%

Employee

engagement

Net promoter

score (final qtr.)

+20+15+3

Churn variance to

market (12 mth avg)

1.3% below0.7% belowat market

Electricity and gas

cost to serve

$97m$110m$113m

Debt write-offs

$5.5m$6.6m$9.3m

Number of calls

0.9m1.0m1.1m

Mass market

electricity netback

$99.5/MWh$97.9/MWh$99.2/MWh

»Executing on continuous

improvement initiatives

»Digitising and streamlining

highest-priority customer

journeys

»New products and services

deliver smart customer solutions

»Adapting the IT operating model

to rapidly respond to customer

needs

Delivering on our strategy

15

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
NEAR TERM DESCRIPTION OF SUCCESS

Focus on operational excellence and investment in digital approaches with clear payback to accelerate continuous improvement

68%65%60%

Employee

engagement

TRIFR

5.23.33.2

Cash costs

1

$165m$185m$214m

3 year average

forward price

$78.60 / MWh$77.80 / MWh$77.00 / MWh

Plant availability

89%92%90%

Geothermal and

hydro volumes

3,323 GWh

3,479 GWh

3,233 GWh

3,562 GWh

3,297 GWh

4,090 GWh

Cost of energy

$28.00/MWh$27.61/MWh$26.71/MWh

»Executing on continuous

improvement initiatives

»Geothermal efficiency gains

greater than all solar installed in

New Zealand

»Innovating to lead the world in

lowering the cost of geothermal

energy

»Initiatives to support further

decarbonisation of New

Zealand’s energy sector

Delivering on our strategy

1

Cash cost includes generation operating costs and SIB Capex

FY16 FY17 FY18

16

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Continued focus on the controllable aspects of the

business led to an 8% reduction in other operating

costs

»Leaner corporate centre with aligned support functions and IT

programme in line with business requirements. Corporate costs

are $7m lower in FY18

»Corporate labour costs down on reduced FTE ($4m)

»ICT costs lower after the move to the cloud and

efficiency initiatives ($3m)

»Operational gains from the transformation programme in

Customer and the execution of continuous improvement

initiatives in Generation. Business unit costs are $13m lower.

»Generation direct costs down by $5m offset by higher

labour costs on restructuring ($2m)

»Customer direct costs down by $10m

FY18 controllable operating cost improvement against FY17

7

10

3

243

223

200

205

210

215

220

225

230

235

240

245

250

FY17 other operating

costs

Lean Corporate

centre

Customer

transformation

Generation continous

improvement

FY18 other operating

costs

$m

17

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Sold to a higher value owner (GSNZ)

Reduces gas storage costs

Independent owner of storage

Monetises unused capacity

Monetises scale advantages

Eliminates commodity exposure

Strengthens balance sheet

Preserves dual fuel value

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

Sale of Ahuroa gas storage for $200m

Sale of Rockgas LPG for $260m

Strategic rationale

Strategic rationale

»Divesting Rockgas will enable greater focus and allow for accelerated

transformation in the Customer business, ultimately creating value for

shareholders

»Contact identified a higher value owner for this long life infrastructure

asset. Contact has retained access to competitive long term gas

storage services compatible with its requirements for flexible thermal

generation. Contact benefits from the committed expansion.

»GSNZ has a lower cost of capital

»Existing Taranaki operations present operational synergies

»Committed expansion reduces the cost per unit of storage

»Effective share of operating costs reduce with additional users

»Without upstream or downstream interests, the new owner will

likely be seen as a more independent counterparty facilitating

new users

»The AGS reservoir is larger than Contact’s requirements and is

capable of supporting storage services to other customers

»The marketing alliance allows Contact to continue to offer LPG

as part of its product suite. Lower churn benefits retained

»The services agreement will preserve our scale advantage to

enhance returns from digital transformation

»The sale proceeds will improve our balance sheet strength

and facilitate improved distributions to shareholders

»The sale will eliminate Contact’s exposure to the variability in

international LPG prices, exchange rates and domestic LPG

supply and demand dynamics

18

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Operational and financial performance

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Underlying profit down 8% from $142m in FY17 to $130m

Contact’s statutory profit

»Underlying profit of $130m, was down by

$12m (8%) reflecting:

»$20m reduction in EBITDAF

»Depreciation and amortisation up by

$12m with a full year of depreciation

from the ICT change and transition

programme and higher TCC

depreciation post the major

refurbishment

»Net interest costs reduced by $9m on

marginally lower interest rates and a

reduction in average debt over the

period

»Lower tax expense

»The only item excluded from underlying profit

in the current period was the increase in the

fair value of financial instruments of $2m (net

of tax).

Financial performance compared to FY17

9

20

12

9

11

2

151

142

130

132

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

FY17

statutory

profit

Net items

excluded

from

underlying

profit

FY17

underlying

profit

EBITDAFDepreciation

&

amortisation

Net interest

costs

TaxFY18

underlying

profit

Net items

excluded

from

underlying

profit

FY18

statutory

profit

$m

FavourableUnfavourable

20

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Customer EBITDAF of $109m, $9m lower than FY17

Generation EBITDAF of $372m, $11m lower than FY17

Customer EBITDAF movement on FY17

8

4

2

1

118

109

90

95

100

105

110

115

120

125

FY17

EBITDAF

Mass market

electricity

Mass market

gas

C&I electricityLPGFY18

EBITDAF

$m

FavourableUnfavourable

Generation EBITDAF movement on FY17

21

2

9

4

383

372

360

365

370

375

380

385

390

FY17 EBITDAFElectricity and steam

sales revenue

Wholesale market

volitility

Claims against

contractors

FY18 EBITDAF

$m

FavourableUnfavourable

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
»Contact is not integrated into upstream LPG supply and is exposed to

the fluctuations in oil linked commodity prices

»FY18 has seen a sustained and sharp increase to oil linked LPG

product costs which are up by $4m (10%). Carboncosts were also

$1m higher than FY17

»LPG price changes were implemented in the year, tariff up 2%,

volumes flat

International LPG pricing (50% propane, 50% butane) in NZ$

FY18

C&I electricity EBITDAF of $12m, $8m lower than FY17 LPG EBITDAF of $32m, $4m lower than FY17

C&I sales volume changes on FY15

0%

1%

2%

3%

4%

5%

-1,000

-500

0

500

1,000

FY16FY17FY18

C&I EBITDAF / revenue

C&I sales volumes (GWh)

C&I incumbents (lhs)Genesis (lhs)Contact C&I retail margin (rhs)

»Competition for C&I sales has increased, which has led to a reduction

in the C&I retail margin above ASX reference from 4.6% in FY16 to

2.8% in FY18

»Contact C&I sales volumes down by 6% with lower re-signs as

Contact was unwilling to match the lower prices from competitors

22

250

350

450

550

650

750

850

950

Jul-15Oct-15Jan-16Apr-16Jul-16Oct-16Jan-17Apr-17Jul-17Oct-17Jan-18Apr-18

NZ$

LPG priceLPG price (average FY)

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Mass market electricity tariffs up 0.5%, network costs up

2%, cost to serve down 10%

2.1

2.5

1.2

97.9

99.5

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

100

FY17 netbackSales PriceElectricity Network,

Meter & Levy costs

Cost to serveFY18 netback

Netback ($/MWh)

FavourableUnfavourable

6

4

47

49

30

35

40

45

50

55

FY17 EBITDAFNetbackEnergy costsVolumeFY18 EBITDAF

$m

UnfavourableFavourable

EBITDAF from mass market electricity sales was $49m in

FY18, up $2m (4%) from the prior period despite lower sales

volumes and rising energy prices

Mass market electricity netback ($/MWh) year on year movementMass market electricity EBITDAF year on year movement

23

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Hydro generation volumes 10% below mean for the second

consecutive financial year

»Clutha hydro inflows during FY18 were 19% below mean for the first

three quarters (5% above mean for the last quarter)

»The scheduled major refurbishment of the Taranaki Combined Cycle

plant (TCC) during November and December meant Contact could not

take full advantage of higher wholesale prices

Source: NZX hydro

Clutha inflows vs mean inflows (variance)

-80%

-60%

-40%

-20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Jul-16

Aug-16Sep-16

Oct-16

Nov-16Dec-16

Jan-17

Feb-17Mar-17

Apr-17

May-17

Jun-17

Jul-17

Aug-17Sep-17

Oct-17

Nov-17Dec-17

Jan-18

Feb-18Mar-18

Apr-18

May-18

Jun-18

%

Contact hydro generation by quarter for FY15 –18

Thermal utilisation by month and wholesale electricity price

Source: Contact

Source: Contact, EA –Wholesale energy prices

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

SepDecMarJun

GWh

Quarter ended

FY15FY16FY17FY18Mean Generation

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Jan

17

Feb

17

Mar

17

Apr

17

May

17

Jun

17

Jul

17

Aug

17

Sep

17

Oct

17

Nov

17

Dec

17

Jan

18

Feb

18

Mar

18

Apr

18

May

18

Jun

18

$/MWh

%

Thermal capacity factor (%)National wholesale electricity price ($/MWh)

24

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
PeriodEnded 30 June 2018

PeriodEnded 30 June 2017

Volume (GWh)VWAP ($/MWh)Total ($m)Volume (GWh)VWAP ($/MWh)Total ($m)

Sales to C&I3,349 81.52 273 3,564 79.04 282

Sales to Mass market3,648 86.13 314 3,702 85.12 315

FPVV electricity sales to Customer6,997 83.93 587 7,266 82.13 597

NZAS support701 348

Direct C&I sales90 88

Sell side CFDs565 682

Contracted electricity sales1,356 66.03 90 1,118 70.71 79

Total electricity sales8,353 81.02677 8,384 80.61676

Steam revenue584 42.78 25 602 40.33 24

Total electricity and steam sales8,937 78.52702 8,986 77.91700

Acquired generation revenue(519) 90.13 47 (276) 65.47 18

Acquired generation cost519 (80.43)(42)276 (61.61)(17)

Net gain on acquired generation5 1

Generation costs8,704(33.11)(288)8,629(32.92)(284)

Costof generation, including acquired generation(283)(283)

Wholesale revenue8,614 86.39 744 8,537 55.16 471

Cost to supply electricity sales to Customer

(7,416)(91.82)(681)(7,683)(59.89)(460)

Cost to supply contracted electricity sales(1,356) (79.92)(108)(1,118)(50.69)(57)

Costs to supply total electricity sales(8,771)(89.98)(789)(8,801) (58.72)(517)

Net spot exposed revenue(45)(46)

ASX market making(2)5

Futures contracts close outs(2)1

Claims against contractors26

ASX market making, futures close outs and other income(2)12

EBITDAF372 383

Prudent risk management and

operational performance offset

non recurring income

25

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
»Contact has completed the claims settlement processes in relation to the

construction contracts and insurance for the Te Mihi geothermal power

station

ASX trading by counterparty

Losses from ASX market making of $2m in FY18 compared

to a $5m gain in FY17 –a $7m year on year variance

Contractor claims down $4m on FY17

»Contact is a voluntary market maker on the ASX

»Contact’s cost of market making totalled $2m for FY18 as ASX

traded volumes increased significantly through volatile hydrological

conditions without adjustment to the market making rules which

require tight buy / sell spreads

»Financial market participants are increasingly taking advantage of

the liquidity provided by market makers

»Market makers wear the cost without being able to adjust the bid/ask

spread to reflect the underlying volatility of the market

»The voluntary arrangements remain at risk. Contact continues to

advocate for least cost providers of market making services to be

contracted on commercially reasonable terms

43

9

6

6

2

30-Jun-1430-Jun-1530-Jun-1630-Jun-1730-Jun-18

$m

Te Mihisettlements

3,500k

3,000k

2,500k

2,000k

1,500k

1,000k

500k

MWh

Feb 16

Mar 16

Apr16

May 16

Jun 16

Jul 16

Aug16Sep16

Oct 16

Nov 16Dec 16

Jan 17

Feb17

Feb 17

Mar

17

Apr17

May

17

Jun

17

Jul

17

Aug17Sep17

Oct

17

Nov

17

Dec

17

Jan 18

Market maker to market maker

Market maker to non-market maker

Non-market maker to non-market maker

Source: ASX market performance presentation

26

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Efficiency gains and maximum fuel use at Wairakei. Ohaaki

generation impacted by injection constraints

Operating cost reduction offset by rising gas and carbon costs

56

137

9

83

68

8,629

8,704

8,450

8,500

8,550

8,600

8,650

8,700

8,750

FY17

generation

volumes

Geothermal

-Ohaaki

field

Geothermal

-Wairakei

field

Geothermal

-Tauhara

field

HydroThermalFY18

generation

volumes

Generation (GWh)

FavourableUnfavourable

Generation volumes (GWh) year on year movement

Generation costs year on year movement

27

0.6

2.4

0.8

6.7

6.1

5.0

283

288

283

275

277

279

281

283

285

287

289

291

293

295

FY17

generation

costs

Electricity

transmission

& levies

Gas costs

(net of gas

sales)

Gas

Transmission

Costs

Carbon CostsOther

operating

costs

FY18

generation

costs

Gain on

acquired

generation

(change on

FY17)

FY18

generation

costs

$m

UnfavourableFavourable

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

FY16FY17FY18FY19FY20

$m

Generation -Plant maintanence and continous improvementCustomer and Corporate

Capital expenditure and targets

»FY18 accounting capex of $69m, $32m lower than FY17 (32%). Cash spend

on SIB capex of $78m, $38m down on FY17 (33%).

SIB capital expenditure

Sustainable capital expenditure, post financial

close of AGS and Rockgas is between $60 -$65m

per annum and includes:

»Thermal plant refurbishment

»Geothermal well drilling to maintain geothermal

generation at 3,350 GWh per annum

»Transformation and continuous improvement

initiatives

»Plant and systems maintenance

»Excludes capex associated with Wairakei

extension post 2026

28

Guided range

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Delivering on our cost out targets resulted in strong cash flow despite lower operating earnings and unfavourable

movements in working capital

»EBITDAF down $20m

»Tax paid down by $4m on FY17 on lower

profit before tax

»Unfavourable working capital

movements of $7m, $42m lower than

FY17. With FY17 benefitting from higher

gas extraction from AGS ($53m

favourable in FY17) and favourable

collections of receivables

»Stay in business capital expenditure was

down by $38m on the implementation of

detailed asset management plans and

capital projects in FY17 not repeating

»Resilient cash flow despite second

successive year with hydro inflows 10%

below mean

PeriodEndedPeriodEndedVariance

$m30 June 201830 June 2017$m%

EBITDAF481501(20)

(4%)

Tax paid(33)(37)4

11%

Change in working capital net of non-

cash, investing and financing activities

(7)35(42)

Non-cash items included in EBITDAF1717-

Significant items, net of non-cash

amounts

(1)(8)7

88%

Operating cash flows457508(51)

(10%)

Net interest paid(78)(87)9

10%

Stay in business capital expenditure(78)(116)38

33%

Operating free cash flow301305(4)

(1%)

Proceeds from sale of assets69(3)

(33%)

Free cash flow307314(7)

(2%)

Operating free cash flow per share

(cents)

42.042.6(0.6)(1%)

29

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Cash reduction in borrowings of $99m

Final dividend for FY18 of 19 cents per share up 27%

»Face value of net borrowings reduced by $97m to $1,448m as

surplus cash was applied to debt repayment

»Gearing reduced to 35.4% at 30 June 2018, down from 35.8% at

30 June 2017

»$281m in debt repayment since 30 June 2015

»Full year dividend of 32 cents per share is fully imputed (FY17 26

cents per share). This represents a pay-out of 76% of FY18

operating free cash flow per share.

»Target FY19 ordinary dividend of 35 cents per share

»Record date 30 August 2018; payment date 18 September 2018

»The NZD/AUD exchange rate used for the payment of Australian

dollar dividends will be set in late August

0

40

80

120

160

200

240

280

320

360

FY17FY18

$m

DividendsNet debt repaymentsGas swapGrowth capex

Uses of free cash flow

30

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Outlook

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
A service and value focussed retailer,

connecting customers and communities

to smart solutions that make living easier

for them now, and in the future

Underpinned by a disciplined and transparent approach to operating and capital expenditure

while continuing to investigate ways to optimise our portfolio of assets

An innovative, safe and efficient generator

working with business customers, partners

and suppliers to decarbonise New

Zealand’s energy sector

CustomerGeneration

32

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
While directionally the environment remains broadly similar the momentum driving the market is increasing

Electricity demand

and supply

Regulatory settings

Decarbonisation

Retail competition

»National demand for electricity

is relatively flat with long term

wholesale prices holding firm on

no significant change to net

supply

»The Tiwai fourth potline

provides medium term demand

strength

»Material demand growth from

the conversion of carbon based

energy to electricity

»Regulatory settings have

historically been focused on

creating a progressive, efficient

market structure

»The Government's

decarbonisation agenda and the

speed of movement to act on

climate change has increased

»Retail sector competition

continues with 10 new entrants

in the last 2 years -growing Tier

2 market share has seen

pressure on retail gross

margins

»Increased competition for C&I

load from integrated generator /

retailers looking to match load

with their generation assets

Brand refresh and new customer propositions

to mitigate these headwinds

33

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Operational performance metrics continue to improve

1

2

3

Mass market earnings up

marginally on cost

improvements

C&I prices trending to ASX

LPG product and carbon costs

increasing faster than pass through

to customers

FY18 EBITDAF Keys to extracting value

$65m

($49m electricity, $12m gas,

$4m meters and other

income)

$12m

$32m

Best-in-class retailer, reducing

CTS while growing customer

advocacy –vital to expand

margins in a competitive market

with limited tariff growth

Maintaining a multi-fuel offering to

support our ability to compete in

the electricity market

Assisting with the conversion of

C&I customers with high carbon

footprint to renewable energy

34

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Strong operational performance delivering cost reduction and improving resource utilisation, short term earnings

impacted by hydrology. Long term growth dependent on the disciplined development of renewable generation

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

Jul-13Jan-14Jul-14Jan-15Jul-15Jan-16Jul-16Jan-17Jul-17Jan-18

GWh

Rolling 12 month ended

Geothermal generation volumesHydro generation volumes

Mean geothermal generationMean renewable generation

1

2

3

Delivering on the continuous

improvement programme

Lowering the cost of geothermal and

refining deployable development options

Grow demand for renewables by

partnering with customers on

decarbonisation solutions and further

thermal substitution

12 month rolling renewable generation vs mean

Keys to extracting value

35

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
CustomerGeneration

»Move to a simple, lean operating model centred on the

customer experience reinventing key customer experiences

and processes

»Capable employees, identifying and driving performance

initiatives with ownership and accountability

»Transform technology to drive both efficiency and better

automated customer experiences

»Reposition the brand and reputation from a strong operational

retailer to a smart customer solutions provider

»Sustainable cost reduction balanced against risk

»Strengthen geothermal capability to remain as a recognised world

leader

»Partner with customers on mutually beneficial decarbonisation

opportunities

»Develop options to enable the economic substitution of thermal

generation with renewables

»Lower the cost of geothermal to ensure Contact development options

are cost competitive with firmed intermittent renewables

Framework for

new investment

»Value defined by customers

»Scalable

»Leverages existing capabilities and cost structures

»Short paybacks

»Complementary partnerships

»Sustainable new demand

»New geothermal development cost competitive with new firmed

renewables and thermal life extensions

36

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Customer Wholesale Unallocated

»Revenue from the sale of

electricity to the wholesale

market, to C&I customers and

to the Customer segment, less

the cost to generate and/or

purchase electricity and costs

to serve and distribute

electricity to C&I customers

»Revenue from delivering

electricity, natural gas and

broadband and other products

and services to mass market

customers less the cost of

purchasing those products and

services, and the costs to serve

customers

Combining the C&I and Generation -C&I prices have trended to wholesale levels and large customers are important for

progressing decarbonisation and a key enabler for renewable development

Divesting the logistical aspects of the LPG business -separation and transition will be managed and governed separate from

Customer (reported as a discontinued operation)

The new operating segments provide aclearer view of profitability in the operating businesses, as the segments exclude

indirect Corporate costs

»Corporate functions (Finance and Risk,

Governance, People & Safety, Board,

Leadership team and an allocation of

ICT costs)

37

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
$mWholesaleCustomer Unallocated Eliminations

Continuing

operations

LPG -

Discontinued

operation

Total

Mass market electricity

-884 -(1)883 -883

Commercial & Industrial (C&I) electricity

452 ---452 -452

Wholesale electricity

718 ---718 -718

Inter-segment electricity sales

314 --(314)---

Gas

4 71 --75 -75

LPG

-----121 121

Steam

25 ---25 25

Total revenue

1,513 955 -(315)2,153 121 2,274

Other income (including liquidated damages)

3 4 --7 2 9

Total revenue and other income

1,516 958 -(315)2,160 123 2,283

Electricity purchases

(681)---(681)-(681)

Inter-segment electricity purchases

-(314)-314 0 -0

Gas

(108)(16)--(124)-(124)

LPG purchases

-----(73)(73)

Electricity networks, transmission, levies & meter costs

(204)(431)--(635)-(635)

Gas networks, transmission & meter costs

(9)(37)--(46)-(46)

Other operating expenses

(102)(82)(24)1 (208)(15)(223)

Carbon emissions

(15)(2)--(17)(3)(20)

Total operating expenses

(1,118)(883)(24)315 (1,711)(91)(1,802)

EBITDAF

397 76 (24)-449 32 481

C&I change from the Customer to Generation segment

(12)12 -----

Other Operating expenses allocation change

(13)(11)24 ----

EBITDAF per FY18 segments

372 77 --449 32 481

38

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
27%

1%

9%

18%

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

FY15FY16FY17FY18FY19 (f)

$m

Other operating costsAGS operating costsTransition costsCapital expenditure

FY15FY16FY17FY18

SIB

FY19 (f)²FY20 (f)

Other operating

costs

$263m$247m$243m$223m$205m$190m

Costsexcluded

from underlying

$24m$10m$12m---

AGS operating

costs

$5m$6m-

1

---

Capital

expenditure

$105m$128m$102m$69m$65-75m$60-65m

Controllable

costs

$397m$391m$357m$292m

$275 –

280m

$250 –

260m

Improvement on

prior year

$146m$6m$34m

$65m

(guidedrange

$46m –66m)

$12 -

17m

$15 -

35m

1

From FY17, AGS operating costs have been included in other operating costs

2

Includes an assumption of the completion of the sale of AGS and Rockgas

4-6%

Controllable costs down by over $100m since the delivery of the geothermal and SAP capex programmes

39

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
With the sale of AGS and Rockgas due to complete in 1H19 a normalised FY20 EBITDAF is provided

Bridge illustrating FY18 EBITDAF to FY20 operating free cash flow (excludes movement in working capital)

Key assumptions:

»Hydro generation at 3,900 GWh (mean), geothermal generation at 3,350 GWh (average)

»ASX electricity futures and electricity retail margins stable

»Delivery on Customer transformation

40

30

32

2

14

20

7

60-65

50

70

481

480

290-295

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

FY18 EBITDAFMean hydrologySale of RockgasRockgas services

revenue

Sale of AGSMinimum

operating

improvements

Inflation and STI

reversion

Normalised FY20

EBITDAF

CapexNet interestTaxationNormalised FY20

operating free

cash flow

$m

FavourableUnfavourable

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Target ordinary dividend of between

once the S&P net debt / EBITDAF ratio is below

2.8x

80-90%

of Operating Free CashFlow

Distribution policy

Interim

dividend

Final

dividend

40%

of expected total

AprilSept

35cps

up

+9%

on FY18

FY19Target ordinary dividend

60%

Net debt

Borrowings at 30 June

2018

$1,448m

Reduction in net debt from

proceeds of asset sales

(after tax)

($410m)

S&P net debt

Estimated at 30 June

2018

$1,480m

Reduction in S&P net debt

from proceeds of asset

sales

($257m)

41

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Supporting materials

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
FY19 (f)

¹

FY20 (f)

Other operating costs$200–210m$185–195m

Depreciation and amortisation$200 –210m$195 –205m

Net interest$70–80m$50 –60m

Stay in business capital expenditure

(accounting)

$65 –75m$60 –65m

Target dividend per share35 cents per share

1

Includes an assumption of the completion of the sale of AGS and Rockgas

43

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
[0.2k, 1T]

Mass market

Commercial

6

Service Station Franchise

Rockgas owns and

services these customers

Branches Direct

The businesses services

these customers

~200

27

~290

Direct customer

relationship (B2C)

Bulk Rockgas

relationship (B2B)

45kg and

reticulated

network

45kg and

forklift

9kg

9kg and auto

card

45kgand

9kg

Bulk tanks

[38k, 19T]

[17k, 19T]

Limited ongoing

relationship

[22T]

[44k, 14T]

[2k, 12T]

82k

41k

Key:

Services

agreement

Marketing

alliance

»Contact has entered into a marketing alliance that covers all mass market sales channels and a continuation of the customer service

»Customers will continue to experience the same great service aligned with a partner that wants to grow the business

[customers, sales volumes]

44

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Price and national storage levels

Otahuhu futures settlement price (ASX settlement)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

CY18CY19CY20CY21

$/MWh

30/06/201730/06/201730/06/2018

45

0

50

100

150

200

250

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

Jul- 16Oct- 16Jan- 17Apr- 17Jul- 17Oct- 17Jan- 18Apr- 18

$/MWh

GWh

National storedMean stored7 day average Price ($/MWh)

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Generation by sources

$-

$5

$10

$15

$20

$25

$30

$35

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

5,000

1H162H161H172H171H182H18

GeothermalHydroTCC and Te RapaPeakersCost of energy

GWh

$/MWh

Plant reliability and generation revenue

NetPlant availability

1

CapacityElectricityPool revenue

capacityFY18FY17factoroutput

(MW)(%)(%)(%)(GWh)($/MWh)($m)

Hydro78495%92%52%3,479 78271

Geothermal42596%91%88%3,323 80267

Taranaki Combined Cycle (TCC)37768%90%32%1,071 102110

Te Rapa (spot only)

41

87%98%82%211 9420

Peakers (including Whirinaki)36087%95%17%530 11762

Total1,987 89%92%50%8,614 91 729

Wairakei geothermal fluid extracted (kT)89,95486,793

Wairakei geothermal fluid consented (kT) pro-rata²89,67089,425

% of geothermal fluid extracted against pro rata

consent100%97%

Wairakei, PoihipiandTeMihigeneration(GWh)2,8262,710

Efficiency (MWh/kT)31.4431.221%improvement

1

Measures reliability of our generation plants.% of total hours the plant is available to run.

² Contact obtained a variation to the Wairakei mass take consent in September 2017. This allows for the

extraction of 245k tonnes of geothermal fluid per day on average over a year (calculation period end in

February every year). Previously the take was reset quarterly.

46

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Contracted gas volumes

Working volume in Ahuroa gas storage at 30 June 2018 was 7.6 PJ

Ahuroa gas storage monthly injections and extractions

-1.0

-0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

JulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun

FY18 net extractionsFY17 net extractions

FY18 cumulative net extractionsFY17 cumulative net extractions

Extractions

(PJ)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

CY15CY16CY17CY18CY19CY20

PJ

GenesisSwapMauiOther

47

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
The fixed price, variable volume transfer price between the Customer and

Generation segments is set in a manner similar to transactions with

independent retailers to enable an accurate picture of the financial

performance of each segment.

Inter-segment electricity and gas transfer price

Mass market electricity

A prudent retailer, offering fixed price variable volume products would

contract their forecast load incrementally. For Customer, 90 days before the

start of a quarter the electricity transfer price is fixed and takes into account:

•The simple average of ASX settlement prices for the preceding 3

years for the quarter to be contracted

•Adjustments for location, seasonality and line loss based on the

Customer business load profile for preceding 12 months

C&I electricity

•The price path agreed between Generation and Customer at the time

of contracting with reference to the ASX with the C&I customer.

Retail sales

Allocated from Generation to Customer at the market price for flexible gas

including a carbon cost component

5

5.5

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

Jul 15Nov 15Mar 16Jul 16Nov 16Mar 17Jul 17Nov 17Mar 18

Retail gas price ($/GJ)

Electricity transfer price ($/MWh)

Mass market ($/MWh)

C&I ($/MWh)

Average Mass market ($/MWh)

Average C&I ($/MWh)

Average retail gas includes carbon ($/GJ) - rhs

48

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
34%

29%

8%

25%

4%

Bank FacilitiesDomestic bonds

CPUSPP

NEXI

»Contact benefits from a funding portfolio that is flexible, efficient, diverse and has a manageable maturity profile:

•$595m total committed bank facilities (including $100m short term bridge facility), against which $231m was drawn

and $140m commercial paper was issued as at 30 June 2018.

•Weighted average tenor of funding facilities 3.7 years (excluding bridge facility)

»Average weighted cost of borrowings continues to improve -down 0.1% from FY17 to 4.9% in FY18

»Annual assurance for Green Borrowing Programme has been undertaken and no issues raised. All Contact’s debt is certified

as green, except the bridge facility.

Funding maturity profile

Funding sources

-

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

FY19FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25-FY29

Maturity ($m)

NEXIUSPPDomestic bondsBankBridge Facility

49

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
»EBITDAF is Contact’s earnings before net interest expense, tax, depreciation, amortisation, change in fair value of financialinstruments and other significant items

»EBITDAF is commonly used in the electricity industry so provides a comparable measure of Contact’s performance at segment andgroup levels

»Reconciliation of EBITDAF to statutory profit:

»Depreciation and amortisation, change in fair value of financial instruments, net interest and tax expense are explained in the following slide

Year Ended Year EndedVariance

$m30June 201830June 2017$m%

EBITDAF481501(20)4%

Depreciation and amortisation(220)(208)(12)6%

Significant items311(8)(73%)

Net interest expense(84)(93)9(10%)

Tax expense(48)(60)1220%

Profit132151(19)13%

50

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
»The adjustments from EBITDAF to reported profit are as follows:

•Depreciation and amortisation up by $12m (6%) with a full year depreciation from the ICT change and transition programme and higher TCC

depreciation post the major refurbishment

•Change in fair value of financial instruments, which totalled ($2m) in FY18 reflecting mark to market of ASX hedges and CfDs

•Net interest expense decreased $9m (10%) to $84m in FY18 due to reduced average borrowings and lower average interest rates (0.1% on FY17).

The impact on net interest as a result of the adoption of NZ IFRS 16 is estimated at $1m per annum.

•Tax expense for FY18 is $48m compared to $60m in FY17, with the key driver being lower operating earnings.Tax expense represents an effective

tax rate of27%.

51

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
»Underlying profit provides a consistent measure of Contact’s ongoing performance

»Underlying profit excludes the effect of significant items from reported profit. Significant items are determined based on principles approved by the Board of

Directors

»Other significant items are determined in accordance with the principles of consistency, relevance and clarity. Items consideredfor classification as other

significant items include impairment or reversal of impairment of assets; business integration, restructure, acquisition and disposal costs; and transactions or

events outside of Contact’s ongoing operations that have a significant impact on reported profit

»Reconciliation of statutory profit for the year to underlying profit:

Year EndedYear EndedVariance

$m30 June 2018 30 June 2017$m%

Profit132151(19)13%

Change in fair value of financial instruments(3)(23)2087%

Transition costs-7(7)

Remediation for Holidays Act non-compliance-5(5)

Tax on items excluded from underlying profit12(1)

Underlying profit130142(12)8%

52

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
The only adjustment from reported profit to underlying profit for FY18 (also adjusted in FY17) was the:

•Change in the fair value of financial instruments: Movements in the valuation of interest rate and electricity price derivativesthat are not accounted for as

hedges, hedge accounting ineffectiveness and the effect of credit risk on the valuation of hedged debt and derivatives.

The adjustments from reported profit to underlying profit for FY17 are as follows:

•Change in the fair value of financial instruments (see above).

•Transition costs: incurred as a result of the ICT Change and Transition programme which has significantly changed Contact’s ICT infrastructure and

service delivery. Included in the cost is $1m of accelerated depreciation. This project completed in FY17.

•Remediation for Holidays Act non-compliance: At 30 June 2016, Contact disclosed a contingent liability for non-compliance with aspects of the Holidays

Act 2003. At 31 December 2016, a provision representing the best estimate of the cost to resolve the issue, including payments to current and previous

employees, was recognised. There has been no subsequent adjustment to this provision during FY18. Actual payments may differ to the estimate and the

cost recognised will be adjusted accordingly.

53

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
»

Contact has elected to early adopt NZ IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (‘revenue standard’) and NZ IFRS 16 Leases(‘leases

standard’) for the year ended 30 June 2018. Both standards have been adopted retrospectively. This has resulted in the restatement and/or

reclassification of comparatives to conform with the current period’s classification.

»

With the adoption of the revenue standard the incremental costs incurred to acquire new customers are capitalisedas a contract asset instead of

being expensed as incurred. The contract asset is amortisedto operating expenses over the expected life of the customer relationship. Incentives

given to customers are also capitalisedas a contract asset and amortisedto revenue, which is consistent with the previous accounting treatment.

The amortisationperiod has been revised from the contract term to the expected life of the new customer relationship which is 3 years. At 30 June

2018 contract assets held within ‘Trade and other receivables’ totalled$13 million (30 June 2017: $12 million). The average customer relationship is

currently 5 years.

12 months ended 30 June 2017

$mAuditedIFRS 15IFRS 16Restated

Revenue and other income2,080 (1)2,079

Cost ofsales(1,338)3 (1,335)

Other operating expenses(248)5 (243)

EBITDAF494 501

Significant items11 11

Depreciation and amortisation(204)(4)(208)

Net interest expense(92)(1)(93)

Tax expense(59)(1)(60)

Profit150 151

54

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Customer segmentPeriod ended Period ended Variance

$m30 June 2018 30 June 2017 $m%

Mass market electricity884 892 (8)(1%)

Commercial & industrial electricity444 465 (21)(5%)

Gas71 66 5 8%

LPG121 119 2 2%

Other income6 7 (1)(14%)

Total revenue and other income1,526 1,549 (23)(1%)

Inter-segment electricity purchases(587)(596)9 2%

Gas purchases(16)(14)(2)(14%)

LPG purchases(73)(67)(6)(9%)

Electricity networks, levies & meter costs(587)(590)3 1%

Gas networks, levies & meter costs(37)(36)(1)3%

Emission costs(5)(3)(2)(67%)

Total direct costs(1,305)(1,306)-0%

Other operating expenses(112)(125)14 10%

EBITDAF109 118 (9)(8%)

Mass market electricity sales (GWh)3,648 3,702 (54)(1%)

Commercial & industrial electricity sales (GWh)3,349 3,564 (215)(6%)

Retail gas sales (GWh)806 685 121 18%

Total retail sales (GWh)7,803 7,951 (148)(2%)

LPG sales (tonnes)72,845 72,700 145 0%

Average electricity sales price ($/MWH)189.78 186.85 2.93 2%

Electricity direct pass through costs ($/MWh)(83.85)(81.21)(2.64)(3%)

Electricity and gas cost to serve ($/MWh)(12.40)(13.74)1.34 10%

Electricity and gas netback ($/MWh)86.90 86.64 0.26 0%

Actual electricity line losses (%)6%5%1%20%

Retail gas sales (PJ)2.8 2.4 0.4 17%

Electricity customer numbers (closing)420,000 422,500 (2,500)(1%)

Retail gas customer numbers (closing)64,500 63,000 1,500 2%

LPG customer numbers (closing)84,500 77,000 7,500 10%

55

Contact Energy | FY18 Results Presentation 13 August 2018
Generation segmentPeriod ended Period ended Variance

$m30 June 2018 30 June 2017 $m%

Wholesale electricity718 492 226 46%

Commercial & Industrial electricity8 8 0%

Inter-segment electricity sales587 596 (9)(2%)

Steam4 -4 -!

Gas25 25 -0%

Other income3 6 (3)(50%)

Total revenue and other income1,345 1,127 218 19%

Electricity purchases(681)(460)(221)48%

Gas purchases(108)(101)(7)(7%)

Electricity networks & levies(48)(48)-0%

Gas networks & levies (9)(8)(1)(13%)

Carbon emissions(15)(8)(7)89%)

Total cost of goods sold(861)(625)(236)(38%)

Other operating expenses(112)(119)7 6%

EBITDAF372 383 (11)(3%)

Thermal generation (GWh)1,812 1,742 70 4%

Geothermal generation(GWh)3,323 3,233 90 3%

Hydro generation (GWh)3,479 3,562 (83)(2%)

Spot market generation (GWh)8,614 8,537 77 1%

Spot electricity purchases (GWh)7,416 7,683 (267)(3%)

CfD sales (GWh)599 714 (115)(16%)

Steam sales584 602 (18)(3%)

Commercial & industrial electricity sales90 92 (2)(2%)

GWAP ($/MWh)84.65 53.93 30.72 57%

LWAP ($/MWh)(91.69)(60.01)(31.68)(53%)

LWAP/GWAP (%)(108%)(111%)3%3%

Gas used in internal generation (PJ)17.5 17.1 0.4 2%

Gas storage net movement (PJ)(0.3)(3.0)2.7 90%

Unit generation costs ($MWh)(33.1)(32.8)(0.3)(1%)

Cost of energy ($MWh)(28.00)(27.61)(0.39)(1%)

56

---

2018 Annual Report

Contact Annual Report 20182
The energy that makes

the water hot, the milk

cold, keeps the warmth in

and the darkness out, is

nowhere near as vital as

the kind we carry within

ourselves. Human energy

is what makes us different.

It’s the kind of energy that

Contact is built on. And

the same energy that sets

us apart.

Sir Ralph Norris KNZM

Chairman

Sue Sheldon CNZM

Director

This Annual Report is dated 13 August 2018 and is signed on behalf of the Board by:

Contact Annual Report 20183
Contents

Chairman’s Review ..........................................5

CEO’s Review....................................................6

Our Board ..........................................................8

Leadership Team .............................................10

Contact at a Glance ........................................11

Our Business ....................................................15

Focussing on What Matters ...........................16

Customer .........................................................17

Generation ........................................................19

Financial Sustainability..................................20

People ................................................................21

Environment .....................................................24

Community .......................................................27

Governance ......................................................29

Remuneration Report .....................................33

Statutory Disclosures .....................................37

Sustainability Report .....................................40

GRI Index ...........................................................45

Financial Statements ......................................48

Corporate directory ........................................73

Contact Annual Report 20185
As the outgoing chair of Contact’s Board of Directors I have

the privilege of being able to share my perspective on

Contact’s business, the industries it operates in, and the

challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

It is fair to say that New Zealand’s energy industry is

continuing to change at quite a pace.

The already competitive markets that we operate in are

getting more competitive. The pace of technological change

in both operational segments of Contact’s business has

dispelled any notions that we can continue to operate on a

business-as-usual basis. At the same time, the policy

landscape is shifting rapidly too. The change of government

in 2017 has sharpened the focus on climate change in the

eyes of policy makers and the public alike, and the energy

sector is increasingly being expected to play a leading role in

moving New Zealand’s economy off fossil fuels. Recent

developments, like the ban on oil and gas exploration, have

shown that if the energy sector doesn’t adapt, Government

will do it for us.

What this means for Contact is that being adaptable and

agile is no longer a guarantee of a winning hand, but merely a

place at the table. We are laying the groundwork to lead the

low-carbon generation market of the future, while continuing

to operate safely and efficiently in the market realities of

today. In the Customer business, we are developing products

that deliver real value to customers to differentiate Contact

in a market where electricity is unfairly seen as a grudge

purchase, while also ensuring the most vulnerable in society

retain their access to energy.

This is a tough challenge. But it is one Contact is already

delivering on, as is evident from the improvements to all the

operational metrics and the development of execution

capability within the business.

The Board is acutely aware of the scale of the task and pace

of change facing our industry, and has proactively developed

the capabilities to deliver for shareholders, customers and

New Zealand society at large. To ensure we are keeping

abreast with the latest developments, three directors and

members of the executive team recently travelled to the

global technology epicentres of San Francisco, Berlin and

London to gain first-hand insight from those who will most

likely shape the face of energy in the coming decades.

Since my appointment in 2015, Board composition, continuity

and capability have been important considerations for me. It

was therefore immensely pleasing that Rob McDonald will

step into the chair role after almost three years on the Board.

Dame Therese Walsh has also agreed to join the Board as a

new independent director. She fills the vacancy left by Sue

Sheldon who recently resigned after serving as a director for

nine years. The Board and I thank Sue for her service and

significant contribution to Contact.

The Customer and Generation businesses are delivering on

our strategy by focussing on the controllable aspects of the

business with delivery of operational efficiencies.

In FY18, the Generation business delivered record geothermal

production and sustainable cost efficiencies through its

continuous improvement programme, which has helped offset

lower than average hydro generation.

In the Customer business, our brand refresh is an outward

manifestation of the customer-centric changes that have

been implemented in recent years. The ongoing

transformation programme has Contact well on the way to the

aspirational target of being New Zealand’s most advocated-

for energy retailer with the lowest cost to serve.

As a result of this immense effort from our people in the

business, operating costs declined by $20 million (8%) in the

period, and stay-in-business capital expenditure was

$38 million (33%) lower than last year, helping reduce debt by

$97 million in the financial year. The delivery of Contact’s

operational efficiencies, the quality of the generation assets

and the strength of the balance sheet have given the Board

confidence in the business’s ability to generate cash flow,

despite the inevitable short-term earnings swings with

changes in hydrology illustrated in this year’s result. This has

seen the Board declare a full year dividend of 32 cents per

share, up 23% on last year, and target a FY19 dividend of 35

cents per share, up 9% on FY18.

As I prepare to leave, I see a business well placed for the

certainties of the present as well as the uncertain future.

Our long-life renewable generation fleet will mean we will

continue to play a critical part in reducing New Zealand’s

greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the negative effects of

climate change on our environment. Our dependence on

natural resources to generate energy means we will remain a

cornerstone business and employer in provincial

New Zealand. Our belief that customers are at the heart of

every decision means we will continue to provide tailored

energy services so that customers can continue to use

energy in a way that best suits them. And, ultimately, these

efforts culminate in an investment that delivers

for shareholders.

Sir Ralph Norris

Chairman

Chairman’s Review

Contact Annual Report 20186
This year has been a noteworthy one for Contact, not least

because it marks the last time we will be known by our familiar

red brand. In its stead is our new brand, which firmly signals

the beginning of our transformation to become a truly digital

retailer with the in-house agility to adapt to the evolving needs

of our customers. This includes streamlining the channels

through which they interact with us, and surprising and

delighting them with new products and services that

customers value.

It is also a year where the electricity and gas operating

environment has tested us. In the Generation business we

experienced a second successive year of hydro inflows that

were 10% lower than average. Our Customer business

continued to compete hard against an ever-growing number

of start-up retailers and reinvigorated incumbents. In the face

of the challenges, we showed strong financial discipline and

reduced the operating and capital spend by $58 million, an

incredible effort from our dedicated people. Our lean and

low-cost operation sets up Contact for any future and has

given the Board the confidence to increase dividends to

shareholders after a period of serious investment in assets

and systems.

In the last year we also announced two transactions. They

stand out to me as key enablers to accelerate the delivery of

our strategy: the sale of the Ahuroa Gas Storage (AGS)

facility, and the sale of the Rockgas LPG business. Although

on face value they seem like simple disposals at a fair price,

they build significant flexibility into our business. With AGS we

retain access to long-term gas storage services to meet our

flexible thermal generation requirements without the need to

own and operate a gas storage asset. Similarly, the Rockgas

sale frees us up from the fulfilment aspects of the LPG

business while still being able to sell the product to our mass

market customers, which we know is something they value.

The sales proceeds will also strengthen our balance sheet

and add resilience to the company.

Focussing on our core areas of advantage will be key to

succeeding in today’s markets and allowing us to participate

in those that are only just starting to emerge. For example, we

know the demand for low carbon, reliable, renewable

electricity will rise as the economy reduces reliance on fossil

fuels and decarbonises. This will need to be balanced against

access to affordable energy and we will work with the

Government to help shape future policy that will impact our

regulatory environment. New technologies will continue to

disrupt traditional ways of doing business and provide

challenges and opportunities that we need to be prepared for.

I can say with confidence we will be ready for them.

CEO’s Review

CONNECTING WITH CUSTOMERS

The New Zealand energy market remains highly competitive

and, with more retailers competing for attention, it is more

important than ever that we can distinguish our products and

services in the eyes of customers. Our new brand marks the

culmination of a number of years of work to reinvent Contact

as a truly customer-centric digital energy company from the

inside out.

The operational performance of the Customer business over

the last year has given us the confidence in our belief that we

are on the right path, and provides solid momentum to deliver

on our brand promise. Our focus on being New Zealand’s

lowest cost energy retailer with the best customer experience

is delivering results, with customers advocating for us in

greater numbers than ever before (as measured by our Net

Promoter Score) and customers staying longer, with churn

below the market average.

Much of this is attributable to our transformation programme

which continues to deliver operational efficiencies by

empowering the Customer team to remove bottlenecks,

reduce operating costs and react to valuable market

opportunities. This focus resulted in a $13 million reduction in

electricity and gas cost to serve, and a decline in the number

of interactions with customers as the functionality of our

online channels improved. Our proactive approach to the

debt collection cycle has also lead to less debt being written

off and fewer customers in the credit cycle.

Despite these operational improvements, the Customer

business results in the year were impacted by market

headwinds. In particular, increased competition in the

commercial and industrial electricity segments reduced

margins and Contact was unable to pass through the higher

cost of LPG to customers as it rose with global oil prices. As a

result, the Customer business EBITDAF was $109 million in

the period, $9 million lower than FY17.

GENERATING FOR THE FUTURE

Dry conditions impacted the earnings in our Generation

business as the low South Island inflows at the end of FY17

extended into the start of FY18 culminating in a dry, hot

summer. As a result, hydro generation volumes were below

average for the second consecutive financial year and,

although hydrology recovered in the last quarter of FY18, it

was not enough to offset the dry start.

Hydrological variability is expected and our flexible fleet of

generation assets means we are able to increase generation

from our thermal plants and supply energy to our customers

at a fixed price when they need it, not just when it’s raining.

However, the additional cost of gas and carbon to run harder

has weighed on our financial performance in the period.

Unfortunately the timing of the scheduled five-yearly major

refurbishment of our largest thermal plant, the Taranaki

Combined Cycle, occurred during November and December,

a period of unusually higher wholesale prices due to the

dry summer.

Contact Annual Report 20187
CEO’s Review

As a result, operating earnings (EBITDAF) from the

Generation business were $372 million in the period,

$11 million lower than FY17. The portfolio performed as

expected and the 3% reduction was primarily due to lower

returns as a market-making participant on the ASX futures

market and the liquidated damages received in FY17 were not

repeated. The full effect of the dry conditions on our financial

performance was mitigated by our continuous improvement

programme, which is delivering sustainable reductions in

ongoing operating costs and improving the resource

utilisation of our renewable assets.

A key focus for the business is to position itself to support

further decarbonisation of New Zealand’s energy sector. We

see the development of the consented geothermal resources

under our control playing a key role in the transition and

reducing the cost of these renewable generation

developments will provide us with options to close thermal

plant, if gas and carbon costs continue to rise, and help to

keep our cost of energy low. It should be no surprise that as

an operator of geothermal plant for 60 years, it is an area

where we are a clear leader. We are not resting on our

heritage. Since 2015, Contact has improved the efficiency of

our geothermal operations by 7%. While the market

fundamentals don’t currently support new renewable

investment, it is something we plan for and refine, especially

as New Zealand looks to achieve its carbon

reduction ambitions.

OPERATING SUSTAINABLY

Contact can only operate commercially if we ensure the

sustainability of the resources that we rely on, and the

well-being of our stakeholders who rely on us. This principle is

universal and traverses environmental, social and economic

partners. We do not shy away from initiating and developing

these connections, even when at first there seem to be

divergent opinions – this will deliver the best outcomes in both

the short and long term.

This year we committed to the Science Based Targets

initiatives (SBTi) to set emissions reduction targets in line with

limiting global warming to two degrees. We also joined the

Climate Leaders Coalition to help New Zealand transition to a

low emissions economy. We created a climate change

position statement which describes our commitment to

reducing our own emissions while supporting our customers

and other sectors to reduce theirs.

As an owner and operator of iconic national generation

assets, provincial New Zealand is our home. We are an

inseparable part of those communities and have a shared

interest in creating a vibrant future. This year, we were ranked

among the top five companies in New Zealand for community

investment activities on the BACS Social Index, which signals

that our energy is focussed in the right place. We also work

with tangata whenua who have a special relationship with the

resources that we use.

Employees who are respected, included and trusted are a

sustainable advantage and Contact works hard to create a

receptive culture where diversity flourishes. We take the

pulse of our progress with an annual engagement survey,

which pleasingly recorded a five percentage point increase

in engagement to 77% between October 2017 and May 2018.

As a dynamic, progressive organisation we will continue to

adapt and improve to raise engagement.

At Contact we take pride in our excellent safety systems and

generative safety culture, which empowers frontline workers

to take ownership of health and safety outcomes with the

backing of our world-class process safety systems. It follows

that when 14 people were hurt in the year it is incredibly

disappointing. While most of the injuries were strains or

sprains, this does not diminish our resolve for improvement.

As mentioned, a key sustainable priority is working to

position ourselves to take the lead in the decarbonisation of

New Zealand’s energy sector. To be credible in the

conversations with customers, Contact needs to deliver on

our carbon strategy. This means measuring, controlling and

ultimately reducing our emissions.

Under our new brand, we will put our human energy where it

matters: delighting customers, leading the decarbonisation

charge, contributing positively to the communities in which

we operate, and delivering value for shareholders.

I very much look forward to it.

Dennis Barnes

Chief Executive Officer

Contact Annual Report 20188
Sir Ralph Norris KNZM

Chairman and Independent

Non-Executive Director

Term of office

Appointed director 12 November 2015,

last elected 2015 annual meeting.

Board committees

Chairman of the Remuneration and

Nominations Committee

Sir Ralph Norris has over 40 years of

business and banking experience,

having led large organisations through

transformational change in both

New Zealand and Australia. He is

Chairman of Fletcher Building and a

director of RANQX Holdings Limited.

He is a former director of Fonterra

Limited and Origin Energy Limited. He

was managing director and chief

executive of Commonwealth Bank of

Australia for six years until 2011, and

prior to that served as chief executive

of Air New Zealand and ASB Bank. Sir

Ralph was made a Knight Companion

of the New Zealand Order of Merit in

2009 and a Distinguished Companion

of the New Zealand Order of Merit for

services to business in 2006. In 2012

he had conferred on him an Honorary

Doctorate of Business by the

University of New South Wales. Sir

Ralph retires from the Contact Board

on 31 August 2018.

Victoria Crone

Independent Non-Executive Director

Term of office

Appointed director 12 November 2015,

last elected 2017 annual meeting.

Board committees

Member of the Health, Safety and

Environment Committee and member

of the Remuneration and Nominations

Committee

Victoria has over 20 years experience

in the communications and IT sectors.

Her experience spans from start-ups

to mature products across consumer,

small business and enterprise sectors.

She is chief executive of Callaghan

Innovation and chair of Figure.NZ.

A former managing director of Xero

New Zealand, Victoria also held senior

management roles in sales and

marketing at Chorus and Telecom. She

is a passionate kiwi and a member of

NZ Global Women. Victoria holds a

Master’s degree in Commerce and

Administration (Marketing and

Management) from Victoria University.

Sue Sheldon CNZM

Independent Non-Executive Director

Term of office

Appointed director 16 March 2009,

last re-elected 2016 annual meeting.

Board committees

Chairman of the Audit Committee and

member of the Remuneration and

Nominations Committee

Sue Sheldon is a professional company

director. She is chairman of Regenerate

Christchurch and Freightways Limited

and a director of Real Journeys

Limited. Sue has previously held the

roles of chairman of Chorus Limited,

Paymark Limited, NZ Global Women

and the Board of Trustees of the

National Provident Fund, deputy

chairman of the Reserve Bank of

New Zealand and Christchurch

International Airport Limited, and

director of Smiths City Group Limited.

Prior to moving into a professional

director role, Sue practised as a

chartered accountant. She is a former

president of the New Zealand Institute

of Chartered Accountants and was

made a Companion of the

New Zealand Order of Merit in the

Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2007

for services to business. Sue’s

resignation from the Contact Board is

effective on 31 August 2018.

Our Board

Contact Annual Report 20189
Our Board

Whaimutu Dewes

Independent Non-Executive Director

Term of office

Appointed director 22 February 2010,

last re-elected 2016 annual meeting.

Board committees

Chairman of the Health, Safety and

Environment Committee and member

of the Audit Committee

Whaimutu Dewes is of Ngati Porou and

Ngati Rangitihi descent and lives in

Gisborne. He is the chairman of

Aotearoa Fisheries Limited and

Sealord Group Limited. His former

directorships include the Treasury

Board, Housing New Zealand Board,

Television New Zealand Limited and

the AMP New Zealand Advisory Board.

Whaimutu has also held senior

management roles at Fletcher

Challenge and the Department of

Maori Affairs. Whaimutu has a Master’s

degree in public administration and

degrees in Arts and Law.

Elena Trout

Independent Non-Executive Director

Term of office

Appointed director 3 October 2016,

last elected 2016 annual meeting.

Board committees

Member of the Health, Safety and

Environment Committee

Elena is an experienced company

director and a professional engineer

who has held a number of leadership

positions in the transport,

infrastructure and energy sectors. She

has over 30 years of experience in the

management, planning and delivery of

large projects. She is a director of

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Authority, Harrison Grierson Holdings

Limited, Marsden Maritime Holdings

Limited, Ngapuhi Asset Holdings

Company Ltd. Her former

directorships include Electricity

Authority and Transpower

New Zealand Limited. She is a

Past-President of Engineering

New Zealand with a membership status

of Fellow and is a chartered member of

the Institute of Directors. Elena holds a

Master’s of Civil Engineering degree

from Canterbury University.

Rob McDonald

Independent Non-Executive Director

Term of office

Appointed director 12 November 2015,

last elected 2017 annual meeting.

Board committees

Member of the Audit Committee

Rob’s finance career spans over 30

years, having worked overseas before

joining Coopers and Lybrand in the

corporate advisory and valuations

practice in 1985. He is a director of

Chartered Accountants Australia and

New Zealand and Sovereign Assurance

Company Limited, and was formerly

the chief financial officer with Air

New Zealand. From 1 September 2018

he will be a director of Fletcher Building

Limited. He is a former board member

of the Institute of Finance Professionals

New Zealand Inc. and the former vice

chairman of the IATA Financial

Committee. Rob has a Bachelor of

Commerce from Auckland University

and in 1999 completed the Program of

Management Development at Harvard

Business School. He is a Fellow of

Chartered Accountants Australia

and New Zealand.

Contact Annual Report 201810
Dennis Barnes

Chief Executive Officer

Catherine Thompson

General Manager, External Relations

and General Counsel

Tania Palmer

General Manager, People and Safety

Graham Cockroft

Chief Financial Officer

James Kilty

Chief Generation and Development

Officer

Venasio-Lorenzo Crawley

Chief Customer Officer

Leadership Team

Contact Annual Report 201811
Contact at a Glance

OUR TIKANGA

Our purpose is to put our human energy where it matters.

Our tikanga, what we believe in, guides how we bring this purpose to life. It’s our set of beliefs, expressed as a series of

Commitments, Principles and Behaviours; to guide the actions we take, both as individuals and as a whole organisation.

Our Principles

These provide guidance for making decisions every day.

1

We act professionally at all times, in accordance

with laws and regulations.

2

We care deeply about the health and safety of our

people and strive to minimise any health, safety

and environmental impacts on our customers

and communities.

3

We put our energy into things that really matter by:

»Creating value from the resources that

come under our control

»Being inclusive, encouraging diversity and

expression of ideas and opinions (in line with

our Commitments and Behaviours)

»Ensuring the sustainability of our business

»Taking care of the environment by looking

after our natural and shared resources

»Being a good neighbour in the

communities where we operate

»Being authentic.

4

When faced with choices, we make sound

decisions knowing they will be subject to scrutiny.

Our Commitments

These define the sustainable outcomes that we always

strive to achieve for our key stakeholders.

1

Creating value for our customers and communities

by developing smart solutions that make living

easier for them now, and in the future.

2

Creating a rewarding workplace for our people by

valuing everyone’s contribution, encouraging

personal development, recognising good

performance and fostering equality of opportunity.

3

Respecting the rights and interests of communities

by listening to them, and understanding and

managing the environmental, economic and social

impacts of our activities.

4

Being respectful of the rights and interests of our

business partners so we work collaboratively to

create valued, rewarding partnerships.

5

Delivering market-leading performance for

shareholders by identifying, developing, operating

and growing value-creating businesses.

6

Staying a step ahead, anticipating the things that

are going to matter. Not just to our business, but to

New Zealand.

Contact Annual Report 201812
Christchurch

Queenstown/

Wanaka

Invercargill

Clyde

Dunedin

Roxburgh

Auckland

Wellington

Levin

Stratford

Te Rapa

Te M i h i

Ohaaki

Whirinaki

Te H u k a

Wairakei

Poihipi

OUR OPERATIONS

CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS AND VOLUME SOLD BY ENERGY TYPE AS AT 30 JUNE

20182017

Energy typeConnectionsVolume soldConnectionsVolume sold

Electricity416,5006,997 (GWh)

1

423,0007, 2 6 6 (GW h)

2

Natural gas65,000806 (GWh)64,000685 (GWh)

LPG89,20072, 8 4 5 (tonnes)80,00072,700 (tonnes)

To t a l570,700567,000

1. GWh = gigawatt hours.

2. Electricity volume sold in 2017 restated due to change in reporting format.

Contact at a Glance

Offices

Hydroelectric power station

Geothermal power station

Thermal power station

LPG sales and distribution

Head office

Contact Annual Report 201813
South Island

Name OutputCommissionedTypeLocation

Capacity

(MW)

1

2018

Generation

(GWh)

2017

Generation

(GWh)

ClydeHydro1992ConventionalOtago4321,9121,999

RoxburghHydro1956-1962ConventionalOtago3201,5671,563

1. MW = megawatts.

1. MW = megawatts.

2. PJ = petajoules.

Customer connections by account type as at 30 June

20182017

Residential493,300492,000

Business75,80074,000

Other

1

1,6001,000

To t a l570,700567,000

1. Includes LPG connections where data on account type was unavailable.

G E N E R AT I O N B Y S TAT I O N

North Island

Name OutputCommissionedTypeLocation

Capacity

(MW)

1

2018

Generation

(GWh)

2017

Generation

(GWh)

Ahuroa–2011Gas storage facilityTaranakiAbility to store

and extract gas

as conditions

require

Can store up to 18 PJ

2


of gas – enough to run

our Stratford peakers for

12 months at full capacity

OhaakiGeothermal1989Flash steamWaikato44280336

PoihipiGeothermal1996Flash steamWaikato55411403

StratfordThermal1998Combined-cycle gas turbineTaranaki3771,0711,020

StratfordThermal2011Peaker, gas turbineTaranaki210528495

Te H u k aGeothermal2010Binary cycleTa u p o28198189

Te M i h iGeothermal2014Flash steamTa u p o1661,3721,184

Te R a p aThermal1999Open-cycle gas turbine

cogeneration

Waikato44211226

WairakeiGeothermal 1958, 2005Flash steam/binary cycleTa u p o1321,0621,121

WhirinakiThermal 2004Diesel fuel, open-cycle turbineHawke’s Bay15531

Generation by type for the year ended 30 June

Generation type20182017

Hydro (GWh)3,4793,562

Geothermal (GWh)3,3233,233

Thermal (GWh)1,8121 ,74 2

To t a l8,6148,537

Contact at a Glance

Contact Annual Report 201814
Contact is one of New Zealand’s biggest electricity

generators and digital retailers, providing electricity,

natural gas, LPG, and broadband services to over

570,000 customers. Our supply chain demonstrates

what we do, how we do it, and the key things we rely on to

run our business.

Hydro

Rain and snow-melt fill our hydro storage lakes, which we use to

generate electricity from our South Island hydro power stations.

Trading

The electricity we generate is sold on

the wholesale electricity market, which

is transmitted by Transpower to regional

connection points, and then distributed by

local lines companies to customers. We

also trade a range of financial products to

manage our risk and generate value.

Thermal

We buy gas and diesel from producers, which is used in our

thermal plant to support New Zealand’s electricity market

during periods of high demand and/or low supply.

Geothermal

We drill for geothermal fluid and steam at our

steam fields near Taupo. We use this heat to

generate electricity, and sell geothermal heat

to our direct-use customers for use in the

manufacture of timber mouldings, aquaculture

and tourism.

Contact Annual Report 201815
Our Business

Retail

On the retail side of our business,

we buy energy and broadband

services from the wholesale

market and suppliers, around

which we wrap a variety of

services, and on-sell these

products to our customers.

Business customers

We sell electricity, gas, and LPG to small

businesses, as well as commercial

and industrial customers to meet their

energy needs.

Renewable energy

We buy electricity back from households and

businesses equipped with solar panels and

other distributed generation technologies.

Mass market

We provide electricity, natural gas, and broadband

services to households across New Zealand to meet their

energy needs.

LPG

We purchase LPG from producers and supply over 88,000

customers through an extensive network that has national

distribution coverage.

Contact Annual Report 201816
Focussing on What Matters

While all these issues are important, our focus is on the material issues in the top right corner of the report. Our responses to

these issues and results over FY18 form the basis of this report.

Medium priority

BiodiversityLeadership/issue

championship

Access to energy

Customer experience

Changing expectations

Technology

Financial sustainability

Climate change

Water

Employee safety

Diversity

Health and well-being

Leadership development

Partnerships

Local communities

Safer communities

Government

Reliable, renewable energy

MATERIAL

Significance of the impact or opportunity

Influence on stakeholder assessments and decisions

Inequality

Customer well-being

Customers

They’ve told us they want

choice, certainty and

control. Customer service,

competitive pricing, value

for money and flawless

service are also very

important to them.

Investors

Earnings growth, efficient capital

management, and a strong

dividend are important to them.

They are also interested in our

response to the Electricity Price

Review and hydrology risk

management.

Partners and suppliers

They’ve told us that

maintaining positive

relationships, partnerships

and mutual value and

ensuring that they

understand our evolving

needs are key.

Employees

Our people told us

how inclusion and

diversity, leadership

development, and

health and well-being

are important.

Communities

Our communities want us to be a good

neighbour, to look after our natural and

shared resources, to build relationships

based on trust and have open, clear and

early conversations.

Tangata whenua

Partnership, protection and

participation in the management

of natural resources alongside

social, cultural and economic

development are key for them.

Government

A competitive retail market, secure supply

of electricity at reasonable prices, fresh

water, and delivering on New Zealand’s

energy and climate change targets are

important to our government stakeholders.

We also run an annual Stakeholder Council which includes 14 stakeholders, some who have participated every year, some who

are new to the process. The stakeholders selected for this process are chosen because of their broad understanding of

issues, willingness to engage and representativeness. This helps us to achieve dependency, responsibility, tension, influence

and diversity.

The Stakeholder Council helps us to identify and prioritise our material issues by ranking each issue that has been raised.

Collectively, the group decides which the top issues are. We then take these back to the business and consider these

alongside global trends and research and Contact’s own strategy and risks.

We take this information and graph it based on the importance of the issue to our stakeholders and the business impact on

the issue and our ability to influence. We then review it for completeness, balance, sustainability context, materiality and

stakeholder inclusiveness.

To ensure we are reporting on the things that our stakeholders care about, we ask them what matters most.

Our stakeholders include a wide range of representatives from different stakeholder areas across the five pillars of

sustainability – social, cultural, economic, environmental and political. Our key stakeholder managers are continually engaging

throughout the year to get regular feedback. This year they told us:

Contact Annual Report 201817
Customer

As an energy company, we play a vital role in the lives of

hundreds of thousands of individuals and businesses in

New Zealand who rely on the electricity, natural gas, LPG and

broadband we supply. We help them warm their homes,

power their businesses, and connect with their communities

and the world. That’s why we put our time and effort into the

areas that make the most difference to customers.

Our strategy to match customers with the right products, at

the right time, and at the right price has continued to strike a

chord over the past 12 months. Despite highly competitive

conditions supressing mass market electricity connections,

our focus on offering a multi-fuel service has allowed us to

increase the number of customers across electricity, natural

gas and LPG by 3,000. We have also started to offer

broadband services, and over 2,000 customers have joined

us to date. Our customers continue to advocate for us in

greater numbers, with our Net Promoter Score (NPS)

averaging +18 over the past 12 months, up from an average of

+14 last year.

With the activity of over 40 retailers increasing market

switching by 0.90% in FY18, our switching rate of 19.56% was

marginally lower than our 2017 switching rate, and 1.62%

below the market average.

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

We strive to provide our customers with products and

services that give them price certainty, a wide choice of

plans, and control of their usage. But we know that success is

not determined by great products alone. In today’s busy

world the thing most people lack is time. That is why we focus

on responding to queries quickly, and providing multiple

channels through which customers can interact with us – and

in ways that suit them best. Good service and good products

lead to a positive customer experience, and improved loyalty.

This in turn lowers the cost to acquire new customers and

support existing ones.

This year we’ve continued to invest in delivering an

outstanding experience by focussing on our relationships

with our customers. We’ve continued to upskill and empower

our frontline teams to enable them to proactively make

decisions on the spot. This means more customers are

getting their questions answered and issues resolved the

first time they interact with us.

We’ve refreshed our website, made it easier for our

customers to manage their bills and monitor power usage

online, and we’ve also added chat to our website so they can

get immediate online help when they need it. We’ve also

added messages into the body of our billing emails, which

means there’s less chance our customers miss important

information by not opening the attached bill.

Our focus on improving customer experience and business

performance means we’ve been making ongoing changes to

our systems and processes to ensure our service is as

streamlined as possible. Using a business transformation

platform that empowers all people in the Customer team to

identify better ways of doing things, we’ve successfully

delivered 180 business improvements in the past year. A

number of bigger initiatives have also seen us working closely

with our customers to redesign our processes and products.

Contact Annual Report 201818
Access to energy

Access to reliable, sustainable and affordable energy is a

critical issue, and as an energy company we know that we

have a role in helping those most in need to keep their lights

on and homes warm. We believe we must lend our efforts to

those areas that we directly control, as well as those that we

can only influence, such as the wider policy environment.

This is particularly fitting this year, with the Electricity Price

Review enquiry already underway and the Government’s

renewed focus on the housing stock problem, which is a

significant factor in energy poverty in New Zealand.

We’re working with other retailers through the Electricity

Retailers Association of New Zealand to find collaborative

solutions to this complex issue. We’ve also been working

together with community organisations, government

departments and other retailers to identify ways that we can

work more effectively towards solving access to energy

issues in New Zealand.

On a day-to-day basis, the best way we can help customers

maintain access to energy is by ensuring our energy prices

are competitive and that we have the right systems in place

to ensure those critically in need of energy, like medically

dependent customers and those facing material hardship,

get it.

Our customers have also told us that having weekly or

fortnightly payment options that align with their salary and

wages cycles would help with budgeting. We have just

launched this option and look forward to being able to help

make it easier for our customers to manage their finances.

If customers do get into debt, we have a team who

proactively works with customers to manage their

outstanding bills before they get too big. In the past year we

have reduced the amount of debt that is older than 90 days

by 40%. We have also reduced the time customers spend in

the credit cycle, meaning that if we need to disconnect them

as a last resort, they have a lower debt to manage before

they are reconnected.

Over the last quarter of FY18 the average debt at

disconnection had reduced by 25% to $527, which has

allowed customers to be reconnected faster, with 47%

reconnected within 24 hours, up from 27% in FY17. We’ve also

reduced the cost of disconnection and reconnection for our

customers, and we’ve improved the number of

reconnections made within the first 24 hours of a

disconnection occurring.

Customer

Reputation institute - reputation score

Net Promoter Score

18

FY15FY16FY17FY18

14

-3 -8

57

FY15

60

FY16

64

FY17

69

FY18

Contact Annual Report 201819
Generation

Our generation business is focussed on delivering

sustainable electricity as part of our strategy to lead the

decarbonisation of New Zealand’s energy sector. Doing this

sustainably means ensuring there’s enough electricity

available to meet customers’ needs today and in the future,

while keeping costs competitive, and doing our bit to look

after the resources and communities that we work with. This

is enabled by our flexible generation portfolio, backed by our

Continuous Improvement programme, and driven by

our strategy.

OPERATIONS

We maximise production from our renewable hydro and

geothermal assets, with thermal plant providing electricity

when renewable sources are not sufficient to meet demand

from customers (such as in low wind or dry periods, or when

it’s really cold). This strategy has proven its worth this

financial year, as a dry winter extended into a dry summer,

resulting in historical low inflows into the South Island

catchments. Although we have no control over the weather,

our flexible generation portfolio meant we were able to make

greater use of thermal assets to meet electricity demand.

This resulted in our cost of energy rising from $27.61/MWh to

$28/MWh, and increased our emissions by 4% on the prior

year. Even with greater use of our thermal generation plants,

we were able to produce 80% of our electricity from

renewable sources in the last financial year.

In December we announced the sale of Ahuroa Gas Storage

Facility to GSNZ SPV1 Limited, a move that frees up capital

while maintaining our access to the facility as part of a

15-year gas storage services agreement. Our ongoing

Continuous Improvement programme is ensuring we remain

competitive, with operating expenditure of $223 million in

FY18, down 8% on the previous period.

DECARBONISING NEW ZEALAND’S

ENERGY SYSTEM

Our decarbonisation strategy positions us to both support

and benefit from New Zealand’s transition to a low carbon

economy through electrification. This allows us to leverage

opportunities from new technologies, and enable greater

utilisation of our renewable generation options.

Over the year, we have aligned our generation business

around our decarbonisation strategy which focusses both on

taking advantage of commercial opportunities while

demonstrating authenticity in our own actions to tackle

climate change. We’ve invested in a demand management

platform and developed an energy solutions ecosystem, and

we’re more closely aligning our commercial and industrial

sales team with our wholesale energy activities as we continue

to proactively engage with large scale industrial energy users

on energy solutions.

At a governance level, we have also developed a climate

change position, set ambitious emissions reduction targets,

and strengthened our governance oversight and management

systems on climate change and decarbonisation.

A range of future energy scenarios was published by various

bodies over the course of the year and we continue to

undertake our own scenario work to understand pathways to

the Government’s target of 100% renewable electricity in an

average hydrological year.

It is very difficult to predict the future accurately, but we do

believe that customers will adopt lower carbon solutions for

their energy needs over time (transport, industry, and home),

including renewable electricity. We believe that in response to

this growth in demand there will be an increase in renewable

electricity generation, much of it intermittent in nature, making

controllable stored energy a key component of our energy

future. For the medium term, thermal plant will continue to play

a key role. Ultimately, it is unclear how technology and

increased electrical consumption will interact, and so we

adopt a view that near-term demand will grow at a rate of

around 1% annually. We are well placed with our diverse and

flexible fleet and our consented options to meet a range of

demand outcomes in the near to medium term.

Contact Annual Report 201820
Financial Sustainability

We have over $2.7 billion in net assets, more than 64,000 shareholders and 3,500 bondholders around the world who rely on

us to deliver sustainable financial returns now, and into the future. These investors include New Zealand families, investment

firms, professional investors and superannuation funds that people are relying on for their financial security during retirement.

Delivering on the expectations of our investors is vital to our sustainability as a business.

With no large-scale, capital-intensive investments planned in the short term, our business is able to focus on our strategy of

delivering strong cash flows for investors. Over the past year we have continued to focus on improving performance for our

customers, while seeking to unlock additional value for our shareholders through a focus on reducing costs and capital

expenditure across all of our operations.

Contact has had a BBB Standard & Poor’s (S&P) credit rating since 2002. Following a period of significant investment in

building generation assets and updating our systems, our focus has been on reducing debt levels to ensure the rating is

maintained. This investment grade credit rating provides a solid foundation for the management of operational and financial

risks, allows an efficient capital structure and ensures we can access diverse and cost effective sources of funding markets

around the world.

In August 2017 the Board approved a change to our distribution policy to provide greater clarity for investors on expected

future returns. The revised policy targets distributions to shareholders at the level of between 80% and 90% of operating free

cash flow, on average over time once our net debt to EBITDAF ratio falls below 2.8x, as assessed by S&P.

Consistent progress has been made on reducing the net debt to EBITDAF ratio since its peak in our 2015 financial year.

During the year we reduced debt by a further $97 million to bring the ratio down to 3.1x as at 30 June 2018.

This year the Board declared a full-year ordinary dividend of 32 cents per share, of which the final dividend of 19 cents per

share will be paid in September 2018. For the 2019 financial year we will target an ordinary dividend of 35 cents per share, an

increase of 9% on financial year 2018.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS IN REVIEW

For the year ended 30 JuneUnit2014201520162017

2

2018

3

Revenue

$m2,4462,4432,1632,0792,283

Expenses

$m1,8591,9181,6401,5781,802

EBITDAF

$m587525523501481

Profit/(loss)

$m234133(66)151132

Underlying profit

$m227161157142130

Underlying profit per sharecps31.021.921.719.918.1

Operating free cash flow

$m293338352305301

Operating free cash flow per sharecps40.046.648.542.642.0

Dividends declared

1

cps2676262632

Total assets$m6,1866,0895,652 5,455 5,311

Total liabilities$m2,6042,9182,8292,6772,584

Total equity$m3,5823,1712,8232,7782,727

Gearing ratio%2736383635

1. FY15 included a special dividend of 50 cents per share.

2. Figures have been restated for the adoption of NZ IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and NZ IFRS 16 Leases.

3. Figures above reflect the combined result and position for the continuing operations and discontinued operation.

Contact Annual Report 201821
People

Our people are vital to driving world-class performance.

They connect with our customers, shareholders, suppliers,

business partners, tangata whenua, government, and

communities. They are a rich source of innovative ideas that

drive our competitive edge.

That is why we invest significant time and energy to ensure

we hire, develop and keep great talent, and foster a

workplace that engages our people, rewards their

performance, is safe, and encourages inclusion and

expression of different views.

ENGAGING OUR PEOPLE

The measure we use to tell us if we are providing an enriching

and rewarding workplace is how engaged our people are.

For many years we used an employee engagement survey,

independently facilitated by AON Hewitt, to identify where

we were getting things right and where improvements were

needed. This measure showed we were making positive

progress, with a score of 68% in 2017.

We recently moved to a new people survey called

AskYourTeam, a tool that gives us a more direct insight into

what our people think and enables more agility for managers

to action and monitor progress. Our first survey in October

2017 noted an engagement score of 72%. We acted on the

feedback from this survey, implemented a number of

changes and as a result saw our engagement score rise to

77% in the May 2018 survey.

Key to lifting this score has been a focus on developing the

capability of our leaders. A first step was to broaden our

definition of leadership to include people leadership,

technical leadership, and influencers. To support our current

and future leaders, we’ve introduced the Hogan predictive

assessment tools – to help us de-bias our leadership and

selection decisions, gain a more comprehensive view of

future potential (rather than relying only on past

performance), and support succession planning and

leadership development. We’re also refining our leadership

development programmes to align with this work.

EMBRACING DIVERSITY

A truly diverse workforce manifests in great company

performance and a good reputation that attracts the best

talent. We see diversity as an important contributor to our

competitiveness, providing a source of creative ideas from a

wide range of perspectives, allowing us to solve problems

faster and achieve better business performance. Our

stakeholders also value organisations whose make-up

reflects that of broader society. This is why we place such a

strong focus on fostering an inclusive work environment

through our diversity and inclusion policy.

We have already achieved a number of milestones. In FY18

our Board of Directors was one of the most diverse among

New Zealand-listed companies, with equal gender

representation and two directors of Maori descent. Our

female employees earn on average 97% of the average

salary of male employees in the same salary band, the same

as we reported last year. We were also ranked first in the

2017 Thomson Reuters Diversity & Inclusion Index, a gain of

five places on 2016.

We’re proud of these achievements and recognise that they

are milestones on a journey to make inclusion and diversity a

self-sustaining behaviour within our organisation.

To deepen our understanding of the issue, this year we

conducted a series of in-depth workshops across all of our

sites. The findings encouragingly show our people value

diversity and our sites need different levels of support to help

them fully embrace inclusion within their workplace culture.

We are currently working with each of our sites to support

them to meet these challenges.

Contact Annual Report 201822
FLEXIBLE WORK

People’s home lives do not always keep nine-to-five hours.

For us to attract and keep talent from as wide-a-pool as

possible, we need to provide a flexible work environment that

accommodates life’s other commitments. This is why this

year we launched Contactflex, a programme that

encourages all our people to consider flexible working

options to balance their work and home lives.

Our Recruiting and Acquisitions team is using Contactflex to

position Contact as an employer of choice. We’ve signed up

to Flex Careers, Getaflex and Job Café to connect with

women looking to get back into the workforce. We are

currently undergoing Rainbow Tick accreditation – designed

to ensure our workplace is safe and inclusive for people of

diverse gender identity and sexual orientation. The term

‘rainbow’ includes people who are LGBT+ or lesbian, gay,

bisexual, transgender, and other people who don’t feel they

fit conventional categories when it comes to gender or sexual

identity. We’re also a founding partner of The Diversity (A)

Gender, an Engineering New Zealand initiative aiming to

increase the number of female engineers in senior roles.

To support achievement of our business strategies, we’re

also reviewing our critical roles, capability strengths and

gaps, succession planning, and how we develop talent. Over

the last year we’ve re-aligned our Generation workforce to be

more efficient and flexible to move our strategy forward.

While these changes saw the creation of new roles to

support our future strategy, it resulted in a reduction of

headcount overall.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

People are the lifeblood of our business, and our Health,

Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS) is

designed to keep them, and the environment and

communities they operate in, safe. As a major energy

producer and supplier, our focus has long been on physical

safety, especially in our power stations and LPG delivery

business, where there is an elevated risk of injury due to the

nature of the activity.

Our approach is to empower and trust our people to make

the right decisions, and to constructively help them learn

from mistakes when things don’t go as planned. This

generative approach has made us a health and safety leader

in New Zealand.

This year we improved our safety focus with a new HSEMS,

which was created in-house. This framework is simple,

flexible and forward-looking, with a set of commitments

across five areas guiding our people to take ownership in

how they bring these to life in their day-to-day work.

Our people have also told us they want a broader focus on

health as well as safety, with more support around stress,

mental health and workload.

We have rethought our approach to occupational health

monitoring, and in the year ahead we will offer regular health

checks for all our people, not just those working in high risk

areas. These health checks will cover physical, nutritional,

mental and general health and well-being and advice. Doing

this will give us more visibility of our people’s health and

well-being and where there might be trends and gaps,

facilitating more targeted support.

We are also working proactively to address the psychosocial

risks encountered by our customer-facing staff, providing

change resilience support as we work through business

changes, and supporting our leaders to take a whole-person

approach to managing their teams. This will complement the

employee assistance programme we already have in place,

where we offer free counselling services to our people.

58% Males

42% Females

Gender

30 - 50

Over 50

Under 30

Undisclosed

44%

32%

21%

3%

European

Other

Undisclosed

Maori

Asian

Pasifika

AMELA

1

39.2%

29.8%

2 7. 9 %

6.7%

5.7%

2.9%

0.5%

Age group

Ethnicity

FY18FY17

Corporate98.7%97.1%

Customer97.7 %98.3%

Generation and Development97.1%96.8%

Overall97. 4%98.0%

1. We measure pay equity difference within salary bands using the average

compa-ratio between males and females.

Gender pay ratio by business group

1

People

1. African, Middle Eastern or Latin American.

Contact Annual Report 201823
People

Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate – controlled activity

Controlled activity is where we require work to be

undertaken using the guidance of our HSEMS, e.g. work

undertaken on our sites, or by our people on customer sites,

etc. Our controlled TRIFR number tells us how many people

have been harmed, including contractors, public visitors to

our sites as well as our own people. To calculate our TRIFR,

we divide the number of incidents that needed medical care,

or resulted in restricted work or required time off, by the

hours worked and multiply this by 1 million.

2018

This year our controlled TRIFR was 5.2 with 14 injuries (11

male and 3 female) and was higher than our target of 1.9

(which was based on 6 injuries). While this number is higher

than we hoped for, our positive reporting culture ensured we

learned from these events. As in past years, most of these

injuries were minor and consisted mainly of sprains

and strains.

Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate – monitored activity

Monitored activity covers work performed by our partners

under their own HSE systems, e.g. meter reading and

maintenance, LPG franchises, bulk LPG distribution, etc.

Contact works collaboratively with our partners to ensure

HSE systems are aligned with Contact’s standards. Our

monitored TRIFR measures the number of contractors hurt

working for Contact and we proactively work with our

contractors and industry partners to learn from these issues

and agree solutions.

2018

Our monitored TRIFR for the year was 13.9 with 6 injuries (all

male) which was slightly above our target of 10.7 (also based

on 5 injuries). This is an improvement on the prior period

where TRIFR was 12.7. We calculate this figure by dividing the

number of incidents that needed medical care, have limited

work or resulted in time off, by the hours worked and multiply

this by 1 million.

20.8

FY14

25.4

FY15

16.6

FY16

12 .7

FY17

13.9

FY18

4

FY14

1.9

FY15

3.3

FY16

3.2

FY17

5.2

FY18

This table represents the number of process safety incidents

recorded across our operations. We use the American

Petroleum Institute’s Recommended Practice 754 as the basis

of our process to identify and then classify process safety

incidents. Any incidents resulting in harm to people are

also recorded.

2018

In FY18 we saw the more serious Tier 1 and Tier 2 safety

incidents drop to zero, albeit from a very low base in FY17. This is

a result of embedded awareness of process safety, which has

led to early identification and management of issues.

Of the 78 Tier 3 incidents, roughly a third related to our

automatic protection operating as designed to keep our plant

safe, another third related to minor losses of containment of

material, and the remainder was due to various faults in

safety-related equipment (in all cases other equipment was

available to ensure safe operation) and anomalies in our

procedures for isolating equipment.

Process safety incidentsTotal Incident Severity Rate

This year we’ve formally monitored Total Incident Severity

Rate (TISR), an HSE measure that is an early indicator

metric. TISR assesses all HSE events and considers both

actual and potential consequences so that we get a view of

how well our defences are working for our critical risks. TISR

incorporates process safety events, injuries and general

safety events. It uses a weighting system to ensure incidents

with higher risk potential are highlighted within the

calculation and, similar to TRIFR, it uses working hours to

calculate the rate.

TISR was 3,500 within controlled activity in FY18 (compared

to 3,100 in FY17), while TISR in monitored activity was 10,600

for FY18 (compared to 8,200 in FY17).

TISR has increased slightly within controlled activity due to

more minor injuries being reported, in alignment with the

TRIFR increase.

Within monitored activity, we have seen an increase in

reporting practices from our contracting partners resulting in

more incidents being reported, including a number of

incidents with a serious potential consequence within Field

Services work.

SAFETY METRICS

FY14FY15FY16FY17FY18

Tier 121000

Tier 291120

Tier 34560887279

Contact Annual Report 201824
Environment

We rely on many natural resources to generate electricity.

It is important that we look after these resources so that we

can continue to supply reliable electricity to

New Zealanders, and ensure these resources are available

for future generations.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is a real global challenge that will affect our

communities, our economy and our environment.

We produce greenhouse gas emissions from our activities,

primarily our thermal and geothermal plant. We’re focussed

on reducing these in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of

limiting the global temperature increase to 2 degrees

Celsius, while also supporting our customers to reduce

their emissions.

Our stakeholders and customers have told us that energy

resilience is important to them, so we’re committed to

maintaining affordable, sustainable and reliable access to

energy. We also see commercial opportunities in the

transition to a low carbon economy and are open to forging

partnerships that enable us to offer low carbon solutions to

our customers.

Risks and opportunities

Climate-related risks and opportunities are considered

during our annual strategy process. This involves a thorough

analysis of our operating environment, and takes a range of

environmental, economic and social factors into

consideration. We use this information, as well as a range of

other reports, analysis and data, to create future scenarios

that guide management’s decision-making. For example, in

FY18, Contact undertook analysis to further understand

decarbonisation pathways for the New Zealand electricity

s e cto r.

The risks of a changing climate and its effects on natural

resources, especially in regards to water, affect our strategy

and financial planning. This was evident over autumn and

summer where historically low inflows in the Clutha Mata-Au

catchment required us to run our thermal power stations

more in order to maintain a reliable supply of energy.

Risk assessments using the International Energy Agency

450 scenario highlight the risks to the availability of fuel for

electricity generation, but also signal that the Clutha

Mata-Au catchment may receive increased rainfall over the

longer term.

We’ve identified several climate-related risks, including

changes in demand for electricity, changing customer

expectations and the potential for increasing costs to supply

electricity. There are also opportunities in this area as

customers adopt lower carbon energy sources, like

renewable electricity (grid connected or distributed).

More details of the short-, medium- and long-term

climate-related risks and opportunities can be found in the

Sustainability Report on page 40.

STRATEGY

Our renewable electricity generation fleet and development

options mean we’re well placed to supply electricity to

industry as it looks to move from high-emission fuel sources,

like coal, to electricity, or to lower-emission transitional fuels,

like natural gas.

As the leading geothermal company in New Zealand, we’re

also exploring ways to use this heat directly in the

manufacturing process.

Our renewable generation fleet is complemented by thermal

plant, which is critical to ensure reliable electricity supply

during adverse hydrological conditions, and as the share of

intermittent renewable generation grows. This diverse

generation fleet gives us the flexibility to respond to potential

risks and opportunities as they arise, but can result in higher

operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions when it is

called on to support New Zealand.

Contact Annual Report 201825
Metrics and targets

We use a number of metrics to assess climate-related risks

and opportunities in line with our strategy and risk

management processes. We monitor commodity costs, such

as carbon and coal prices, the advancement of new

technologies, the costs of electricity generation

technologies, regulation changes, marginal abatement costs

and international trends.

This year Contact committed to the Science Based Targets

initiative (SBTi), using the sectoral decarbonisation

methodology to set emissions targets in line with limiting

global warming to 2 degrees. Our unverified

1

targets are:

a. 30% reduction of 2018 Scope 1 emissions by 2030

(absolute emissions reduction target)

b. 36% reduction of 2018 emission intensity by 2030

(emissions intensity target)

c. 1 petajoule (PJ) of fossil fuel energy displaced by

renewable energy by 2022 (electrification target).

Over the last seven years, our strategy has enabled us to

reduce our emissions by 51%.

Our targets do not include any offsetting from domestic or

international schemes.

1. Verification is intended to be completed in FY19.

OUR EMISSIONS

Our greatest emissions are in our Scope 1 emissions from

power generation at our thermal and geothermal operations

and through fuel use in our vehicles. We monitor our direct

emissions and other discharges to air in line with resource

consents and reporting requirements under the Emissions

Trading Scheme. Accurate monitoring enables us to track

progress against targets and ensure transparency in

reporting. This year we are voluntarily reporting our Scope 1,

2 and 3 emissions in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol

2004, and we have rebased our Scope 1 emissions to align

across the three scopes. We have also applied the

operational control consolidation approach, which allows us

to focus on those emissions sources that we have control

over and have the ability to change.

This year our emissions from electricity generation increased

by 4% on the prior year as a result of low hydro inflows in

South Island catchments over summer and autumn, which

required us to run our thermal power stations more to

maintain electricity supply.

Water

Our use of water in our operations can affect this resource in a

number of ways. We pass water through the dams on a

non-consumptive basis but there are other river impacts such

as sedimentation and disruption to fish passage. Our

geothermal operations use fresh water for cooling, and we

discharge some geothermal fluid into rivers. In our thermal

power stations, fresh water is used for cooling and to reduce

air discharges. At Te Rapa power station we also produce

super-heated steam for Fonterra.

Continued supply and access to fresh water is crucial to our

operations. Competing users, potential regulatory changes,

water charges, and other issues all pose risks to our access of

this resource, but also present opportunities for Contact to

play a leadership role in these areas.

Our management of these risks is guided by our water

position, which states that water should be shared by all

New Zealanders, and our access to this resource is a privilege

that comes with responsibilities. As such, we’re committed to

using this resource as efficiently as possible, enhancing its

quality, and ensuring sustainable access to water for cultural,

recreational, and other economic uses. This policy is central

to all the decisions we make in relation to water.

To support our sustainable management of freshwater

resources, we created a water dashboard which makes it

easier to monitor use across our operations. We used

14,399,800 megalitres of water over this financial year.

Ninety-nine per cent of this water was not consumed, but

returned to rivers or geothermal reservoirs, with the

remainder discharged in line with our resource consents.

Overall water usage for processing, cooling and consumption

in our thermal power stations was 1,656.95 megalitres.

At our hydro operations, this year we worked with farmers,

irrigators, environmental groups, iwi and regulators to resolve

appeals on the Otago Regional Policy Statement without the

need for an Environment Court hearing. We have continued to

provide water to a third party for irrigation through a pipeline

from Lake Dunstan into the Fraser River. And we also worked

closely with bore users in the Hawea area to manage

historically low water levels on the dam.

At our Wairakei power station, where we discharge some

geothermal water to the Waikato River, our maximum arsenic

discharge limit was decreased in August 2017 from 53 tonnes

per year to 34 tonnes per year. To ensure we met this new

limit, our volume of reinjected fluid was increased through a

number of projects across the steamfield. The total arsenic

discharged to river in FY17 was 8.8 tonnes lower than FY16.

Emissions from electricity generation (tCO2e)

Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Scope (tCO2e)

FY12FY13FY14FY15FY16FY17FY18

0

1, 000,000

2, 000,000

3, 000,000

1, 500,000

2, 500,000

500,000

Scope 2

0.05%

Scope 3

21%

Scope 1

79%

Environment

Contact Annual Report 201826
We also committed to a long-term partnership with Te Kapa

o te Rangiita to restore the Te-Rau-o-te-huia stream.

Ecological investigations found koura (crayfish), tuna (eels),

brook char, and many native plants. The stream is significant

to local iwi as a site of historical kai and kokowai gathering,

and also provides fresh water for use throughout our

geothermal steamfields.

Contact actively engages in conversations at a district,

regional and national level and supports activities that are

consistent with our position on water. We have held a

long-term position on the Land and Water Forum, which has

provided advice to the Minister for the Environment in

relation to the careful balances needed to significantly

improve New Zealand’s water quality, while maintaining

social, economic and cultural equity.

Total water usage for year ended 30 June 2018

1

Source / water useWithdrawal (ML)Discharge (ML)

Geothermal reservoir1 07, 0 0 8

River and surface water3,031

Water from third parties344

Council53

Discharge from all sources20,448

To t a l110,43620,448

1. Management of the use and impact on water is largely done through our

resource consent compliance activities.

Non-consumptive water usage (ML)

Source / water use(ML)

Clutha Mata-Au River water13,888,694

Geothermal reservoir68,716

Geothermal cooling water331,954

To t a l14,289,364

Grand total14,399,800

In July, our main Stratford water take pump at the Patea River

intake failed. While this pump was being fixed, we were able to

re-use all of the available water from sources on-site and only

purchased an extra 827 cubic metres of potable water.

Biodiversity

New Zealand has rich and varied biodiversity which is

increasingly threatened. As a major natural resources user,

we see ourselves as stewards of the resources under our

control, and we have a responsibility to protect, maintain and

enhance the biodiversity of the areas we operate in.

Throughout the year, protection and advancement of

biodiversity have been central to our conversations with

communities and tangata whenua.

The diverse nature of our operations means that our impacts

differ across each of our sites, which is why we take a

site-by-site approach to biodiversity management, and

develop a site-specific management plan for each site, or bio

bubbles as we refer to them. So far we have biodiversity

management plans in place for 50% of our operational sites,

and expect to have plans in place for all our sites by 1

September 2019. For Contact, protection of biodiversity

means protecting the indigenous ecosystems that were

present before our operations altered them. Our goal is to

have thriving and sustainable ecosystems within all habitats

that we influence.

Geothermal

Our geothermal operations can affect the existing habitat of

at-risk or threatened thermotolerant species. In addition, our

discharges to freshwater can negatively affect water quality.

We work hard to mitigate these impacts, and this year we have

increased our focus on protecting these areas by fencing off an

area of thermotolerant plants to reduce the impact from animals

and humans, and we have also removed exotic species from this

area. In addition, a co-ordinated pest control programme was

started in October with the installation of 97 predator traps,

which has caught over 400 pests so far.

In Ohaaki, the creation of a flood protection bund along the

Waikato River provided a habitat for the planting of over 38,000

native plants. We’ve also started work to restore a small wetland

through an exotic plant control programme.

We continue to sponsor the Greening Taupo and Kids Greening

Taupo education and environmental initiatives, which aim to

increase native flora and fauna of the district. We also support

the Kiwis for Kiwi programme, a Department of Conservation-

managed initiative that helps rehabilitate the native kiwi

population by removing eggs from the wild and later releasing

fully grown birds back into nature.

Hydro

The biggest biodiversity impacts from our hydro operations are

in the disruption of fish movements. Our Roxburgh, Hawea and

Clyde dams were built many decades ago with little

consideration to fish passage, which has made it challenging to

maintain the migratory patterns of native fish, including eel

and lamprey.

Over the year we have been working with key stakeholders,

including the Department of Conservation, Ngai Tahu and the

South Island Eel Industry Association, to discuss ways to

improve the population and habitat of longfin eel in the Clutha

Mata-Au catchment.

Key to these efforts will be tracking the population of threatened

species. To this end, in April a major study of resident and

migrant eel populations in Roxburgh, Hawea and Dunstan lakes

was completed. Over 530 nets were set, resulting in the humane

capture of 1,096 longfin eel, who were all weighed, measured

and released. The results of this study will help us understand

the health of the eel population in our hydro lakes, and inform our

trap and transfer process.

We also installed a new elver trap at the Roxburgh Dam in time

for the 2018 run to support the passage of fish. The new trap has

been highly successful, with over 25 kilograms caught in the last

elver season, a significant improvement on last year.

In addition, we’ve worked with the Department of Conservation

and private landowners to restore three different farmland sites

for three at-risk species as part of our Native Fish Management

Programme. These partnerships focussed on replanting, habitat

restoration and maintenance projects, which saw volunteers

plant 2,675 native species. These efforts on the Waitahuna River,

Lovells Stream, and the Clutha Mata-Au River will enhance the

habitat of a number of native fish species, including longfin eel

(tuna), kanakana, giant kokopu, and whitebait (inanga).

Thermal

In Taranaki, local and central government, and the community are

working to become the first predator-free region in New Zealand.

We are supporting this through Project Stoat, a predator trapping

programme at our Stratford site that has been running for two

years. Over the past year, 69 predators have been trapped along

two to three kilometres of stream margin.

Overall, our ongoing restoration and maintenance programmes

saw a total of 66,335 trees planted in FY18 and 78 hectares

protected across all operational sites since these initiatives began.

Environment

Contact Annual Report 201827
Communities have an important role as stewards and shared

users of the resources we rely on for our business. Ensuring

we play our part as a good neighbour and community

member is an important part of maintaining our licence to

operate both in the short and long term. In practical terms

that means establishing long-term relationships based on

trust with local stakeholders, being a trusted steward of the

environments we operate in, and lending our support to good

causes. Our community support is guided by local

sponsorship committees that we’ve established at our sites.

CAUSES BIG AND SMALL

Our approach to community investment is to keep it local,

and to put our energy into the causes that matter to our

people and our communities.

Contact has been a long-time supporter of the Alexandra

Blossom Festival, and this marks the 14th year that we have

supported this family-friendly event, and the 10th year

since we became the principal partner. We’ve also

continued to support Swimwell Taupo, who we’ve partnered

with since 2010, which saw around 3,500 students receive

swimming and water safety training over the course of

th e year.

Also, 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of Contact Epic, a

125 kilometre race around Lake Hawea, which takes riders

on a unique but gruelling tour of private and conservation

land. We have been principal partner of this event since its

inception, and a portion of the funds raised goes to

support the Hawea District community. We also continue

to operate and maintain a webcam at the top of Clyde Dam

to help recreational users on Lake Dunstan gauge local

weather conditions.

Community

This year the Wairakei Charity Golf Tournament raised

$27,500 to support the local animal charity CARE. The event

was started 17 years ago by our people to support local

charities and organisations.

In addition to these recurring events, we supported a number

of individual community initiatives. In June we launched our

energy audits for schools initiative in Taranaki, a pilot

programme that sponsors free energy audits to help them

become more efficient with their energy use. We also

donated $5,000 of electricity to a shelter in Rotorua.

The Contact Renal Fund, which was started in 2009,

continues to support Northland patients on dialysis to lessen

the hardships they often face when dealing with treatment at

home. We provided funding support to the Reporoa College

CACTUS programme, a youth development programme that

aims to assist local youth in their personal development. It is

run by the police with support from the local community. We

also raised $45,000 for Wellington Free Ambulance partly

through the donation of a gift, which was auctioned at the

service’s 90th birthday gala.

In addition, we dedicated 1,256 employee volunteer hours to

community organisations that our people have identified as

good causes. Some examples of organisations supported by

our people include the Porirua Homework Club, Octacan,

Zealandia, Foodbank, and Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

Our community work has also been recognised. In

December 2017 we were awarded an 8 out of 10 on the BACS

Social Index, a corporate social responsibility ranking of 100

New Zealand businesses. This ranks us among the top five

companies in New Zealand for community investment

activities, and underscores our commitment to being a good

corporate citizen.

Contact Annual Report 201828
TA N G ATA W H E N U A

We interact with various iwi and hapu (indigenous

communities) who have a special relationship with the

resources that we use. We aim to be proactive in this space

and have a tangata whenua strategy that guides us in

maintaining these relationships, some of which have been

formalised through mitigation agreements as part of our

consenting processes.

We recognise that, in order to strengthen our business

sustainability, these relationships have to be respectful,

positive, aligned on shared long-term goals, and mutually

beneficial. Our Maori internship programme, for example,

aims to grow our relationships with iwi by giving people an

opportunity to gain work experience, while building our

capacity to grow an inclusive and diverse workplace. It

enables us to learn more about one another, recognising our

different viewpoints but shared values. The programme,

which has been running for four years, saw six interns work

on a range of projects this year, spanning from emissions

data collection through to building a stakeholder registry for

our sites. We also partnered with Waikato University to

co-fund two of these internships.

In 2018 we teamed up with Geo40 and Ngai Tahu Tribal

Lands Trust to extract silica from our geothermal fluid as

part of a world-leading sustainable energy initiative. Our iwi

partners on the Ohaaki steamfield will receive an ongoing

revenue stream, as well as employment opportunities for

tribe members, and it will also improve the clarity of a local

ngawha (natural hot spring).

We have also mutually leveraged the strength of this

relationship to benefit other indigenous communities. This

year Contact and Ngati Tahu were awarded the prestigious

2018 US Energy Association Corporate Volunteer Award for

helping power company KenGen and Maasai communities

establish a sustainable partnership to co-manage

geothermal resources in Kenya.

This year we also started a formal process to grow our

relationship with Wairakei and Tauhara hapu, and are working

to establish a Mahinga Kai trust with Ngai Tahu.

Community

Contact Annual Report 201829
Governance

At Contact we believe that good corporate governance is

important as it protects the interests of investors and

creates and enhances value over the short and long term.

We regularly review our corporate governance systems and

are always looking for opportunities to improve the way we

do things.

As at 30 June 2018, we comply with all of the

recommendations of the NZX Corporate Governance Code.

Our full reporting against the NZX Code is set out in our

Corporate Governance Statement, which is available on our

website at contact.co.nz/aboutus/investor-centre/

governance. A summary of our corporate governance

practices is set out in this section of the annual report.

Unless otherwise stated all of the information in this section

is current as at 30 June 2018.

CONTACT’S BOARD

The Board’s role and responsibilities

Our Board is elected by our shareholders and is accountable

to them for the performance of Contact. The Board’s

primary role is to ensure the long-term prosperity of Contact.

Specific responsibilities include:

»setting and approving the strategic direction of

Contact

»monitoring financial performance

»ensuring appropriate systems are established to

manage risk

»reviewing and approving our compliance systems

»overseeing our commitment to our tikanga.

Board composition

Our Board consists of six directors, with a wide range of

skills, experience and points of view. The Contact Board is

one of the most diverse in the top 50 New Zealand listed

companies, with 50% female representation and two

directors who are highly regarded for their Maori heritage.

Profiles of each director, including length of service, are set

out on page 8.

The Board has developed a skills matrix, which sets out the

skills that the Board believes are necessary for Contact’s

success and measures the key skills of each director against

the desired skills. It is not expected that every director will be

an expert in every area, but all skills should be represented in

the Board as a whole. Candidates for appointment are

assessed against the skills matrix with a focus on areas of

competence the Board is looking to acquire with any new

appointments.

One-third of our directors is required by our constitution to

retire by rotation at each annual meeting and are eligible to

stand for re-election by shareholders. That means each

director is up for re-election at least every three years.

Information about candidates for election or re-election is

included in the notice of meeting to assist shareholders’

decision as to whether or not to elect or re-elect

the candidate.

The Board considers all of the current directors to be

independent in that they are not executives of the company

and do not have a direct or indirect interest or relationship

that could reasonably influence, in a material way, their

decisions in relation to Contact.

Board performance

We recognise the value of professional development and the

need for directors to remain current in relation to both

industry and corporate governance matters. Contact assists

directors with their professional development in a number of

ways, including an induction programme for new directors

and briefings to upskill the Board on new developments,

such as changes to relevant law.

Contact Annual Report 201830
CommitteeMembers

AuditSue Sheldon (chair)

1

Whaimutu Dewes, Rob McDonald

Remuneration and NominationsSir Ralph Norris (chair)

1

Victoria Crone, Sue Sheldon

Health, Safety and EnvironmentWhaimutu Dewes (chair)

Victoria Crone, Elena Trout

1. Dame Therese Walsh will be Audit Committee chair and Rob McDonald will be

Remuneration and Nomination Comittee chair from 1 September 2018.

Each committee operates under a written charter, which is

available on our website. Detailed information about the role

and responsibilities of each committee is available in our

Corporate Governance Statement.

Attendance at Board and committee meetings

Board

Audit

Committee

Health,

Safety and

Environment

Committee

Remuneration

and

Nominations

Committee

Number

of

meetings

11333

Sir Ralph

Norris11 3* 2*3

Victoria

Crone1023

Whaimutu

Dewes11331*

Rob

McDonald1121*

Sue

Sheldon1133

Elena

Tr o u t112*3

* The relevant director is not a member of the committee, but attended as an

observer.

Reviews of the performance of the Board and individual

directors are carried out regularly to ensure the Board as a

whole and individual directors are performing to a high

standard. A comprehensive review is carried out every two

years, the last one being an external review of individual

directors, the Board and committees by Propero Consulting

Limited in FY17. In FY18, the Board has focussed on

implementing the recommendations that came out of this

review. In addition, a review of the performance of each

director standing for re-election at the annual meeting is

carried out before that meeting and the Board’s

recommendation on re-election, as a result of that review, is

made available to shareholders in the notice of meeting.

Board committees

The Board has established Board committees to perform

work and provide specialist advice in particular areas. We

have three standing committees: the Audit Committee; the

Remuneration and Nominations Committee; and the Health,

Safety and Environment Committee. Members are chosen

for the skills, experience and other qualities they bring to the

relevant committee.

The current members of the committees are:

Governance

OUR CORPORATE POLICIES

Code of conduct

We are guided by our tikanga – our set of beliefs, comprising

our purpose, commitments, principles and behaviours.

These beliefs guide the actions we take, both as individuals

and as an organisation, our decision-making and the way we

treat each other and our customers, shareholders and the

communities we are part of.

Our Code of Conduct outlines how Contact people are

expected to behave. It applies equally to our directors,

employees and contingent workers (such as contractors).

Our tikanga sits at the heart of our Code of Conduct.

Contact people are encouraged to report breaches, or

suspected breaches, of the Code of Conduct to their

manager, a Leadership Team member or a representative

from People and Safety. Breaches of the Code of Conduct or

other serious wrongdoing may also be reported via the

‘whistleblowing’ procedures of our Protected Disclosures

(Whistleblowing) Policy, which includes an option for people

to report an issue or potential issue through an independent

reporting service.

Securities trading

Our Securities Trading Policy sets out Contact’s

expectations and requirements for all our people, including

directors, when buying, selling or otherwise dealing with

Contact shares or bonds.

In addition to the prohibition on insider trading, Contact

people must not buy or sell Contact securities during

‘blackout periods’. These blackout periods occur twice per

year, before each of the half- and full-year results. Certain

individuals within Contact, including the directors, all

members of the Leadership Team and some others

(‘restricted persons’) must obtain the written consent of the

company before buying or selling Contact securities (which

can only occur outside of blackout periods).

We offer our people training on insider trading law and

Contact procedures. Anyone who, from time to time, is likely

to be in possession of material information about Contact

that is not available to the market is required to complete this

training every year. Through our share registrar, Link Market

Services (Link), we actively monitor trading in Contact shares

by our restricted persons.

Inclusion and diversity

We believe an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce leads

to diversity of thought, better decision-making, drives

stronger business performance, and creates a stronger

economy and a better world.

Our Inclusion and Diversity Policy, which was approved by

the Board in June 2017, provides the framework for diversity

and inclusion initiatives at Contact. Our diversity objectives

are set by the Board. Each year the Board reviews the

objectives with management and assesses our progress

towards meeting them. Details about these objectives, and

our evaluation of how well we are performing in respect of

them, is set out on page 21.

Contact Annual Report 201831
Health, safety and environment

Our commitment to health, safety and the environment is

outlined in our Health, Safety and Environment Policy. Under

this policy, health, safety and environmental risks are

managed through effective leadership and by engaging our

people in health, safety and environmental activities. We

work with our people to develop robust processes and

procedures that lay the foundation for safe and sustainable

work. By focussing on learning and improving and

empowering workers at the front line to actively manage

safety outcomes, we continually strengthen our capacity to

fail safely and reduce our environmental impact.

REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE

Continuous disclosure

We are committed to ensuring that all of our investors have

timely access to full and accurate material information about

Contact. Our Market Disclosure Policy sets out procedures

that are in place to make sure all material information is

identified, reported for review and, where required, disclosed

in a timely manner. It also describes the procedures that

have been adopted to prevent the selective disclosure of

material, non-public information.

Under the policy, Leadership Team members and other

executives are required to escalate any potential ‘material

information’ matters to the CEO, CFO and General Counsel

(the Disclosure Group). The Disclosure Group is ultimately

responsible for approving the form and content of material

information that is disclosed. The Company Secretary then

coordinates disclosure to the market. We also monitor

information in the market about Contact and will release

information to the extent necessary to prevent development

of a false market for Contact shares.

Financial reporting

The Audit Committee oversees the preparation of our

financial statements, including materiality guidance and

setting policy to ensure the information presented is useful

for investors and other stakeholders. We make our financial

statements easy to read by using clear, plain language, and

structure them so that key information is presented at the

beginning. In addition to the full-year audit, our auditors

complete a review of the half-year financial statements and

we undertake an internal certification process to ensure the

information presented is accurate, balanced and objective.

Non-financial reporting

As part of our commitment to providing our investors and

other stakeholders with access to all relevant information

about Contact, we report on material environmental, social

and governance factors and practices in accordance with

the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines in our annual

report. We’ve chosen to use GRI because it is an

internationally recognised framework under which we can

present information on the particular matters that are

significant for Contact and our stakeholders. While we do not

have a policy on the assurance of non-financial or

sustainability data, our sustainability reporting data is

independently reviewed by Ernst & Young.

Governance

RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSURANCE

Risk management

Our Board has established a robust risk management

framework across the business, which is aligned to the

International Standard ISO 31000, Risk Management –

Principles and Guidelines. Our framework ensures that there

are appropriate systems in place to identify material risks

Contact faces. We make sure that we understand the

potential impact of identified risks and that, where

applicable, appropriate tolerance limits are set by the Board.

Our framework ensures that responsibilities are assigned to

individuals to manage identified risks and that any material

changes to Contact’s risk profile are monitored.

Assurance

Our Business Assurance Team fulfils our internal audit

function and provides objective assurance of the

effectiveness of our internal control framework. The team is

based in-house, but draws on external expertise where

required.

The team helps us to achieve our objectives by bringing a

disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the

effectiveness of risk management, internal controls and

governance processes. We use a risk-based assurance

approach driven from our risk management system. The

Business Assurance Team also assists external audits by

making findings from the internal assurance process

available for the external auditor to consider when providing

their opinion on the financial statements. The team has

unrestricted access to all other departments, records and

systems of Contact, and to the external auditor and other

third parties as it deems necessary.

Auditors

We recognise that the role of our external auditor is critical

for the integrity of our financial reporting. KPMG is our

external auditor and our audit partner is David Gates. David

has been our audit partner for three financial years.

Our External Audit Independence Policy sets out the

framework under which we ensure the independence of the

external auditors is maintained and that their ability to carry

out their statutory audit role is not impaired. Under this

policy, the external auditor may not undertake any work for

Contact that compromises, or is seen to compromise, the

independence and objectivity of the external audit process.

In addition, KPMG confirms their continuing independent

status to the Board every six months.

Before KPMG undertakes any non-audit work for Contact,

specific approval must be given by the Audit Committee or

the Audit Committee chair. Approval will only be given where

the performance of such work does not compromise

KPMG’s independence. There was no non-audit work

undertaken by KPMG during the year.

Representatives from KPMG attend Contact’s annual

shareholder meeting each year, where they are available to

answer any questions from shareholders in relation to

the audit.

Contact Annual Report 201832
INVESTOR RELATIONS

Investor relations programme

We have designed and implemented an investor relations

programme to facilitate effective two-way communication

with investors. The investor relations programme provides

the context in which shareholders and potential investors

can make an informed judgement about the fair value of

Contact’s shares consistently over time.

A primary aim of our investor relations programme is to allow

investors and other financial market participants to gain a

greater understanding of Contact’s business, governance,

financial performance and prospects. It also provides an

opportunity for investors and other financial market

participants to express their views on matters of concern or

interest to them, and for those views to then be distilled and

communicated to our Board.

Investor communication and information

Our website is regularly updated. It contains brief

biographies of directors, the CEO and Leadership Team;

financial and operational information (including copies of

annual reports and financial statements); details of previous

annual shareholder meetings; key governance documents;

and copies of NZX/ASX announcements. To ensure that our

investors and the market are kept up-to-date, we release a

regular operating report that sets out key information about

Contact’s performance. These reports are also available on

our website.

Annual shareholder meeting

Our last annual shareholder meeting was held in Auckland on

11 October 2017. We hold the annual meeting in a location and

at a time that enables a number of shareholders to attend.

There were 147 shareholders at our 2017 meeting (167

shareholders in 2016). A webcast of the meeting is made

available on our website for those shareholders who are

unable to attend. Our directors, CEO and members of our

Leadership Team attend the meeting each year and really

enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk with our shareholders.

Our notice of meeting is sent to all of our shareholders and

posted on our website. Voting at our annual shareholder

meeting in October 2017 was by poll (i.e. one vote per share)

and we will continue this practice at our shareholder meeting

in 2018.

For more detailed information about our corporate

governance practices see our Corporate Governance

Statement at:

contact.co.nz/aboutus/investor-centre/governance

Governance

Contact Annual Report 201833
Remuneration Report

Contact is committed to ensuring that the remuneration of Board Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Team and

all of our people at Contact is transparent, fair and reasonable.

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

The total directors’ fee pool is $1,500,000 per annum. It has not been increased since it was approved by shareholders in

2008. Actual fees paid to directors are determined by the Board on the recommendation of the Remuneration and

Nominations Committee.

The remuneration scale for directors at 30 June 2018 is set out below. Between FY17 and FY18, the fees increased by between

1.5% and 2.5%, with no increase to the Board Chairman’s fees. The overall increase was 1.7%. The remuneration scale for

directors for the year ending 30 June 2019 is also set out below. The Board has approved a 1.5% increase to base director

fees, with an 8% reduction to the Board Chairman’s fee and approximately 30% reduction to the Audit Committee fees.

FY18FY19

Chairman per annumMember per annumChairman per annumMember per annum

Board of Directors

1

$300,000$133,000$275,000

2

$135,000

Audit Committee$61,500$33,000$45,000

2

$22,500

2

Health, Safety and Environment Committee$25,000$12,750$25,000$12,750

Remuneration and Nominations Committee$25,000$12,750$25,000$12,750

1. No additional fees are paid to the Board Chairman for committee roles.

2.Takes effect 1 September 2018.

Directors’ fees exclude GST, where appropriate. In addition, Board members are reimbursed for costs directly associated with

carrying out their duties, such as travel costs.

Details of the total remuneration received by each Contact director for FY18 are as follows:

DirectorsBoard fees

Audit

Committee

Health, Safety and

Environment Committee

Remuneration and

Nominations Committee

To t a l

Remuneration

Sir Ralph Norris (Chairman)

1

$300,000$0$300,000

Victoria Crone $133,000$12,750$12,750$158,500

Whaimutu Dewes$133,000$33,000$25,000$191,000

Rob McDonald$133,000$33,000$166,000

Sue Sheldon$133,000$61,500$12,750$ 2 07, 2 5 0

Elena Trout$133,000$12,750$145,750

To t a l$965,000$127,500$50,500$25,500$1,168,500

1. Inclusive of Committee fees.

Contact Annual Report 201834
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REMUNERATION

The CEO’s remuneration is approved by the Board on the recommendation of the Remuneration and Nominations

Committee. The remuneration reflects the breadth and complexity of the role; references market remuneration data

benchmarks; is linked to the achievement of performance goals; and aligns with the creation of sustainable shareholder value

in the long term. The total remuneration paid includes a fixed remuneration component comprising cash salary and other

employment benefits, and pay for performance remuneration comprising short-term incentives (cash and equity awarded

through deferred share rights) and long-term incentives (equity awarded through share options and performance share rights).

The CEO has a four month notice period.

CEO remuneration for performance periods ended 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2018

Fixed remunerationPay for performance remunerationTotal remuneration

Salary paid $Benefits

1

$Subtotal $ Cash STI $Equity STI $Equity LTI $Subtotal $ $

FY18

958,30644,2021,002,508529,10021 7 7, 0 0 8 4481,00061,187,1082,189,616

FY17 939,834 42,026 981,860 471,200

3

1 5 7, 3 8 1

5

471,200

7

1,099,781 2,081,641

1. Benefits include 3% KiwiSaver contribution and health insurance.

2. STI for FY18 period, paid in FY19.

3. STI for FY17 period, paid in FY18.

4. Equity – based on fair value allocation, performance hurdles tested 2020, if met will be paid in shares.

5. Equity – based on fair value allocation, performance hurdles tested 2019, if met will be paid in shares.

6. Equity – based on fair value allocation, performance hurdles tested 2021 and 2022, if met will be paid in shares.

7. Equity – based on fair value allocation, performance hurdles tested 2020 and 2021, if met will be paid in shares.

Pay for performance remuneration breakdown for the year ended 30 June 2018

SchemeDescription Performance measure Percentage awarded %

Cash STI

Cash STI is a discretionary

scheme based on achievement

of KPIs.

Maximum potential set at 100%

of base salary.

60% based on corporate shared KPIs:

• 60% free cash flow

• 30% earnings per share

• 10% total recordable incident frequency rate

40% based on individual KPIs being engagement, costs, corporate

reputation and executive capability.

55%

(payable in September 2018)

Equity STI

(awarded

as deferred

share rights)

Equity STI allows the CEO to

acquire shares at a $0 exercise

price subject to the time-bound

exercise hurdle being achieved.

Maximum potential set at 33.4%

of base salary.

The CEO’s performance rating influences the Equity STI awarded

by the Board.

The exercise hurdle to receive these is to remain employed by

Contact 2 years from the grant date.

18.4%

(To be granted 1 October 2018

and tested October 2020)

Equity LTI

(awarded as

options and

performance

share rights)

Equity LTI allows the CEO to

acquire shares at the specified

exercise price subject to the

exercise hurdle being achieved.

Maximum potential set at 66.6%

of base salary.

The CEO’s performance rating influences the Equity LTI awarded by

the Board. The exercise hurdle to receive these is Contact’s relative

total shareholder return (TSR) ranking within a peer group of other

New Zealand NZX50 listed utilities companies. Tested twice over a

4-year period at year 3 and year 4. 50% vesting at 50th percentile

and 100% at 75th percentile; pro-rata vesting in between.

50%

(To be granted 1 October 2018

and tested October 2021 and

2022)

CEO remuneration

The scenario chart below demonstrates the elements of the CEO remuneration design for the year ending 30 June 2018.

To t a l

Remuneration

Paid

1

$

Percentage Cash

STI awarded against

maximum %

Percentage vested

Equity STI against

maximum %

Span of Equity

STI performance

period

Percentage vested

Equity LTI against

maximum %

Span of Equity

LTI performance

period

FY18

2,189,616 55%100%2015-20170%n/a

FY17

2,081,641 50%0%n/a0%n/a

FY16

1,875,948 45% 100%

2

2014-2016100%2010-2013

2011-2014

2012-2015

2013-2016

2014-2017

FY15

1,210,145

3

35% 0%n/a0%n/a

FY14

1,463,316

3

69%0%n/a0%n/a

1. Total remuneration paid includes salary, benefits, cash STI, and Equity STI and LTI fair values which have been allocated but awards are subject to achievement of

performance hurdles.

2. 100% of Equity STI and LTI vested in August 2015 as a result of Origin selling its shareholding in Contact triggering vesting of equity due to the change of control.

3 . Dennis Barnes was seconded to the role of CEO by his employer Origin Energy Limited from April 2011 until August 2015. During the term of the secondment remuneration paid by

Contact to Dennis Barnes was processed by Contact reimbursing Origin Energy for his costs. The figures provided confirm his base salary level and cash STI for the periods.

Base of salary & benefitsLong term incentive - equityShort term incentive - equityShort term incentive - cash

Maximum potential remuneration

On-plan remuneration

Fixed remuneration

$0$3,000k$2,500k$2,000k$1,500k$1,000k$500k

Remuneration Report

Contact Annual Report 201835
EMPLOYEE REMUNERATION

We are committed to paying appropriate market levels for roles, ensuring employees are being rewarded appropriately given

their performance and experience.

There are three components to employee remuneration – fixed remuneration, pay for performance remuneration and other

benefits. These are designed to attract, reward and retain high-performing employees.

Fixed remuneration

Fixed remuneration is determined based on the role responsibilities, individual performance and experience, and available

market remuneration data. Contact targets fixed remuneration at the median of the market range.

Pay for performance remuneration

Pay for performance remuneration recognises and rewards high-performing employees and comprises short-term incentives

(cash and deferred share rights), and long-term incentives (options and performance share rights).

Short-Term Incentives (STIs)

STIs are designed to differentiate and reward high performance with cash incentives for eligible employees, and deferred

share rights through Contact’s equity scheme for some higher level roles. The STIs that have a maximum potential level set

reflecting the employee position grade are based on employee performance measured against key performance indicators

(KPIs) which generally comprise company, business unit and individual objectives. The Board reserves the right to adjust STI

awards if company targets are not met.

Long-Term Incentives (LTIs)

Contact provides awards of options and performance share rights through Contact’s equity scheme to senior and key talent

employees. This aims to encourage and reward longer-term decision-making and align participants’ interests with those of

Contact’s shareholders. These are subject to performance hurdles.

Equity scheme

At 30 June 2018 there were 86 participants in Contact’s equity scheme. For further details on the equity scheme and the

number of options, performance share rights and deferred share rights granted, exercised, lapsed and on issue at the end of

the reporting period, see note E9 to the financial statements.

Contact does not implement any clawback practices on employee remuneration other than in situations permitted by

New Zealand legislation (e.g. for correction of overpayments).

Four year summary TSR performance graph

Remuneration Report

30-Jun-1530-Jun-1630-Jun-1730-Jun-18

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

35%

30%

Company

NZX 50

Peer group

Contact Annual Report 201836
Remuneration bandNumber of employees

$100,001-$110,000

49

$110,001-$120,000

51

$120,001-$130,000

35

$130,001-$140,000

39

$140,001-$150,000

64

$150,001-$160,000

33

$160,001-$170,000

24

$170,001-$180,000

15

$180,001-$190,000

13

$190,001-$200,000

10

$200,001-$210,000

9

$210,001-$220,000

5

$220,001-$230,000

6

$230,001-$240,000

4

$240,001-$250,000

3

$250,001-$260,000

1

$260,001-$270,000

4

$270,001-$280,000

4

$280,001-$290,000

4

$290,001-$300,000

1

$300,001-$310,000

3

$320,001-$330,000

3

$330,001-$340,000

1

$340,001-$350,000

3

$350,001-$360,000

2

$360,001-$370,000

2

$370,001-$380,000

1

$390,001-$400,000

1

$410,001-$420,000

1

$420,001-$430,000

1

$440,001-$450,000

1

$480,001-$490,000

1

$510,001-$520,000

1

$530,001-$540,000

1

$650,001-$660,000

1

$730,001-$740,000

1

$860,001-$870,000

1

To t a l

399

1. Includes 31 former employees.

Other benefits

Contact also offers a range of benefits. These have varying

eligibility criteria and include the following: discounts for

home energy, including electricity, natural gas and LPG;

employer subsidised health insurance; an employee share

ownership plan ‘Contact Share’ (details of Contact Share can

be found on page 68; and additional benefits and offers from

retailers and services providers.

The table at right shows the number of employees and

former employees of Contact who received remuneration

and other benefits during FY18 of at least $100,000 for the

year ended 30 June 2018.

The value of remuneration benefits analysed includes:

»fixed remuneration including allowance/overtime

payments

»employer superannuation contributions

»short-term cash incentives relating to FY17

performance but paid in FY18

»the value of equity-based incentives received during

FY18

»the value of Contact Share received during FY18

»redundancy and other payments made on

termination of employment.

The figures do not include amounts paid post 30 June 2018

that relate to the year ended 30 June 2018. The

remuneration (and any other benefits) of the CEO, Dennis

Barnes, is disclosed in the CEO remuneration section on

page 34.

Remuneration Report

Contact Annual Report 201837
Statutory Disclosures

DISCLOSURES OF INTERESTS BY DIRECTORS

The following are particulars of general disclosures of interest

by directors holding office as at 30 June 2018, pursuant to

section 140(2) of the Companies Act 1993.

Each such director will be regarded as interested in all

transactions between Contact and the disclosed entity.

Sir Ralph Norris

Auckland Grammar School Foundation Trust

Fletcher Building Limited

1

RANQX Holdings Limited

The Parenting Place Board

University of Auckland

Tr u s t e e

Chairman

Director

Member

Council Member

Victoria Crone

Callaghan Innovation

Figure.NZ

Chief Executive

Officer

Chair

Whaimutu Dewes

Aotearoa Fisheries Limited

Kura Limited

Ngati Porou Berries Limited

Ngati Porou Fisheries Limited

Ngati Porou Forests Limited

Ngati Porou Holding Company Limited

Ngati Porou Seafoods Limited

Ngati Porou Whanui Forests Limited

Pupuri Taonga Limited

Real Fresh Limited

Sealord Group Limited

Whainiho Developments Limited

Chairman

Chairman

Director

Chairman

Chairman

Director

Director

Chairman

Director

Director

Chairman

Managing

Director/

shareholder

Rob McDonald

Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand

Fletcher Building Limited

2

Sovereign Assurance Company Limited

McDonald Family Trust

Director

Director

Director

Tr u s t e e

1. Until 1 September 2018

2. From 1 September 2018

There were no specific disclosures made during the year of

any interests in transactions entered by Contact or any of

its subsidiaries.

Sue Sheldon

Auckland Council Audit and Risk Committee

Audit and Risk Management Committee of the

Christchurch City Council

3

FibreTech New Zealand Limited

Freightways Limited

4

Real Journeys Limited

Regenerate Christchurch

Sue Sheldon Advisory Limited

Independent Chair

Independent Chair

Chairman

Chairman

Director

Chairman

Director

Elena Trout

Joint NZ Defence Force and Ministry of

Defence Capability Management Board

Electricity Efficiency and Conservation Authority

(EECA)

Harrison Grierson Holdings Limited

Low Emissions Vehicle Fund (a fund from

EECA budget)

Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited

Motiti Investments Limited

Ngapuhi Asset Holding Company Limited

Ngapuhi Books and Stationery Limited

Ngapuhi Food & Beverage Limited

Ngapuhi Service Station Limited

Unitec

5

External Advisory

Member

Director

Director

Chair

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Council Member

3. Until 2 July 2018

4. Until 25 October 2018

5. Until 23 July 2018

Contact Annual Report 201838
Securities dealings of directors

During the year, the directors disclosed in respect of section

148(2) of the Companies Act 1993 that they acquired or

disposed of a relevant interest in securities as follows:

Director

Date of

acquisition

Nature of

transaction

Consideration

per share

Number

of shares

acquired

Elena

Tr o u t

20/09/17On-market

purchase of

shares

$5.468,000

15/03/18On-market

purchase of

shares

$5.258,000

SUBSIDIARY COMPANY DIRECTORS

The following people held office as directors of Rockgas

Limited during the year ended 30 June 2018. No director of

Rockgas Limited received additional remuneration or

benefits in respect of their directorships.

CompanyDirectors

Rockgas Limited

Dennis Barnes

Graham Cockroft

Jacqui Nelson

SHAREHOLDER STATISTICS

Twenty largest shareholders at 30 June 2018

Number of

ordinary

shares

% of

ordinary

shares

HSBC Nominees (New Zealand)

Limited – NZCSD

1

84,886,72911.85

JP Morgan Chase Bank – NZCSD

1

67,275,9089.39

Citibank Nominees (NZ) Limited –

NZCSD

1

50,595,1957. 0 6

HSBC Nominees (New Zealand)

Limited – NZCSD

1

46,883,9306.55

Accident Compensation Corporation

– NZCSD131,995,4074.47

National Nominees New Zealand

Limited – NZCSD

1

27,668,6373.86

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia)

Limited26,044,8683.64

J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited22,779,5733.18

FNZ Custodians Limited22,099,4393.09

Cogent Nominees Limited – NZCSD

1

19,606,5582 .74

Tea Custodians Limited– NZCSD

1

15,735,1752.20

New Zealand Superannuation Fund

Nominees Limited – NZCSD

1

15,652,6642.19

BNP Paribas Nominees NZ Limited –

NZCSD

1

10,521,4641.47

National Nominees Limited10,257,0271.43

Premier Nominees Limited – NZCSD

1

9,644,1091.35

Custodial Services Limited9,389,8051.31

JB Were (NZ) Nominees Limited8,958,1001.25

Private Nominees Limited – NZCSD

1

7,620,6221.06

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited6,462,2960.90

Custodial Services Limited6 , 3 7 7, 6 6 50.89

Total for top 20 500,455,17169.88

1. New Zealand Central Securities Depository Limited (NZCSD) is a depository

system which allows electronic trading of securities to members. As at 30 June

2018, total holding in NZCSD were 406,849,885 or 56.8% of shares on issue.

Statutory Disclosures

INFORMATION USED BY DIRECTORS

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.

INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE

In accordance with section 162 of the Companies Act 1993

and the constitution of the company, Contact has continued

to indemnify and insure its directors and officers, including

directors of subsidiaries, against potential liability or costs

incurred in any proceeding, except to the extent prohibited

by law.

DIRECTORS’ SECURITY PARTICIPATION

Directors are required to hold a minimum of 20,000 shares

within three years of appointment.

Securities of the company in which each director

has a relevant interest at 30 June 2018

DirectorOrdinary sharesBonds

Sir Ralph Norris 20,000-

Whaimutu Dewes20,011-

Rob McDonald30,00035,000

Sue Sheldon21,803-

Elena Trout16,000-

Contact Annual Report 201839
Distribution of ordinary shares and shareholders

at 30 June 2018

Size of holding

Number of

shareholders

% of

shareholders

Number of

ordinary

shares

% of

ordinary

shares

1 – 1,000 29,39445.7319,193,8442.68

1,001 – 5,00029,61846.0852,916,7657. 3 9

5,001 – 10,0003,1934.9722,482,4053.14

10,001 – 50,0001,8502.8834,916,9584.87

50,001 – 100,0001270.208,948,0101.25

100,001 and over930.14577,828,58880.67

To t a l64,275100.00716,286,570100.00

Substantial product holders

According to notices given under the Financial Markets

Conduct Act 2013, the following persons were substantial

product holders of the company as at 30 June 2018:

Substantial

product holder

Number of ordinary shares in

which relevant interest is heldDate of notice

AustralianSuper

Pty Ltd

3 7, 3 2 7, 2 7 71 October 2015

The total number of voting securities of Contact at 30 June

2018 was 716,286,570 fully paid ordinary shares.

BONDHOLDER STATISTICS

Retail fixed rate bonds (CEN020) at 30 June 2018

Size of holding

Number of

bondholders

% of

bondholders

Number of

bonds

% of

bonds

1,001 – 5,0001958.26973,3340.44

5,001 – 10,00050621.424,846,5002.18

10,001 – 50,0001,34356.8637,656,50016.96

50,001 – 100,0001968.3016,659,0007. 5 0

100,001 and over1225.17161,864,66672.91

To t a l2,362100.00222,000,000100.00

Retail fixed rate bonds (CEN030) at 30 June 2018

Retail fixed rate bonds (CEN040) at 30 June 2018

Size of holding

Number of

bondholders

% of

bondholders

Number of

bonds

% of

bonds

1,001 – 5,000617. 4 6305,0000.20

5,001 – 10,00014117. 241,335,0000.89

10,001 – 50,00043553.1812,337,0008.22

50,001 – 100,0008710.647,111,0004 .74

100,001 and over9411.49128,912,00085.94

To t a l818100.00150,000,000100.00

Size of holding

Number of

bondholders

% of

bondholders

Number of

bonds

% of

bonds

1,001 – 5,0003710.45183,0000.18

5,001 – 10,0007822.03751,0000.75

10,001 – 50,00018451.984,926,0004.93

50,001 – 100,000226.211,683,0001.68

100,001 and over339.3292,457,00092.46

To t a l354100.00100,000,000100.00

NZX WAIVERS

There were no waivers granted by NZX or relied on by Contact

in the 12 months preceding 30 June 2018.

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTINGS

Contact’s ordinary shares are listed and quoted on the

New Zealand Stock Market (NZSX) and the Australian

Securities Exchange (ASX) under the company code ‘CEN’.

Contact has three issues of retail bonds listed and quoted on

the New Zealand Debt Market (NZDX) under the company

codes ‘CEN020’ (2014 series), ‘CEN030’ (2015 series) and

‘CEN040’ (2017 series). Contact’s listing on the ASX is as a

Foreign Exempt Listing. For the purposes of ASX listing rule

1.15.3, Contact confirms that it continues to comply with the

NZX listing rules.

EXERCISE OF NZX DISCIPLINARY POWERS

NZX did not exercise any of its powers under Listing Rule 5.4.2

in relation to Contact during FY18.

AUDITOR FEES

KPMG has continued to act as auditors of the company.

The amount payable by Contact and its subsidiaries to KPMG

as audit fees in respect of FY18 was $520,000 and $2,500 for

scrutineering at the annual meeting. There was no non-audit

work undertaken by KPMG during the year.

DONATIONS

In accordance with section 211(1)(h) of the Companies Act

1993, Contact records that it donated $3,227 in FY18.

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.

We also donated $5,000 of electricity to a shelter in Rotorua

and raised $45,000 for Wellington Free Ambulance through

the donation of a gift.

No political contributions were made during the year.

CREDIT RATING

Contact Energy Limited has a Standard & Poor’s long-term

credit rating of BBB/stable and short term rating of A-2.

The $222 million unsubordinated, unsecured fixed rate bonds

issued in March 2014 are rated BBB by Standard & Poor’s.

The $150 million unsubordinated, unsecured fixed rate bonds

issued in September 2015 are rated BBB by Standard & Poor’s.

The $100 million unsubordinated, unsecured fixed rate bonds

issued in February 2017 are rated BBB by Standard & Poor’s.

Statutory Disclosures

Contact Annual Report 201840
Sustainability Report

The sustainability aspects reported in this annual report cover the operations of Contact Energy Limited and its subsidiary

Rockgas for the period 1 July 2017 – 30 June 2018.

Contact does not have a policy on the assurance of non-financial or sustainability data.

1. MEMBERSHIPS OF ASSOCIATIONS OR ADVOCACY ORGANISATIONS

Holds a position on the governance bodyParticipates in projects or committees

Electricity Retailers’ Association of New Zealand (ERANZ)

Retailers’ Working Group Forum

Gas Industry CompanyBusiness New Zealand Energy Council

Electricity Authority Market Development Advisory GroupThe Sustainable Business Council

Liquigas LimitedLand and Water Forum

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association

Retailer Forum

ERANZ Vulnerable & Medically Dependent Customer (VCMDC) Working Group

Organisation/GroupDate of adoptionCommitment

Climate Leaders CoalitionJuly 2018

• To measure our greenhouse gas emissions and publicly report on them.

• To set a public emissions reduction target consistent with keeping within 2 degree

of warming.

• To work with our suppliers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

• We support the Paris Agreement and NZ’s commitment to it.

• We support the introduction of a climate commission and carbon budgets

enshrined in law.

Science Based Targets Initiative -

Committed

March 2018• To set a science based emissions reduction target within a year of signing up.

Sustainable Business Council

Platform for Action on Climate and

Emissions

November 2017• Committed to setting emission reduction targets that, at a minimum, align with New

Zealand’s national target under the Paris Agreement (30% by 2030 vs 2005 levels).

• Publicly reporting on progress towards targets.

• Collaborating with others and sharing learnings on emissions reduction activities.

• Encourage other organisations to be part of the movement.

2. EXTERNAL COMMITMENTS

Contact Annual Report 201841
3. EMISSIONS DATA AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

Contact uses the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to guide its emissions reporting. Emissions are reported on an operational control

basis with a base year of FY12 which represents the year of Contact’s peak emissions. This year Contact is expanding its

emissions reporting to include Scope 2 and 3 emissions. Given this change, FY18 will form the base year for all greenhouse

gas emissions reporting going forward. As per the Contact Energy policy for the recalculation of base year emissions data,

any structural, methodological or other changes identified that change the emissions reported by more than 5% will trigger a

recalculation of the base year and the current reporting year.

Our emissions data includes all gases as per the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.

Emission factors are sourced from the Ministry for the Environment except in the following cases: Scope 1 – gas field specific

emissions factors are provided by the supplier and geothermal field specific factors approved under the Climate Change

Unique Emissions Factor regulations 2009. SF6 is sourced from the IPCC fifth assessment report. Scope 3 – category 3

emissions factors are sourced from the Carnegie Mellon University Economic Input-Output lifecycle assessment.

For more detail on FY18 emissions refer to the Greenhouse Gas Inventory document on contact.co.nz.

Scope 1 emissions

This table reports Contact’s scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions (tCO2e) directly emitted through our operations and includes

emissions from our power stations, vehicles and the use of SF6.

Emissions

(tCO2)

Thermal Generation Emission

Intensity (tCO2 per MWh)

Total Generation Emission Intensity

(tCO2 per MWh)


FY18

(Audited)

FY17

(Unaudited)

FY12

(Unaudited)

FY18

(Audited)

FY17

(Unaudited)

FY12

(Unaudited)

FY18

(Audited)

FY17

(Unaudited)

FY12

(Unaudited)

Fuel used

for generation

1,184,2891,14 1,5342,425,9780.5340.5090.4600.1370.1340.244

Fuel used

in vehicles

1

1,0721,039

3

Fugitive

emissions - SF6

2

2.352

To t a l1,185,3631,142 ,575

1. Vehicle emissions were not recorded in FY12.

2. SF6 is used to insulate high voltage switchgear. The gas is vacuum sealed inside the switchgear and the pressure levels inside are monitored so that leaks can be

detected and rectified.

3. FY17 emissions have been restated due to incorrect vehicle emissions calculation.

Scope 2 and 3 emissions

ScopeCategoryFY18 tCO2e

Indirect Emissions (Scope 2) (Audited)Electricity Consumption

759

Indirect Emissions (Scope 3) (Unaudited)Capital Goods13,899

Fuel & Energy 7 7, 0 4 9

Waste134

Business Travel1,182

Use of Sold Products219,870

Franchises4,536

Subtotal316,670

Total (Scope 1, 2 and 3)1,502 ,792

Sustainability Report

Contact Annual Report 201842
4. CLIMATE RELATED RISKS

TimeframeReduced margin or revenue due to:Improved margin or revenue due to:

Short term

(now – 2020)

• Outdated or uncertain regulation drives inefficient adoption of new

technologies or otherwise adversely impacts transition to electricity as a

low carbon fuel

• Regulatory interventions lead to additional costs that cannot be recovered

from customers and Contact faces a higher cost than its competitors

• Increased electricity demand from customers

transitioning to electricity as a lower carbon fuel

• Opportunities to become an originator of carbon

units at a price that is lower than the market price

Medium term

(2020-2050)

(all short term

risks and

opportunities

continue)

Demand impacts:

• Customer adoption of new technologies and/or energy efficient products

reduces demand for grid connected electricity

• The costs imposed on NZ customers related to climate policies result in

production being transferred to other countries resulting in lower demand

for electricity (carbon leakage)

• The costs imposed on NZ customers related to climate policies are not

high enough, or policy direction not certain enough, to incentivise a switch

to low carbon electricity

Supply impacts:

• Overbuild of new low carbon generation lowers wholesale prices reducing

the value of existing assets

• Wholesale market conditions (whether through regulation or otherwise) fail

to reward dispatchable capacity resulting in electricity shortages and an

adverse regulatory response

• The costs imposed on Contact’s business related to climate policies (e.g.

carbon costs, emissions reduction targets) impact Contact more than its

competitors and are unable to be recovered from customers

• A new technology aimed at reducing emissions bypasses grid connected

electricity and/or a digital retailer

Demand impacts:

• Electrification of transport and industry grows

demand for electricity increasing prices

• Customer uptake of new technologies enables

Contact to grow its product and service offering

• NZ’s clear regulatory direction and low carbon

electricity attracts new large customers to NZ

• Direct use of low carbon geothermal energy

becomes a preferred heat source for industry

Supply impacts:

• Grids operate as platforms for competitive models

to roll out new technologies and customer offerings

and Contact grows its business

• Contact’s thermal plant is rewarded for its

important role in the low carbon electricity

transition

• Contact is able to develop new low carbon supply

as demand for low carbon electricity grows

Long term

(2050-onwards)

(all short and

medium term

risks continue)

Demand Impacts

• Costs imposed on customers due to weather extremes result in reduced

demand for Contact’s services

Supply Impacts

• Costs imposed on Contact’s business due to weather extremes (impacting

fuel supplies or operational plant and property) impact Contact more than

its competitors and cannot be recovered from customers

Demand Impacts:

• Ongoing electrification increases demand for

electricity and associated central or distributed

generation growth for Contact

Supply Impacts

• Contact is able to develop new low carbon

solutions to meet growing demand

5. GREEN BORROWING PROGRAMME

In line with our commitment to a low carbon economy, Contact has a Green Borrowing Programme to finance Contact’s past

and future renewable energy generation investments. This is a progressive approach to financing and provides investors and

lenders with an opportunity to access a broad range of accredited green debt instruments where proceeds have been applied

to eligible green assets.

The Green Borrowing Programme is described in Contact’s Green Bond Framework (“Framework”), which aligns with the

Green Bond Principles and is certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) under Climate Bond Standard V2.1 with assurance

from EY. The Framework, CBI certification and EY’s latest annual assurance statement is available on contact.co.nz. The

Framework articulates which of Contact’s debt instruments and assets qualify as green, and provides for a comprehensive

compliance and disclosure regime to ensure the Climate Bonds Standard V2.1 is always met, in turn ensuring that the existing

CBI certification remains in place. A key compliance indicator is the “Green Ratio” whereby the total green asset value must

be at least equal to total green debt (i.e. a ratio of 1.0 minimum). This indicator is reported on a half yearly basis.

The following table sets out the total green asset value and total green debt for the current reporting period, and confirms that

the Green Ratio is met at 1.08. Contact confirms to the best of its knowledge that its Green Borrowing Programme continues

to remain in compliance with the CBI certification in place, including the requirements of the Climate Bond Standard V2.1.

Geothermal Assets data

as at 30 June 2018

Book Value

$m

Generation

(GWh)

Emissions

(CO2)

Emissions Intensity

(gCO2e/KWh)

Compliance with CBI standards

(< 100 gCO2e/KWh)

Poihipi

1

16241115,796 38Ye s

Ta u h a r a

1

97 --N /AYe s

Te M i h i

1

546 1,372 60,608 44Ye s

Te H u k a

1

110 198 7,395 37Ye s

Wairakei

1

884 1,062 24,559 23Ye s

Tenon

1

4 110 1,308 12Ye s

Ohaaki

114 280 1 07, 8 1 2 385 No

Geothermal portfolio total/average1,917 3,433

2

2 17, 478 63 Ye s

Eligible Green Asset total/average 1,803.36 3,153 109,666 34.78Ye s

Total Eligible Green Debt Instruments

(refer Borrowing Note)

1,672

Green Ratio (total Eligible Green

Assets / total Green Debt Instruments)

1.08

1. Eligible green asset in relation to Contact’s Green Borrowing Programme

2. Includes direct heat sold to Tenon

Sustainability Report

Contact Annual Report 201843
6. WORKFORCE BY GENDER AND EMPLOYMENT TYPE AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

1

FY18Total HeadcountFemaleMaleF i x e d Te r mPermanentPart TimeFull time

Officers

2

624-6-6

Corporate

10736214531542

Customer5483172813056867531

Generation31759258830924293

To t a l97841456442936106872

FY17Total HeadcountFemaleMaleF i x e d Te r mPermanentPart TimeFull time

Officers

2

624-6-6

Corporate1377562613112119

Customer5633142497548855433

Generation32055265831214298

To t a l10264465808993781856

1. Gender is recorded by self-identification.

2. “Officers” means the CEO and members of Contact’s Leadership Team.

7. EMPLOYEE DIVERSITY AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

GenderAgeEthnicity

1

FY18

FemaleMale<3030 - 50>50UndisclosedMaoriPasifikaAsianEuropeanOther

2

AMELA

3

Undisclosed

Officers33%67%-67%33%--17%-67%50%--

Corporate63%37%14%67%16%4%4%2%7%39%35%-23%

Customer53%47%28%45%25%3%9%4%6%39%27%-29%

Generation19%81%9%39%50%2%3%-5%39%34%1%27%

To t a l42%58%20%4 4%32%3%7%3%6%39%30%1%28%

GenderAgeEthnicity

1

FY17Female Male<3030 - 50>50UndisclosedMaoriPasifikaAsianEuropeanOther

2

AMELA

3

Undisclosed

Officers33%67%-67%33%--17%-67%50%--

Corporate55%45%9%64%23%3%7%1%9%38%34%1%25%

Customer56%4 4%29%42%26%3%7%3%6%38%25%1%34%

Generation17%83%9%40%49%1%3%-6%40%35%1%24%

To t a l43%57%20%44%33%3%6%2%6%39%29%1%29%

1. Ethnicity data does not equal 100% as employees may affiliate to more than one ethnicity.

2. Other includes individuals who identify as New Zealanders, not as Europeans.

3. African, Middle Eastern or Latin American.

8. BOARD DIVERSITY AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

GenderEthnicityAge

MaleFemaleTo t a l

NZ European/

PakehaMaoriTo t a l<3030-50>50

Board of

Directors FY18

336426-15

50%50%100%67%33%100%-17%83%

Board of

Directors FY17

336426-15

50%50%100%67%33%100%-17%83%

Sustainability Report

Contact Annual Report 201844
10. SAFETY DATA AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

FY18FY17

Fatalities--

Occupational Disease Rate – Controlled

1

0.7-

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate – Controlled

2

3.03.2

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate – Monitored

2

9.312.7

1. Measures occupational disease as a rate of hours worked for employees and contractors working under our HSE management systems.

2. Measures the number of lost time injuries occurring in a workplace per 1 million man-hours worked for employees and contractors. ‘Lost days’ is based on work days

not calendar days. A lost time injury commences the next rostered day after the injured person is signed off work by a medical practitioner. First aid injuries are not

included in this rate. It only includes injuries that result in a lost time injury.

ControlledMonitored

Type of injuryMaleFemaleMaleFemale

Sprain or strain6-3-

Bruising or crushing--2-

Laceration1---

Puncture wound-1--

Poisoning or toxic effects1---

Fracture11--

Illness (medical condition)1---

Dislocation-1--

Burns (hot or cold)-1--

To t a l10450

11. INJURIES BY GENDER AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

Sustainability Report

FY18FY17

FemalesMalesAll EmployeesFemalesMalesAll Employes

Total scheduled days101,223144,586245,8091 0 9 ,74 9148,1302 5 7, 8 78

Total absence days3,8083,2717,0804,6522,8687, 52 0

Lost days as a percentage4%2%3%4%2%3%

1. Measures days lost as a percentage of total scheduled work days for employees.

9. EMPLOYEE ABSENTEE RATE

1

AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

12. TCFD INDEX

DisclosurePage number

Describe the Board’s oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities.

Board oversight is through

the Health, Safety and

Environment Committee

Describe management’s role in assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities.p.24

Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the organisation has identified over the short, medium and long

term.

p.42

Describe the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organisation’s businesses, strategy and financial

planning.

p.24

Describe the resilience of the organisation’s strategy, taking into consideration different climate-related scenarios,

including a 2 degree or lower scenario.

p.24

Describe the organisation’s processes for identifying and assessing climate-related risks.p.24

Describe how processes for identifying, assessing and managing climate-related risks are integrated into the

organisation’s overall risk management.

p.30

Disclose the metrics used by the organisation to assess climate-related risks and opportunities in line with its strategy

and risk management process.

p.25

Disclose Scope 1, 2 and if appropriate 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the related risks.p.41

Describe the targets used by the organisation to manage climate-related risks and opportunities and performance

against targets.

p.25

Contact Annual Report 201845
GRI Index

GENERAL STANDARD DISCLOSURES

DescriptionPage Number

STRATEGY AND ANALYSIS

102-14Statement from the most senior decision makerChair and CEO reviews, p.5-7

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

102-1Name of the organizationContact Energy Limited

102-2Brands, products, and/or servicesOur business p. 14-15

102-3Headquarter locationContact at a glance p. 12

102-4Locations of operationsContact operates only in New Zealand

102-5Ownership and legal formListed New Zealand limited liability company

102-6Markets servedContact at a glance p. 13

1 0 2-7Scale of the organizationTotal employees p. 43, contractor workforce data not available

Number of operations p. 12

Net revenue p. 50

GWh sold p.12

Total capitalisation broken down by debt and equity p.50-52

Quantity of products and services provided p.12

102-8Employee statisticsSustainability data p. 43

102-41Employees covered by collective bargaining

agreements

11% of total Contact employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements

as at 30 June 2018. Contactor data not collected.

102-9Organisation’s supply chainOur business p. 14-15

102-10Significant changes regarding size, structure,

or ownership

None

102-11Precautionary approachNot specifically addressed. Potential adverse environmental impacts are

addressed through adaptive management including official (often publicly notified)

resource consent assessments.

102-12External charters, principles, or other initiativesISO14001

102-13Memberships in associations and advocacy

organizations

Sustainability data p. 40

EU1Installed capacityContact at a glance p. 13

EU2Net energy output broken down by primary

energy source and by region

Contact at a glance p. 13

EU3Number of customer accountsContact at a glance p. 12

EU4Length of transmission and distribution lines

by region

Not applicable

EU5Allocation of CO2 emissions permitsZero allocations

IDENTIFIED MATERIAL ASPECTS AND BOUNDARIES

102-4 5Entities included in the organization’s

consolidated financial statements

Financial statements p. 50

102-4 6Process for defining the report content Focussing on what matters p. 16

102-47Material aspects identifiedFocussing on what matters p. 16

Contact Annual Report 201846
102-47Aspect boundaries within the organizationFor the majority of our material topics, the impacts occur within our operational

boundary. For some topics, Biodiversity, Water, Climate Change and Access

to Energy, impacts can be felt downstream of our operational boundary, or we

are contributing to a larger issue. Health and safety impacts are also created

by companies in our supply chain. In all cases, our focus is on areas that we can

control or influence.

102-47Aspect boundaries outside the organization

102-4 8Restatements of information FY17 emissions data p. 41

FY17 customer connections by account type p.12

102-4 9Significant changes of aspect boundaries

compared to previous years

No significant changes

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

102-4 0Stakeholder groupsFocussing on what matters most p. 16

102-42Stakeholder identification and selectionFocussing on what matters most p. 16

102-4 3Approaches to stakeholder engagementFocussing on what matters most p. 16

102-4 4Key topics and concerns raised by stakeholdersFocussing on what matters most p. 16

REPORT PROFILE

102-50Reporting periodFinancial year 2018

102-51Date of most recent previous reportThe previous report was dated 14 August 2017

102-52Reporting cycleAnnual

102-53Contact point for questionsCorporate directory p. 73

102-5 4Chosen ‘In accordance’ option, GRI indexThis report has been developed in accordance with the core GRI 2016 guidelines

102-56External assurance for the reportAnnual Report 2018 was not assured by an external assurer.

GOVERNANCE

102-18Governance structure. Committee responsible for

decision making on economic, environmental and

social topics.

Governance, p. 29

ETHICS AND INTEGRITY

102-16Organization’s values, principles, standards and

norms of behaviour, and codes of ethics

Our tikanga p. 11

SPECIFIC STANDARD DISCLOSURES

Material AspectDescriptionPage Omissions and explanations

DMAWaterp. 25

3 03-1Total water withdrawal by sourcep. 25

3 03-1Overall water usage for processing, cooling and

consumption in thermal power plants

p. 25

DMABiodiversityp. 26

304-3Habitats protected or restoredp. 26

304-3Describe what partnerships exist with third parties p. 26

DMAEmissionsp. 24-

25

3 05-1Direct (Scope 1) Greenhouse gas emissionsp. 41

3 05-2Gross location based Scope 2 emissions p. 41

305-3Gross Scope 3 emissionsp. 41

305-4GHG emissions intensityp. 41

305-5 Reduction of GHG emissionsp. 24

CATEGORY: SOCIAL

DMAOccupational health and safetyp. 22

4 03-2Workplace injuriesp.23Contractor data not available for absentee rate, occupational

disease rate and fatalities

Self-selectedTISRp. 23

Self-selectedProcess safety datap. 23

DMADiversity and equal opportunityp. 21, 43

4 05-1Gender, age and ethnicity statisticsp. 43

4 05-2Ratio of the basic salary and rem of women to men

for each employee category

p. 22

Self-selectedStaff engagementp. 21

DMALocal communitiesp. 27

413-1Community engagement and developmentp. 27We have community engagement plans for 50% of our sites by region

DMACustomer experiencep. 17

Self-selectedReputation and trustp. 18

Own measureCustomer satisfaction (Net Promoter Score)p. 17

DMAAccess (sector specific) – socio-economicp. 18

Own measureReduction of customer debt expressed as

a percentage

p. 19

GRI index

Contact Annual Report 201847
A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited



Independent Limited Assurance Statement to the

Management and Directors of Contact Energy Limited


What our assurance covered

W e reviewed Contact Energy’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG

emissions data and associated disclosures for the year ended 30

June 2018 in its FY18 Annual Report, only. Each of the Scope 1 and

Scope 2 GHG emissions metrics covered by our assurance

procedures is detailed in the table below.


Emissions Data

Report

page

Fuel used for generation (tCO2e-)

25, 41


Fuel used in vehicles (tCO2e-)

Fugitive emissions - SF6 (tCO2e-)

Thermal Generation Emission Intensity (tCO2e- per MW h)

Total Generation Emission Intensity (tCO2e- per MW h)

Scope 2 emissions (tCO2e-) 25, 41

Criteria applied by Contact Energy

The criteria for our assurance engagement was Greenhouse Gas

Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (‘The

GHG Protoc ol’).



Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions factors were sourced from the New

Zealand Ministry for the Environment’s Guidance for Voluntary

Corpora

te Greenhouse Gas Reporting – 2016.

Key responsibilities

EY’s responsibility and independence

Our responsibility was to express a conclusion on Contact

Energy’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions data and

associated disclosures in its FY18 Annual Report based on our

review.

W e were also responsible for maintaining our independence and

confirm that we have met the requirements of the External

Reporting Board of New Zealand, and have the required

competencies and experience to conduct this assurance

engagement.


Contact Energy’s responsibility

Contact Energy’s management (“management”) was responsible

for selecting the Criteria, and preparing and fairly presenting the

Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions data and associated

disclosures in its FY18 Annual Report

in accordance with that

Criteria. This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining

internal controls, adequate records and making estimates that are

reason

able in the circumstances.

Our approach to conducting the review

W e conducted this review in accordance with the International

Standard on Assurance Engagements ISAE (NZ) 3000: Assurance

Engagements Other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial

Inf

ormation and the terms of reference for this engagement as

agreed with Contact Energy on 17 May 2018.

Summary of assurance procedures performed

A limited assurance engagement consists of making enquiries and

applying analytical, appropriate testing, and other evidence-

gathering procedures.


Our procedures included, but were not limited to:

► Conducting interviews with personnel to understand the

business and reporting process.

► Checking that the flow of information from site metering or

monitoring through

to calculation spreadsheets is accurate and

any calculations are appropriate.

► Identifying and testing assumptions supporting the

calculations.

► Tests of calculation, aggregation and controls.

► Comparing year on year activity-based greenhouse gas and

energy data where possible.

► Checking organisational and operational boundaries to test

completeness of greenhouse gas emissions sources.


Checking that emissions factors and methodologies have been

correctly applied as per the criteria.

► Tests that statements to be included in the Annual Report are

consistent with the data we have tested.

W e believe that the evidence obtained is sufficient and appropriate

to provide a basis for our limited assurance conclusions.

Limited Assurance

Procedures performed in a limited a

ssurance engagement vary in

nature and timing from, and are less in extent than for, a reasonable

assurance engagement. Consequently the level of assurance

obtained in a limited assurance engagement is substantially lower

than the assurance that would have been obtained had a

reasonable assurance engagement been performed.


While we considered the effectiveness of management’s internal

controls when determining the nature and extent of our procedures,

our assurance engagement was not designed to provide assurance

on internal controls. Our procedures did not include testing controls

or performing procedures relating to checking aggregation or

calculation of data within IT systems.


Use of our Assurance Statement

W e disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any reliance on

this assurance report to any persons other than management and

the Direc tors of Contact Energy or for any purpose other than that

for which it was prepared. You may not disclose this assurance

report externally without our prior written consent.

Ernst & Young Limited




Graeme Bennett

Partner - Assurance

Auckland


10 August 2018

Our Conclusion:

Ernst & Young (‘EY’, ‘we’) were engaged by Contact Energy Limited (“Contact Energy”) to undertake limited assurance as defined by

the International Standards on Assurance engagements (New Zealand), over Contact Energy’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions

data and associated disclosures in its FY18 Annual Report, for the year ended 30 June 2018. Based on our limited assurance

procedures, nothing came to our attention that caused us to believe that Contact Energy’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions data

and associated disclosures in its FY18 Annual Report, detailed in the table below, has not been prepared and presented fairly, in all

material respects, in accordance with the criteria defined below.

Contact Annual Report 201848
ABOUT THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ...........................49

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME .....................50

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS ....................................................50

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION .................................51

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY ..................................52

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ..........................53


A. OUR PERFORMANCE ..................................................................53

A1. Adoption of new accounting policies .......................................53

A2. Segments...................................................................................................54

A3. Earnings ......................................................................................................54

A4. Free cash flow .........................................................................................56

A5. Held for sale disposal group and assets, and a

discontinued operation .............................................................................57

B. OUR FUNDING ..................................................................................58

B1. Capital structure.....................................................................................58

B2. Share capital ............................................................................................58

B3. Distributions .............................................................................................58

B4. Borrowings ................................................................................................59

B5. Net interest expense .........................................................................59

C. OUR ASSETS ....................................................................................60

C1. Property, plant & equipment and intangible assets .......60

C2. Goodwill and asset impairment testing .................................62

D. OUR FINANCIAL RISKS ...............................................................63

D1. Market risk ..................................................................................................63

D2. Liquidity risk .............................................................................................64

D3. Credit risk ..................................................................................................64

E. OTHER DISCLOSURES ...............................................................65

E1. Tax ...................................................................................................................65

E2. Operating expenses............................................................................65

E3. Inventory ....................................................................................................65

E4. Trade and other receivables .........................................................65

E5. Provisions ...................................................................................................66

E6. Profit to operating cash flows .......................................................66

E7. Financial instruments at fair value ............................................66

E8. Financial instruments at amortised cost ..............................68

E9. Share-based compensation ........................................................68

E10. Related parties ....................................................................................69

E11. New accounting standards ............................................................69

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT .......................................70

Financial Statements

Contact Annual Report 201849
About these Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

These financial statements are for Contact, a group made up of Contact Energy Limited and the entities over which it has

control or joint control.

Contact Energy Limited is registered in New Zealand under the Companies Act 1993. It is listed on the New Zealand Stock

Exchange (NZX) and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and has bonds listed on the NZX debt market. Contact is an

FMC reporting entity under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

Contact’s financial statements are prepared:

»in accordance with New Zealand generally accepted accounting practice (GAAP) and comply with New Zealand

equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IFRS as appropriate for profit-oriented entities

»in millions of New Zealand dollars (NZD) unless otherwise noted

»on an historical cost basis except for debt and derivatives held at fair value, and assets and liabilities held for sale

reported at fair value less costs to sell

»using the same accounting policies for all reporting periods presented. The impact of the early adoption of NZ IFRS 15

Revenue from Contracts with Customers and NZ IFRS 16 Leases is shown in note A1.

Estimates and judgements are made in applying Contact’s accounting policies. Areas that involve a higher level of estimation

or judgement are:

»useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (note C1)

»impairment testing of cash-generating units (CGUs) and future development capital work in progress (note C2)

»net realisable value of inventory gas and classification between current and non-current (note E3)

»unbilled retail electricity and gas revenue (note E4)

»provision for future restoration and rehabilitation obligations (note E5)

»fair value measurement of financial instruments (notes D1 and E7).

The financial statements present Contact’s wholly owned subsidiary Rockgas Limited as a held for sale disposal group at 30

June 2018. The results of the disposal group have been presented as a discontinued operation. Note A5 provides information

on the held for sale disposal group and discontinued operation.

Certain comparative amounts in the Statement of Comprehensive Income have been restated either due to the early

adoption of NZ IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and NZ IFRS 16 Leases (note A1), or as a result of the

discontinued operation during the current financial year (note A5).

The financial statements were authorised on behalf of Contact’s Board of Directors on 10 August 2018.

Sir Ralph Norris KNZM

Chairman

Sue Sheldon CNZM

Director

Contact Annual Report 201850
$mNote2018

Restated

2017

Continuing operations

Revenue and other incomeA32,1601,959

Operating expensesA3(1,711)(1,494)

Significant itemsA3311

Depreciation and amortisationA3(215)(203)

Net interestB5(84)(93)

Profit before tax 153180

Tax expenseE1(41)(51)

Profit from continuing operations 112129

Discontinued operation

Profit from discontinued operation after taxA32022

Profit 132151

Items that may be reclassified to profit/(loss):

Change in cash flow hedge reserve (net of tax) - continuing operations11(15)

Change in cash flow hedge reserve (net of tax) - discontinued operationA53-

Comprehensive income 146136

Profit per share (cents) - basic and dilutedB318.421.0

Profit per share (cents) from continuing operations 15.6 18.0

Profit per share (cents) from discontinued operation 2.8 3.0

Statement of Comprehensive Income

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Statement of Cash Flows

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

$mNote2018

Restated

2017

Receipts from customers 2,2812,072

Payments to suppliers and employees (1,791)(1,527)

Ta x p a i d (33)(37)

Operating cash flowsE6457508

Purchase of assets (82)(118)

Proceeds from sale of assets 69

Interest received 11

Investing cash flows (75)(108)

Dividends paidB3(201)(186)

Proceeds from issues of shares1-

Proceeds from borrowings 118115

Repayment of borrowings (217)(226)

Interest paid (79)(88)

Gas sale and repurchase arrangement (7)(14)

Financing cash flows (385)(399)

Net cash flow (3)1

Add: cash at the beginning of the year 65

Cash at the end of the yearB436

Contact Annual Report 201851
Statement of Financial Position

AT 30 JUNE 2018

$mNote2018

Restated

2017

Cash and cash equivalents

B436

Trade and other receivablesE4175197

InventoriesE33546

Intangible assetsC11011

Derivative financial instrumentsD1148

Assets held for saleA5299-

Total current assets 536268

Inventories

E32324

Property, plant and equipmentC14,2534,611

Intangible assetsC1262321

GoodwillC2179182

Derivative financial instrumentsD15138

Other non-current assets 711

Total non-current assets 4,7755,187

To t a l a s s e t s 5,3115,455

Trade and other payables

172202

Ta x p a y a b l e 74

BorrowingsB4513391

Derivative financial instrumentsD11750

ProvisionsE51114

Liabilities held for saleA542-

Total current liabilities

762661

BorrowingsB49721,158

Derivative financial instrumentsD14452

ProvisionsE54850

Deferred taxE175174 9

Other non-current liabilities 77

Total non-current liabilities 1,8222,016

Total liabilities 2,5842,677

Net assets

2 ,7272 ,778

Share capitalB21,5201,515

Retained earnings 1,1941,263

Cash flow hedge reserveE77(8)

Share-based compensation reserve 68

Shareholders' equity 2 ,7272 ,778

Contact Annual Report 201852
Statement of Changes in Equity

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

$mNote

Share

capital

Retained

earnings

Other

reserves

Shareholders'

equity

Balance at 1 July 2016

1,515 1,294 14 2 ,823

Adjustment on adoption of new IFRSA1 - 2 - 2

Restated opening balance at 1 July 2016 1,515 1,296 14 2 ,825

Profit - 151 - 151

Change in cash flow hedge reserve (net of tax) - - (15)(15)

Lapsed share scheme awards


- 2

(2) -

Share-based compensation expense

E9 - - 3 3

Dividends paidB3 - (186) - (186)

Restated balance at 30 June 2017 1,5151,263-2 ,778

Profit -132-132

Change in cash flow hedge reserve (net of tax) --1414

Exercised share scheme awards --(4)(4)

Share-based compensation expense

E9--33

Change in share capitalB25--5

Dividends paidB3-(201)-(201)

Balance at 30 June 2018 1,520 1,194 13 2 ,727

Contact Annual Report 201853
A1. ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Contact has elected to early adopt NZ IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (‘revenue standard’) and NZ IFRS 16

Leases (‘leases standard’) for the year ended 30 June 2018. Both standards have been adopted using the full retrospective

approach with an adjustment to retained earnings on 1 July 2016.

With the adoption of the revenue standard the incremental costs incurred to acquire new customers are capitalised as a

contract asset instead of being expensed as incurred. The contract asset is amortised to operating expenses over the

expected life of the customer relationship. Incentives given to customers are also capitalised as a contract asset and

amortised to revenue, which is consistent with the previous accounting treatment. The amortisation period has been revised

from the contract term to the expected life of the customer relationship. At 30 June 2018 contract assets totalled $13 million

(2017: $12 million) (note E4).

The adoption of the leases standard results in those leases previously classified as operating leases being recorded on

balance sheet. All other arrangements will be considered under the leases standard when the contract is amended or

renewed. On 1 July 2016 Contact recognised lease assets and lease obligations that represent the present value of future lease

payments for the minimum lease term and all lease renewal options that Contact is reasonably certain to exercise. Lease

payments are recorded as a repayment of the lease obligation and interest expense, instead of as an operating expense.

Lease assets are depreciated over the lease term.

The effect of these changes in accounting policies are shown below:

A. Our Performance

$m 2017

NZ IFRS 15

Revenue

NZ IFRS 16

Leases

Restated

2017

Statement of Comprehensive Income

Revenue and other income 2,080 (1) - 2,079

Operating expenses (1,586) 3 5 (1,578)

Depreciation and amortisation (204)- (4) (208)

Net interest expense (92)- (1) (93)

Tax expense (59)

(1)- (60)

Profit 150 1 - 151

Statement of Financial Position

Contract assets (Trade and other receivables) 5 7 - 12

Lease assets (Property, plant and equipment) 25 - 19 44

Lease obligations (Borrowings) 19 - 22 41

Deferred tax liability 74 8 1 - 74 9

Retained earnings 1,260 5 (2) 1,263

The adjustment on adoption of these new IFRS standards, on 1 July 2016, resulted in an increase in lease obligations of $26

million, lease assets of $23 million, contract asset of $6 million, deferred tax liability of $1 million and retained earnings

of $2 million.

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018

Contact Annual Report 201854
2018

$mNoteGenerationCustomerEliminations

To t a l

continuing

operations

Discontinued

operationTo t a l

Mass market electricity

-884(1)883-883

Commercial & Industrial electricity

8444-452-452

Wholesale electricity

718--718-718

Inter-segment electricity sales

587-(587)---

Gas

471-75-75

LPG

----121121

Steam

25--25-25

Total revenue 1,3421,399(588)2,1531212 , 2 74

Other income 34-729

Total revenue and other income 1,3451,403(588)2,1601232,283

Electricity purchases

(681)--(681)-(681)

Inter-segment electricity purchases

-(587)587---

Gas purchases

(108)(16)-(124)-(124)

LPG purchases

----(73)(73)

Electricity networks, transmission, levies & meters

(4 8)(587)-(635)-(635)

Gas networks, transmission, levies & meters

(9)(37)-(4 6)-(4 6)

Other operating expenses

(112)(97)1(208)(15)(223)

Carbon emissions

(15)(2)-(17)(3)(20)

Total operating expenses (973)(1,326)588(1,711)(91)(1,802)

EBITDAF 37277-44932481

Depreciation and amortisation

C1(215)(5)(220)

Net interest expense

(84)-(84)

Tax on underlying profit

(4 0)(7)(47)

Underlying profit 11020130

Significant items


Change in fair value of financial instruments

D13-3

Transition costs

---

Remediation for Holidays Act non-compliance

---

Tax on significant items

(1)-(1)

Profit

11220132



Underlying profit per share (cents)

B3 15.42 .718.1

A2. SEGMENTS

Contact reports activities under two operating segments; being the Generation segment and the Customer segment.

There have been no significant changes to Contact’s operating segments in the current year.

The Generation segment includes revenue from the sale of electricity to the wholesale electricity market and to the Customer

segment, less the cost to generate and/or purchase the electricity sold.

The Customer segment includes revenue from delivering energy to customers less the cost of energy, and costs to service

and distribute energy to the customer. The presentation of the Customer segment in note A3 excludes the discontinued

operation.

The Customer segment purchases electricity from the Generation segment at a price fixed in a manner similar to transactions

with third parties.

A3. EARNINGS

The table below provides a breakdown of Contact’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, and

significant items (EBITDAF) by segment, and a reconciliation from EBITDAF and underlying profit to profit reported under

N Z G A A P.

Contact Annual Report 201855
EBITDAF and underlying profit are non-GAAP profit measures that provide a consistent measure of Contact’s

ongoing performance.

EBITDAF is profit/(loss) before tax excluding interest, depreciation, amortisation and changes in the fair value of financial

instruments and other significant items.

Underlying profit excludes the effect of significant items from reported profit/(loss).

Significant items are excluded from EBITDAF and underlying profit when they meet criteria approved by the Board of

Directors in our non-GAAP financial information policy. They are determined in accordance with the principles of consistency,

relevance and clarity. Transactions considered for classification as significant items include change in fair value of financial

instruments; impairment or reversal of impairment of assets; significant business integration, restructure, acquisition and

disposal costs; and transactions or events outside of Contact’s ongoing operations that have a significant impact on

reported profit.

The significant items in this reporting period are:

»Change in fair value of financial instruments: Movements in the valuation of interest rate and electricity price

derivatives that are not accounted for as hedges, hedge accounting ineffectiveness and the effect of credit risk on the

valuation of hedged debt and derivatives. Refer note D1 and E7.

Restated 2017

$mNoteGenerationCustomerEliminations

To t a l

continuing

operations

Discontinued

operationTo t a l

Mass market electricity

-892(1)891-891

Commercial & Industrial electricity

8465-473-473

Wholesale electricity

492--492-492

Inter-segment electricity sales

596-(596)---

Gas

-66-66-66

LPG

----119119

Steam

25--25-25

Total revenue 1,1211,423(597)1,9471192,066

Other income 66-12113

Total revenue and other income 1,1271,429(597)1,9591202,079

Electricity purchases

(4 60)--(4 60)-(4 60)

Inter-segment electricity purchases

-(596)596---

Gas purchases

(101)(14)-(115)-(115)

LPG purchases

----(67)(67)

Electricity networks, transmission, levies & meters

(4 8)(590)-(638)-(638)

Gas networks, transmission, levies & meters

(8)(36)-(4 4)-(4 4)

Other operating expenses

(119)(110)1(228)(15)(243)

Carbon emissions

(8)(1)-(9)(2)(11)

Total operating expenses ( 74 4)(1,347)597(1,494)(84)(1,578)

EBITDAF 38382-46536501

Depreciation and amortisation

C1(203)(5)(208)

Net interest expense

(93)-(93)

Tax on underlying profit

(4 9)(9)(58)

Underlying profit 12022142

Significant items


Change in fair value of financial instruments

D123-23

Transition costs

(7)-(7)

Remediation for Holidays Act non-compliance

(5)-(5)

Tax on significant items

(2)-(2)

Profit

12922151



Underlying profit per share (cents)

B3 16.83.119.9

Contact Annual Report 201856
$mNote2018

Restated

2017

EBITDAF

A3481501

Ta x p a i d (33)(37)

Change in working capital net of non-cash, investing and financing activities (7)35

Non-cash items included in EBITDAF 1717

Significant items, net of non-cash amounts

(1)(8)

Operating cash flowsE6457508

Net interest paid

(78)(87)

Stay in business capital expenditure (78)(116)

Operating free cash flow

301305

Proceeds from sale of assets 69

Free cash flow

307314

Operating free cash flow per share (cents)B342.042.6

A4. FREE CASH FLOW

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP cash measure that shows the amount of cash Contact has available to distribute to

shareholders, reduce debt or reinvest in growing the business. A reconciliation from EBITDAF to NZ GAAP operating cash

flows and to free cash flow is provided below.

Stay in business capital expenditure is required to maintain our business operations and includes major plant inspections and

replacements of existing assets.

Contact Annual Report 201857
$m20182017

Net operating cash flows

35 30

Net investing cash flows (6) (7)

Net cash flows from

discontinued operation

29 23

Operating free cash flow and free cash flow from the

discontinued operation is $29 million (2017: $23 million).

$mNote2018

Trade and other receivables 19

Inventories 4

Derivative financial instruments 4

Property, plant and equipment 81

GoodwillC2 3

Other non-current assets 3

Assets held for sale 114

Trade and other payables 16

Ta x p a y a b l e 7

Borrowings (lease obligations)B4 9

Provisions 2

Deferred taxE1 8

Liabilities held for sale 42

Net assets held for sale 72

Rockgas is exposed to LPG price risk on its LPG commodity

purchases and may use derivatives to fix the price of LPG. At

30 June 2018, Rockgas had LPG price derivatives in an asset

position of $2 million, maturing in December 2018, for

exposure of 27,600 tonnes (2017: nil). Rockgas also uses

foreign exchange derivatives to mitigate the risk of payments

in US dollars. These derivatives are in an asset position of $2

million at 30 June 2018 (2017: nil).

There were capital expenditure commitments at 30 June

2018 in relation to the Rockgas disposal group of $1 million.

These are due within one year of the reporting period end.

Held for sale assets

In addition to the Rockgas Limited disposal group assets

($114 million), assets classified as held for sale include the

Ahuroa Gas Storage Facility ($185 million). The Ahuroa Gas

Facility assets comprise generation plant and equipment,

land and buildings, gas storage rights and cushion gas (being

the level of gas required to maintain pressure in the reservoir

to enable injection and extraction) and costs to sell.

In December 2017 Contact entered into an agreement to sell

the Ahuroa Gas Storage Facility to GSNZ SPV1 Limited for

$200 million. The sale remains subject to a number of

conditions being satisfied. The Ahuroa Gas Storage Facility

is expected to be sold within one year of the reporting

period end.

A5. HELD FOR SALE DISPOSAL GROUP AND

ASSETS, AND A DISCONTINUED OPERATION

Held for sale disposal group and discontinued

operation

At 30 June 2018 the sale of Rockgas Limited, a wholly owned

subsidiary of Contact, was highly probable resulting in the

assets and liabilities of Rockgas Limited being classified as

held for sale in the Statement of Financial Position for the

current reporting period. On 31 July 2018 Contact entered

into a conditional sale agreement with Gas Services NZ

Midco Limited for the Rockgas Limited business for $260

million plus adjustments on completion for working capital

movements and net debt balances.

As Rockgas Limited represents a major line of business for

Contact it is classified as a discontinued operation in the

current financial year. The comparative amounts in the

Statement of Comprehensive Income have been restated to

show the discontinued operation separately from continuing

operations.

Results of the discontinued operation

The profit from the discontinued operation is provided on the

face of the Statement of Comprehensive Income and a

breakdown in note A3.

The change in cash flow hedge reserve net of tax of $3

million (2017: nil) in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

is comprised of the movement in the fair value of LPG price

derivatives and foreign exchange contracts.

Net cash flows of the discontinued operation

The Statement of Cash Flows, free cash flow (note A4) and

the reconciliation of profit to operating cash flows (note E6)

include the cash flows for continuing operations and the

discontinued operation.

The cash flows for the discontinued operation are

presented below.

Financial position of the disposal group

Contact Annual Report 201858
B1. CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Contact’s capital includes equity and net debt. Our

objectives when managing capital are to ensure Contact can

pay its debts when they are due and to optimise the cost of

its capital.

To manage the capital structure, the Board of Directors may

adjust the amount and nature of distributions to

shareholders, issue new shares and increase or repay debt.

Contact manages its capital structure to support a BBB

credit rating and a gearing ratio suitable to the nature of

its business.

$mNote2018

Restated

2017

BorrowingsB41,4941,549

Shareholders' equity 2,7272,778

Total capital funding 4,2214,327

Gearing ratio 35.4%35.8%

B2. SHARE CAPITAL

Share capital is comprised of ordinary shares listed on the

NZX and ASX. Certain ordinary shares are held on trust on

behalf of employees under the Contact Share scheme (note

E9). All shareholders are entitled to receive distributions and

to make one vote per share.

B3. DISTRIBUTIONS

Earnings and operating free cash flow per share

The basic calculation uses the weighted average number of

shares on issue over the period.

The diluted weighted average number of shares takes into

account the number of share options, PSRs and DSRs that

are currently exercisable or may become exercisable

because vesting depends only on an employee staying with

Contact or it is likely vesting conditions will be met.

Dividends

On 10 August 2018, the Board resolved to pay a fully imputed

final dividend of 19 cents per share on 18 September 2018.

On 10 August 2018, Contact had nil imputation credits

available. Future tax payments will cover the full imputation of

the final dividend.

NoteNumber$m

Balance at 30 June 2017

715,525,7561,515

Balance at 1 July 2017 715,525,7561,515

Share capital issued 760,8145

Balance at 30 June 2018 716,286,5701,520

Comprised of:

Ordinary shares715,898,9251,521

Contact ShareE93 8 7, 6 4 5(1)

Cents per share2018

Restated

2017

Profit - basic18.421.0

Profit - diluted18.421.0

Underlying profit - basic18.119.9

Operating free cash flow - basic42.042.6

Weighted average

Number of shares - basic716,075,154715,525,756

Number of shares - diluted716,154,227715,586,571

Paid during the year ended

Cents per share

$m

2016 final

15.0

107

2017 interim

11.0

79

30 June 2017


186

2017 final

15.0

107

2018 interim

13.0

93

30 June 2018


201

B. Our Funding

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018

Contact Annual Report 201859
B4. BORROWINGS

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less financing

costs and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective

interest rate method. Some borrowings are designated in fair

value hedge relationships, which means that any changes in

market interest and foreign exchange rates result in a change

in the fair value adjustment on that debt (note E7).

Borrowings denoted with an asterisk (*) are Green Debt

Instruments under Contact’s Green Borrowing Programme,

which has been certified by the Climate Bond Initiative.

$mMaturityCoupon2018

Restated

2017

Bank overdraft < 3 months Floating23

* Commercial paper < 3 months Floating140180

* Bank facilitiesVariousFloating231113

Lease obligations VariousVarious3841

USPP notes - US$40mMar 20185.55%-71

USPP notes - US$25mApr 20187.1 3 %-43

Wholesale bondsMay 20184.80%-50

* Retail bonds - CEN020May 20195.80%222222

* Wholesale bondsMay 20205.28%5050

* USPP notes - US$56mDec 20203.46%7070

* Retail bonds - CEN030Nov 20214.40%150150

* Retail bonds - CEN040Nov 20224.63%100100

* USPP notes - US$22mDec 20234.19%2828

* USPP notes - US$51mDec 20234.09%6464

* USPP notes - US$42mDec 20233.63%6161

* USPP notes - US$58mDec 20254.33%7373

* USPP notes - US$43mDec 20253.85%6262

* Export credit agency facilityNov 2027Floating6875

* USPP notes - US$15mDec 20273.95%2222

* USPP notes - US$23mDec 20284.4 4%2929

* USPP notes - US$30mDec 20284.50%3838

Total borrowings at face value1,4481,545

Deferred financing costs(6)(7)

Total borrowings at amortised cost1,4421,538

Fair value adjustment on hedged borrowings5211

Carrying value of borrowings1,4941,549

Current513391

Non-current9721,158

Liabilities held for sale - Lease obligations 9-

A summary of the changes in Contact’s borrowings is

provided below:

$m2018

Restated

2017

Borrowings at the start of the year

1,5491,723

Net cash borrowed/(repaid)(99)(111)

Non-cash change in lease obligations3(2)

Non-cash change in deferred financing costs11

Non-cash change in fair value adjustment40(62)

Borrowings at the end of the year1,4941,549

Maturity $m20182017

Less than 1 year

160150

Between 1 and 2 years160265

Between 2 and 3 years17530

More than 3 years100155

595600

These bank facilities form part of Contact’s Green Borrowing

Programme, with exception of an $100 million facility due

within one year (fully drawn at 30 June 2018).

Lease obligations

Contact’s leases are mostly for property and connections to

the national electricity grid. These assets are included in the

carrying value of property, plant and equipment (note C1).

Security

Contact’s Deed of Negative Pledge and Guarantee and its

United States Private Placement (USPP) note agreements

restrict Contact from granting security interest over its

assets, subject to certain permitted exceptions. Because of

these restrictions Contact’s borrowings are all unsecured,

except for lease obligations secured over the leased assets.

The Deed of Negative Pledge and Guarantee and the USPP

note agreements contain various debt covenants, all of

which Contact complied with during the reporting period.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents exclude bank overdrafts which

are included within borrowings. Contact trades electricity

price derivatives on the ASX market using a broker that

holds collateral on deposit for margin calls. At 30 June 2018,

this collateral was $3 million (2017: $6 million) and is included

within cash.

B5. NET INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest expense on borrowings is made up of interest on

drawn debt and interest rate swaps, and the unwind of

deferred financing costs.

$mNote2018

Restated

2017

Interest expense on borrowings

(80)(90)

Unwind of discount on provisionsE5(5)(5)

Interest income 12

Net interest expense (84)(93)

Short-term funding

Contact uses bank facilities for general corporate purposes

including to manage its liquidity risk (note D2). While

drawings under our bank facilities are typically for periods of

three months or less, the amounts drawn down can be rolled

for the term of the facility. Drawn facilities are classified as

current when the facility will expire or the debt is expected to

be repaid within one year of the reporting period end.

Contact’s total bank facilities (including undrawn facilities of

$364 million at 30 June 2018) have a range of maturities:

Contact Annual Report 201860
C1. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Contact’s property, plant and equipment (PP&E) and intangible assets include:

»generation plant and equipment: hydro, geothermal and thermal power stations and geothermal wells and pipelines.

»other plant and equipment: LPG reticulation networks, bulk tanks, cylinders and meters used to deliver LPG to our

customers, motor vehicles and electricity meters

»computer software: our SAP system that is used for customer service and billing, finance functions and generation

asset management, which has a value of $239 million (2017: $260 million) and a remaining life of 11 years.

All assets are recognised at cost less accumulated depreciation or amortisation and impairments. Generation plant and

equipment acquired before 1 October 2004 is recognised at deemed historical cost, which is the fair value of those assets at

1 October 2004, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Property, plant and equipment

$m

Generation plant

and equipment

Other land and

buildings

Other

plant and

equipment

Capital work

in progressLeasesTo t a l

Cost

Balance at 1 July 20165,65530240218776,220

Additions28-631-65

Transfers from capital work in progress27-1(28)--

Disposals(2)-(7)-(2)(11)

Restated balance at 30 June 2017 5,708 30 240 221 75 6 , 2 74

Balance at 1 July 20175,70830240221756 , 2 74

Additions25-528361

Transfers from capital work in progress90-2(92)--

Transfer to assets held for sale(180)(5)(160)(6)(18)(369)

Disposals(50)(3)(1)--(54)

Balance at 30 June 20185,5932286151605,912

Depreciation and impairment losses

Balance at 1 July 2016(1, 294)(15)(159)(1)(27)(1,496)

Depreciation charge(158)(2)(10)-(5)(175)

Disposals1-7--8

Restated balance at 30 June 2017(1,451)(17)(162)(1)(32)(1,663)

Balance at 1 July 2017(1,451)(17)(162)(1)(32)(1,663)

Depreciation charge(167)(3)(7)-(5)(182)

Transfer to assets held for sale30291-9132

Disposals5031--54

Balance at 30 June 2018(1,538)(15)(77)(1)(28)(1,659)

Carrying value

Restated at 30 June 20174,2571378220434,611

At 30 June 20184,05579150324,253

C. Our Assets

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018

Contact Annual Report 201861
Intangible assets

$m

Computer software

and capital

work in progress

Gas storage

rights

Carbon emission

unitsTo t a l

Cost


Balance at 1 July 20164053516456

Additions37- 340

Disposals-- (8)(8)

Balance at 30 June 20174423511488

Balance at 1 July 20174423511488

Additions8- 1523

Transfer to assets held for sale(2)(35)- (37)

Disposals(1)- (16)(17)

Balance at 30 June 2018447- 10457

Amortisation

Balance at 1 July 2016(118)(5)- (123)

Amortisation charge(32)(1)- (33)

Disposals-- - -

Balance at 30 June 2017(150)(6)- (156)

Balance at 1 July 2017(150)(6)- (156)

Amortisation charge(37)(1)- (38)

Transfer to assets held for sale27- 9

Disposals- - - -

Balance at 30 June 2018(185)- - (185)

Carrying value

At 30 June 20172922911332

At 30 June 2018262- 10272

Current- - 1010

Non-current262- - 262

Commitments

At 30 June 2018, Contact was committed to $6 million of

capital expenditure (2017: $11 million) and $27 million of

carbon forward contracts (2017: $7 million), of which $29

million is due within one year of the reporting period end and

$4 million is due between one to two years of the reporting

period end.

Cost

Contact capitalises the costs to purchase and bring assets

into service. When Contact develops an asset, employee

time and other directly attributable costs are capitalised and

held as capital work in progress until the asset is

commissioned.

Contact capitalises costs to obtain resource consents and

to drill geothermal exploration wells. These costs are

expensed if the existing area of operations that they relate to

is unsuccessful or abandoned. All other geothermal

exploration costs are expensed.

Carbon emission units are purchased to offset our emissions

under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

The units are measured at weighted average cost. They are

classified as current assets when they will be used to offset

our ETS obligations at balance date or obligations expected

to be incurred within one year of balance date.

Depreciation and amortisation

The cost of Contact’s assets is spread evenly over their

useful lives (straight line method) or, for certain thermal

assets, over the equivalent operating hours (EOH) those

assets are expected to be of benefit to Contact.

Management estimates an asset’s useful life or EOH and this

is reviewed annually. The useful life changes identified in the

current reporting period did not result in a material change in

depreciation.

Land, capital work in progress and carbon emission units are

not depreciated or amortised. The depreciation and

amortisation rates for all other assets are:

AssetRate/hours

Generation plant and equipment:


- Straight line 1 - 33%

- Equivalent operating hours 8,000 - 100,000

Other buildings, plant and equipment 2 - 33%

Computer software 5 - 33%

Gas storage rights 3%

Contact Annual Report 201862
C2. GOODWILL AND ASSET IMPAIRMENT TESTING

Contact has three cash-generating units (CGUs): Generation, Retail and LPG. The Retail and LPG CGUs include goodwill of

$179 million and $3 million respectively, which is unchanged from the prior reporting period. Capital work in progress (CWIP)

includes $95 million (2017: $95 million) related to future generation developments not allocated to a CGU.

Every reporting period management estimates the value in use expected to be recovered from Contact’s CGUs and future

generation development in CWIP. Held for sale assets and disposal groups are measured at the lower of their carrying value

and fair value less costs to sell. An impairment is recognised when the recoverable amount or fair value less costs to sell is

lower than the carrying value.

Determining value in use involves estimating future cash flows for each CGU. The cash flows are adjusted for future growth

based on historical inflation and discounted at a post-tax discount rate between 7 and 8% to arrive at the present value, or

recoverable amount, of each CGU. The future generation development valuations use the same key inputs as the Generation

CGU plus an estimate of plant commissioning costs.

The LPG CGU is a disposal group at 30 June 2018 (refer note A5). The expected net sale proceeds from the sale agreement

entered into on 31 July 2018 is higher than the carrying value of the LPG CGU. The expected net sale proceeds for the held for

sale Ahuroa Gas Storage Facility assets (refer note A5) is greater than the carrying value of $185 million.

No impairments were recognised in the current or prior period.

The key inputs to CGU and future generation development cash flows are:

Retail CGUGeneration CGU and future generation development

Customer numbers

and churn

Actual customer numbers adjusted for historical

churn data and expected market trends

Generation

volume and mix

Generation strategy based on expected demand,

hydro volumes and expected market pricing

Margin per

customer

Actual margin per customer adjusted for

expected market changes

Amount received

for generated

electricity

ASX future electricity prices adjusted for location

and seasonal shape for periods quoted on the ASX

market, or prices estimated based on an analysis

of expected demand and cost of new supply for

periods not quoted on the ASX market

Cost of purchased

energy

ASX future electricity prices adjusted for location

and seasonal shape.

Gas price

Contracted gas prices otherwise Contact’s best

estimate of future prices

A change in future wholesale electricity prices used to determine Generation CGU cash flows could affect the amount

Contact receives for its generated electricity. A systemic reduction in wholesale electricity prices may result in an impairment

of the Generation CGU.

Wholesale electricity prices are influenced by a number of factors that are difficult to predict. In particular weather, which can

impact short term prices. Wholesale electricity prices may also be adversely affected by a reduction in demand, the

availability of fuel and generation capacity in the wholesale electricity market, competitor and transmission system availability.

This could affect both the volume of energy Contact can generate and the price it receives for generation. Whether Contact is

adversely affected will depend on the specific circumstances and how those circumstances impact Contact’s portfolio.

Contact Annual Report 201863
Contact’s financial risk management system mitigates the

exposure to market, credit and liquidity risks by ensuring that

material risks are identified, the financial impact is

understood and tools and limits are in place to manage

exposures. Written policies provide the framework for

Contact’s financial risk management system.

D1. MARKET RISK

Interest rate risk

Contact has issued fixed and floating rate debt and is

exposed to movements in interest rates. For fixed rate debt

the exposure is to falling interest rates as we could have

secured that funding at lower rates, while for floating rate

debt there is uncertainty of future cash interest payments.

Contact manages these risks through the use of interest rate

swaps (IRS) and cross currency and interest rate swaps

(CCIRS) to ensure that the total debt portfolio has an

appropriate amount of fixed and floating rate debt. The risk is

monitored by assessing the notional amount of debt on a

fixed and floating basis and ensuring this is in accordance

with set policies.

Foreign exchange risk

Contact is exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates

through its commitments to pay certain suppliers and USPP

note holders.

To mitigate the risk, forward foreign exchange contracts are

used to fix future cash flows in NZD terms. Foreign debt is

hedged through the use of CCIRS, which convert foreign

currency principal and interest payments to NZD at a fixed

foreign exchange rate.

Commodity price risk

Contact is exposed to electricity price risk through the sale

and purchase of electricity on the wholesale electricity

market. Contact’s integrated generation and retail business

provides a natural hedge for most of this exposure.

Derivatives may be used to fix the price at which Contact

buys or sells any residual exposure to electricity price risks.

In addition, Contact is party to fixed price, variable volume

electricity price derivatives to provide cover in extreme price

situations.

Contact is also exposed to natural gas price risk on

purchases of natural gas. Short and long term gas purchase

contracts are used to fix the price of gas. These are not

derivative financial instruments.

Derivative usedUnitMaturities20182017

CCIRS$m2020 - 20284 47560

Foreign exchange$m2018425

IRS - floating exposure$m2019 - 2022394521

IRS - fixed exposure$m2018 - 20251,014979

Electricity priceGWh2018 - 20229,1418,290

$m

Favourable/(unfavourable) 20182017

Hedging impact on cash flow hedge reserve (CFHR)

Forward electricity prices+10%(14)(14)

-10%1414

Forward foreign exchange rates+10%-(1)

-10%-1

Hedging impact on post-tax profit/(loss)

Forward interest rates+10 0 bps2020

-25bps(5)(5)

Forward electricity prices+10%2(19)

-10%(5)-

The notional market risk exposure maturities and amounts for

electricity price derivatives in the table above does not

include fixed price, variable volume contracts and options

not yet called.

Sensitivities

The table below summarises the impact on derivative

valuations of possible changes in forward wholesale electricity

prices, forward foreign exchange rates and forward interest

rates. The analysis assumes that all variables were held

constant except for the relevant market risk factor.

Summary of hedged exposures

A summary of Contact’s notional market risk exposure

excluding the discontinued operation at the reporting period

end is provided below:

D. Our Financial Risks

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018

Contact Annual Report 201864
The change in fair value of derivatives is provided below.

The fair value movements in the cash flow hedge reserve

(CFHR) includes the discontinued operation in both periods.

D2. LIQUIDITY RISK

To reduce liquidity risk, Contact maintains a diverse portfolio of funding, debt maturities are spread over a number of years

and any new financing or refinancing requirements are addressed with an appropriate lead time. In addition, Contact

maintains a buffer of undrawn bank facilities over its forecast funding requirements to enable it to meet any unforeseen cash

flows.

Management monitors the available liquidity buffer by comparing forecast cash flows to available facilities to ensure sufficient

liquidity is maintained in accordance with internal limits.

Information on contracted cash flows in the table below is presented on an undiscounted basis and excludes held for sale

assets and liabilities for the current reporting period.

CCIRS cash flows are included within Borrowings in the table below. US dollar inflows on the CCIRS offsets the US dollar

outflow on the USPP.

2018

$m

Total contractual

cash flows

Less than

1 year1-2 years2-5 years

More than

5 years

Trade and other payables(170)(170)---

Borrowings(1,689)(559)(129)(516)(4 85)

Electricity price derivatives - net settled76-1-

IRS - net settled(37)(10)(10)(15)(2)

Foreign exchange derivatives - inflow44---

Foreign exchange derivatives - outflow(4)(4)---

(1,889)(733)(139)(530)(4 87)

Restated 2017

Trade and other payables(201)(201)---

Borrowings(1,857)(473)(343)(412)(629)

Electricity price derivatives - net settled(4 0)(10)(6)(12)(12)

IRS - net settled(51)(14)(11)(24)(2)

Foreign exchange derivatives - inflow2525---

Foreign exchange derivatives - outflow(25)(25)---

(2 ,149)(698)(360)(4 4 8)(643)


$m

2018

Profit/

(loss)

2018

CHFR

2017

Profit/

(loss)

2017

CHFR

CCIRS42-(52)-

IRS(3)-(6)-

Fair value adjustment to

borrowings

(41)-62-

Fair value hedges(2)-4-

CCIRS - margin-2-(2)

Foreign exchange derivatives-1-4

Electricity price derivatives-16-(23)

Tax on change in fair value-(5)-6

Cash flow hedges-14-(15)

IRS1-23-

Electricity price derivatives4-(4)-

Derivatives not designated in

hedge relationships

5-19-

Total fair value movement31423(15)

D3. CREDIT RISK

Total credit risk exposure, excluding the held for sale assets, is measured by the notional amount of financial instruments in an

asset position of $227 million (2017: $234 million). To minimise credit risk exposure, we have a policy to only transact with

credit worthy counterparties and do not exceed internally imposed exposure limits to any one counterparty. Where

appropriate, collateral is obtained. Further information on customer related credit risk is provided in note E4.

Fair value of derivatives

The fair value of derivatives used to hedge risk, excluding

held for sale derivatives for the current reporting period,

categorised by accounting treatment is provided below:

$m

2018

Asset

2018

Liability

2017

Asset

2017

Liability

Fair value hedges

CCIRS47(2)33(30)

IRS5-8-

Cash flow hedges

CCIRS - margin-(2)2(6)

Electricity price derivatives9(1)-(6)

Derivatives not designated in

hedge relationships


IRS2(54)-(53)

Electricity price derivatives2(2)3(7)

65(61)46(102)

Current14(17)8(50)

Non-current51(4 4)38(52)

Further information on fair value and accounting for

derivatives is provided in note E7

Contact Annual Report 201865
E 1 . TA X

Tax expense is made up of current tax expense and deferred

tax expense. Current tax expense relates to the current

financial reporting period while deferred tax will be payable in

future periods.

Tax is recognised in profit, except when it relates to items

recognised directly in other comprehensive income (OCI).

Contact’s deferred tax liability is calculated as the difference

between the carrying value of assets and liabilities for

financial reporting purposes and the values used for

taxation purposes.

E2. OPERATING EXPENSES

Other operating expenses (note A3) include total labour

costs of $99 million (2017: $103 million). Labour costs include

contributions to KiwiSaver of $3 million (2017: $3 million).

Audit fees paid to Contact’s auditors (KPMG) comprise of

$520,000 for review of the interim, and audit of the year end,

financial statements (2017: $480,000), and $2,500 for

scrutineering at the Annual meeting (2017: $2,150).

E3. INVENTORY

Contact’s inventories include gas in storage at the Ahuroa

gas storage facility for use in thermal generation. Inventory

gas is carried at the lower of net realisable value (NRV) and

cost. NRV is based on the value Contact expects to realise

for the gas through electricity production. This is estimated

as thermal generation revenue (based on ASX futures prices)

less forecast operating, transmission and carbon costs.

Inventory gas is split between current and non-current based

on expected future and past actual gas usage. At 30 June

2018, Contact expects to use 50% of the gas held in storage

within one year of the reporting period end (2017: 50%).

Consumables and spare parts for power stations, LPG fuel

for sale and diesel fuel for use in the Whirinaki power plant

are stated at cost and are all classified as current assets.

E4. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade and unbilled receivables are recognised net of

discounts based on past experience of the amount of

discounts taken up by customers. Unbilled receivables

represent Contact’s best estimate of retail sales for unread

electricity and gas meters at the end of the reporting period.

The estimate uses the consumption history of customer

meters to determine the relevant unbilled amount for

the period.

$m2018

Restated

2017

Profit before tax - continuing operations

153180

Tax at 28%(4 3)(50)

Tax effect of adjustments:

- Non-taxable sale of land-1

- Other

(1)(2)

- Prior period adjustments3-

Tax expense - continuing operations(41)(51)

Current tax expense(36)(33)

Deferred tax expense(5)(18)

$m

PP&E and

intangible

assets

Derivative

financial

instrumentsOtherTo t a l

Restated balance at 1 July

2016

(777)1921(737)

Recognised in profit/(loss)(6)(7)(5)(18)

Recognised in OCI-6-6

Restated balance at 30

June 2017

(783)1816( 74 9)

Recognised in profit/(loss)(7)-2(5)

Recognised in OCI -(5)-(5)

Deduct held for sale

liabilities

101(3)8

Balance at 30 June 2018(780)1415(751)

$m20182017

Inventory gas

4654

Consumables and spare parts910

LPG-2

Diesel fuel34


5870

Current3546

Non-current2324

$m2018

Restated

2017

Trade receivables

6578

Unbilled receivables96100

Provision for impairment(2)(3)

Net trade receivables159175

Contract assets

1312

Prepayments33

Other receivables-7

175197

E. Other Disclosures

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018

Contact Annual Report 201866
Bad debts net of recoveries of $6 million (2017: $7 million)

were recognised during the reporting period.

Contract assets

Contact capitalises the incremental costs incurred to

acquire new customers and amortises these costs to

operating expenses over the expected life of the customer

relationship. Incentives given to customers are also

capitalised as a contract asset and amortised to revenue

over the same period.

$m2018

Restated

2017

Not past due

141149

0-30 days past due1518

30-90 days past due14

Over 90 days past due24


159175

$m2018

Restated

2017

Opening balance129

Additions99

Amortised to revenue(5)(3)

Amortised to operating expenses(3)(3)

Closing balance1312

Provision for impairment

Contact recognises a provision for impairment of trade

receivables based on historical delinquency rates across the

customer base. When Contact has been unable to recover

aged debt it is written off.

Ageing of trade receivables not impaired is:

These provisions are based on estimates of future cash flows

to make good the affected sites at the end of the assets’

useful lives. The expected future cash flows are discounted to

their present value using a pre-tax discount rate equivalent to

a post-tax rate of between 7 and 8%.

E6. PROFIT TO OPERATING CASH FLOWS

A reconciliation of profit to operating cash flows for continuing

and discontinued operations is provided below. Refer to note A5

for the operating cash flows for the discontinued operation.

$m

Restoration/

environmental

rehabilitationOtherTo t a l

Balance at 1 July 2017(55)(9)(64)

Created-(1)(1)

Released1-1

Utilised718

Unwind of discount

(5)-(5)

Deduct held for sale liabilities2-2

Balance at 30 June 2018(50)(9)(59)

Current(5)(6)(11)

Non-current(4 5)(3)(4 8)

$m2018

Restated

2017

Profit132151

Depreciation and amortisation220208

Amortisation of contract assets86

Change in fair value of financial instruments(3)(23)

Movement in provisions-5

Net interest expense8493

Bad debt expense710

Movement in deferred tax518

Share-based compensation33

Other(2)(2)

Changes in assets and liabilities, net

of non-cash, investing and financing

activities

Trade and other receivables(16)(7)

Inventories and intangible assets935

Trade and other payables-7

Ta x 104

Operating cash flows457508

E7. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT FAIR VALUE

All derivatives are shown gross by instrument in the

Statement of Financial Position (and in note D1) because

Contact does not have a legally enforceable right to set off

its assets and liabilities with the same counterparty, except in

the event of default. The fair values of derivatives netted by

counterparty, excluding held for sale derivatives for the

current reporting period, are:


$m

2018

Asset

2018

Liability

2017

Asset

2017

Liability

CCIRS45-26(23)

CCIRS - margin-(2)-(4)

Foreign exchange

derivatives

----

IRS6(53)8(53)

Electricity price derivatives10(2)3(13)

61(57)37(93)

Fair value

Contact uses discounted cash flow valuations with market

observable data, to the extent that it is available, in estimating

the fair value of all derivatives and borrowings. The key

variables used in these valuations are forward prices (for the

relevant underlying interest rates, foreign exchange rates and

wholesale electricity prices) and discount rates (based on the

forward IRS curve adjusted for counterparty risk).

Of the total contract assets balance, $7 million (2017: $6

million) is expected to be amortised within one year of the

reporting period and the remainder between one to three

years of the reporting period end.

E5. PROVISIONS

Contact has restoration and environmental rehabilitation

provisions that represent the expected costs to abandon and

restore geothermal wells, generation and LPG sites and to

remove asbestos from properties.

The other provision includes $4 million (2017: $5 million) for

remediation of the Holidays Act non-compliance.

Contact Annual Report 201867
$m20182017

Sourced from market data

-(3)

Derived from market data(2)(4 5)

Electricity price estimates6(8)

4(56)

$m20182017

Opening balance(8)9

Gain/(loss) in profit/(loss):

- wholesale electricity revenue1(7)

- change in fair value of financial instruments2(1)

(Loss)/gain in OCI6(9)

Instruments issued5-

Closing balance6(8)

The electricity price derivatives most affected by estimates

are reconciled below:

Initial recognition difference

Contact has an agreement in place with Meridian Energy

Limited for the supply of 80MW of electricity, which forms

part of the electricity required by New Zealand Aluminium

Smelters to operate its Tiwai smelter. This agreement is for a

remaining period of up to 12 years and is recognised as an

electricity price derivative at fair value.

In addition, Contact has entered into a new agreement with

Meridian Energy Limited for the supply of 18.75MW of

electricity required by New Zealand Aluminium Smelters to

operate the fourth potline at its Tiwai smelter. The term

commences on commissioning date of the fourth potline

until 31 December 2022.

An initial recognition difference arises when the fair value of

the derivative differs from its transaction price.

The difference is accounted for by recalibrating the fair value

by a fixed percentage to arrive at a value at inception equal

to the transaction price.

Derivatives not in hedge relationships

These include IRS not attached to specific debt, electricity

price derivatives purchased as part of a requirement to

participate in the ASX futures electricity market and financial

transmission rights. All changes in fair value of these

derivatives are recognised directly in profit/(loss).

$m20182017

Opening difference

(33)(17)

Initial differences in new hedges3-

Volumes expired and amortised8(1)

Changes for future prices and time23(15)

Closing difference

1(33)

$m20182017

Opening balance

(8)7

Effective portion of cash flow hedges15(29)

Transferred to revenue511

Transferred to property, plant and equipment-(3)

Transferred to deferred tax

(5)6

Closing balance

7(8)

Fair value hedges

The interest rate swaps Contact enters into to manage its

interest rate risk meet the criteria for hedge accounting

where they directly relate to issued debt and the terms of the

derivative match the debt. The hedge is against future fair

value movements in the debt and can be for a portion of the

debt. Contact has designated all its USPP notes, $50 million

of wholesale bonds and $174 million of retail bonds in fair

value hedge relationships.

Both the hedging instrument (IRS) and the hedged risk are

recognised at fair value. The change in the fair value of both

items offset the change in fair value of financial instruments

in the SOCI to the extent the hedging relationship is effective.

Cash flow hedges

The derivatives used to manage commodity price risk and

foreign exchange risk usually qualify for cash flow hedge

accounting.

Only the derivative is recognised at fair value with the

effective portion of all changes in fair value recognised in the

cash flow hedge reserve. Any ineffective portion is

recognised immediately in profit/(loss). Amounts recognised

in the cash flow hedge reserve are reclassified to profit/(loss)

or the Statement of Financial Position according to the

nature of the hedged item.

Refer below for a reconciliation of the movement in the cash

flow hedge reserve.

All inputs are sourced or derived from market information

except for forward wholesale electricity prices which are:

»derived from ASX market quoted prices adjusted for

Contact’s estimate of the effect of location and

seasonality, or

»when quoted prices are not available or relevant (i.e.

long dated and large contracts), Contact’s best

estimate of the cost of new supply is used. This is

derived using key unobservable inputs, relevant

wholesale market factors and management

judgement.

Additional key inputs and assumptions used to determine

the fair value of electricity derivatives include Contact’s best

estimate of volumes called over the life of electricity options,

forward quoted commodity prices (e.g. aluminium and

carbon) and calibration adjustments as a consequence of

initial recognition differences.

The following table provides a breakdown of the fair value of

derivatives, excluding held for sale derivatives in the current

reporting period, by the source of key valuation inputs:

The calibration adjustment is applied to future valuations and

reflects the estimated future gains or losses yet to be

recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

(SOCI) over the remaining life of the agreement. The change

in calibration adjustment is provided in the table below:

Contact Annual Report 201868
$m2018

Restated

2017

Cash and cash equivalents36

Trade and other receivables159182

Trade and other payables(170)(201)

Borrowings (1,433)(1,538)

For disclosure purposes, the fair value of borrowings,

excluding held for sale, is $1,503 million (2017: $1,572 million).

This fair value is derived from market data.

E9. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Equity scheme

Contact provides an equity award made up of options,

performance share rights (PSRs) and deferred share rights

(DSRs) to certain eligible employees. If performance hurdles

are met, or there is a company change in control, the awards

vest and become exercisable. On exercise, PSRs and DSRs

convert to ordinary shares at no cost to the employee and

options convert on payment of the agreed exercise price or by

utilising the option of a facility which cancels the options in

return for a reduced number of issued shares. There are no

loans available. There are no holding/retention periods or

ownership requirements for employees who exercise equity.

The awards lapse if the performance hurdles are not met, if

they are not exercised by the lapse date or if an employee

voluntarily leaves Contact. The scheme continues on

redundancy but the entitlements are adjusted.

The table below provides a reconciliation of the number of

outstanding options and their weighted average exercise price.

Options

Number outstandingPrice

Balance at 1 July 201611,000,987$5.34

Granted1,157,407$4.98

Lapsed(2,511,733)$5.37

Balance at 30 June 20179,646,661$5.28

Granted1,148,119$5.54

Exercised(4,318,578)$5.24

Lapsed(330, 834)$5.30

Balance at 30 June 20186,145,368$5.36

E8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT

AMORTISED COST

The value of financial instruments carried at amortised cost,

excluding held for sale assets and liabilities in the current

reporting period, is provided in the table below.

At 30 June 2018, 3,050,726 share options were exercisable.

The exercisable share options have a weighted average

exercise price of $5.55.

Number outstandingPSRsDSRs

Balance at 1 July 2016

294,316314,170

Granted285,054345,720

Lapsed(4 3 ,0 67)(64,654)

Balance at 30 June 2017536,303595,236

Granted2 74 , 3 47309,212

Exercised-(276,784)

Lapsed(4 3 ,085)(39,452)

Balance at 30 June 2018767, 5 6 5588,212

The table below provides a reconciliation for the number of

outstanding PSRs and DSRs. The exercise price of these

awards is nil.

Share options had a weighted average remaining life of one

year and 10 months (2017: one year, seven months), PSRs had

two years and nine months (2017: three years, five months)

and DSRs had 11 months (2017: 11 months).

Contact Share

Contact Share is Contact’s employee share ownership plan

that enables eligible employees to acquire a set number of

Contact’s ordinary shares. The shares are acquired on

market and legally held by a trustee company for a restrictive

period of three years, during which time the employee is

entitled to receive distributions and direct the exercise of

voting rights that attach to shares held on their behalf.

At the end of the restrictive period the shares are transferred

to the employee. Employees who leave Contact due to

redundancy, and in certain other circumstances, may have

their shares transferred at that time; all other employees who

leave Contact have their shares transferred to an

unallocated pool. Shares in the unallocated pool can be used

by the trustee company for future allocations under

Contact Share.

Number outstandingContact Share

Balance at 1 July 2016

402,430

Shares purchased and issued139,071

Transferred to employees(138,128)

Balance at 30 June 2017403,373

Shares purchased and issued105,471

Transferred to employees(121,199)

Balance at 30 June 20183 87,6 4 5

These shares have a weighted average remaining life of one

year and three months (2017: one year, four months).

Share-based compensation expense

The current reporting period’s expense was $3 million (2017:

$3 million).

The share-based compensation expense is based on the fair

value of the awards granted adjusted to reflect the number of

awards expected to vest. The fair values of awards granted

during the reporting period are:

$m20182017

Share options

0.420.44

PSRs3.032.91

DSRs4.884.50

Contact Share5.544.98

Contact Annual Report 201869
Key inputs in determining the fair values are:

$m20182017

Risk-free interest rate

2%2%

Expected dividend yield6%6%

Expected share price volatility20%21%

Received/(paid) $m20182017

Rockgas Timaru Limited


Sale of LPG - discontinued operation22

Key management personnel

Directors' fees(1)(1)

LT - salary and other short-term benefits(5)(6)

LT - share-based compensation expense(1)(1)

Balances payable at end of the year

Key management personnel(1)(1)

E10. RELATED PARTIES

Contact’s related parties include Directors, the Leadership

Team (LT) and Rockgas Timaru Limited. Contact wholly

owns Rockgas Limited, which holds 50% of Rockgas Timaru

Limited. Both entities are LPG retailers.

Related party transactions are disclosed in the table below.

Members of the Leadership Team purchase goods and

services from Contact for domestic purposes on normal

commercial terms and conditions which includes staff

discount available to all eligible employees.

E11. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Contact has chosen not to early adopt NZ IFRS 9 Financial

Instruments (NZ IFRS 9), which is effective for the year

ending 30 June 2019.

NZ IFRS 9 addresses the classification and measurement of

financial assets and liabilities, the impairment of financial

assets and hedge accounting.

The adoption of NZ IFRS 9 will permit Contact to reduce

reported volatility in the Statement of Comprehensive

Income as NZ IFRS 9 enables Contact to hedge account for

interest rate swaps that could not be hedge accounted under

the current accounting standards. This change to the hedge

accounting rules aligns more closely with Contact’s interest

rate risk management activity. While this is expected to

reduce profit/(loss) volatility over time, the interest rate

swaps in place on transition to NZ IFRS 9 may not be fully

effective hedges and may continue to accounted for as

derivatives not designated in a hedge relationship.

Changes in the fair value of the cost to convert foreign

currency to NZD of Contact’s CCIRS will be separately

accounted for as a cost of hedging and recognised within a

new reserve within equity (cost of hedging reserve).

No other significant changes are expected as a result of the

adoption of NZ IFRS 9.

Contact Annual Report 201870
Independent Auditor’s report

To the shareholders of Contact Energy Limited

REPORT ON THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Opinion

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial

statements of Contact Energy Limited (the company) and

the entities which it has control or joint control (the group) on

pages 48 to 69:

i. present fairly in all material respects the Group’s

financial position as at 30 June 2018 and its financial

performance and cash flows for the year ended on

that date; and

ii. comply with New Zealand Equivalents to International

Financial Reporting Standards and International

Financial Reporting Standards.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial

statements which comprise:

»the consolidated statement of financial position as

at 30 June 2018;

»the consolidated statements of comprehensive

income, changes in equity and cash flows for the

year then ended; and

»notes, including a summary of significant accounting

policies and other explanatory information.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International

Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) (‘ISAs (NZ)’). We

believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient

and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

We are independent of the group in accordance with

Professional and Ethical Standard 1 (Revised) Code of Ethics

for Assurance Practitioners issued by the New Zealand

Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and the

International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ Code

of Ethics for Professional Accountants (IESBA Code), and we

have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance

with these requirements and the IESBA Code.

Our responsibilities under ISAs (NZ) are further described in

the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated

financial statements section of our report.

Our firm has also provided other services to the group in

relation to trustee reporting and annual meeting

scrutineering to the Company and Group. Subject to certain

restrictions, partners and employees of our firm may also

deal with the group on normal terms within the ordinary

course of trading activities of the business of the group.

These matters have not impaired our independence as

auditor of the group. The firm has no other relationship with,

or interest in, the group.

Scoping

The scope of our audit is designed to ensure that we perform

adequate work to be able to give an opinion on the

consolidated financial statements as a whole, taking into

account the structure of the group, the financial reporting

systems, processes and controls, and the industry in which

it operates.

The context for our audit is set by the group’s major activities

in the financial year ended 30 June 2018. The group had a

continued focus on implementing its cost efficiency

programme and improvements in customer operating

performance as it seeks to realise benefits from its

investments in its retail customer business. There also

remains an ongoing focus on the portfolio of long life

generation assets in light of potential sector developments

and an overall strategy to increase the proportion of

renewable generation in New Zealand.

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of

materiality. Materiality helped us to determine the nature,

timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the

effect of misstatements, both individually and on the

consolidated financial statements as a whole. The materiality

for the consolidated financial statements as a whole was set

at $8.2 million determined with reference to a benchmark of

group profit before tax from continuing operations. We chose

the benchmark because, in our view, this is a key measure of

the group’s performance.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional

judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the

consolidated financial statements in the current period. We

summarise below those matters and our key audit

procedures to address those matters in order that the

shareholders as a body may better understand the process

by which we arrived at our audit opinion. Our procedures

were undertaken in the context of and solely for the purpose

of our statutory audit opinion on the consolidated financial

statements as a whole and we do not express discrete

opinions on separate elements of the consolidated

financial statements

Key audit matters: Carrying value of cash-generating units

Note C1 and C2 of the financial statements

The Group separates its business into three cash-generating

units (CGUs) for the purpose of asset impairment testing.

The value of each CGU, including any allocated goodwill, is

supported by a discounted cash flow model which is

inherently subjective.

We focussed primarily on the generation assets due to the

significance of the assets relative to the Group’s financial

position, the impact changes in underlying assumptions may

have and the sensitivity of the generation portfolio to

developments and changes in the electricity generation

sector as a whole.

Contact Annual Report 201871
The significant assumptions in the generation model are

forward electricity prices, future generation volumes,

forecast operating and asset costs, the terminal growth rate

and the discount rate applied to the future cash flows. All

these assumptions involve judgement.

How the matter was addressed in our audit

Our work to assess whether the Group should recognise any

impairment to the CGUs included ensuring the methodology

adopted in the model is consistent with accepted valuation

approaches. We also assessed whether the modelled cash

flows appropriately reflect the Group’s strategy and budget.

We tested the significant judgements in the modelled cash

flows by comparing forward electricity prices to external

market projections, comparing future generation volumes to

historical volumes, comparing operating costs and asset

renewal costs to historical levels and budgets and assessing

any impact in changes in the cost structure of generation

sites. We also compared the model’s terminal growth and

discount rates to our own independently determined rates.

We challenged the assumptions by performing a sensitivity

analysis, considering a range of likely outcomes based on

various scenarios.

We are satisfied that the forward electricity prices, future

generation volumes, forecast operating and asset renewal

costs, terminal growth rate and discount rate assumptions

used by Management were within acceptable ranges and in

line with the current market view.

As an overall test we compared the Group’s net assets at 30

June 2018 of $2.7 billion to its market capitalisation of $4.2

billion at 30 June 2018 and noted an implied headroom of

$1.5 billion.

Key audit matters: Future development of generation

capital work in progress

Note C1 of the financial statements

We considered the recoverability of capital work in progress,

with a particular focus on the Tauhara geothermal project

and wells that are held for future development.

We consider this a key audit matter due to the recoverability

assessment being based on Management’s intention for

continued investment in the project; the impact of future

developments in the electricity generation sector and the

level of judgement involved in the assumptions modelled to

determine future economic feasibility of these projects.

How the matter was addressed in our audit

We satisfied ourselves that the recoverability of generation

projects held in capital work in progress for future

development were supported by appropriate development

plans and economic feasibility models.

The minutes of board and executive management meetings,

which we reviewed, demonstrated continued support for the

future development of the generation projects held in work in

progress. The strategy towards development of low emission

generation assets is supported by external sector factors.

Key audit matters: Revenue recognition

Notes A1 and A3 of the financial statements

The Group has numerous revenue streams for which there

are different price structures and deliverables.

For electricity and gas revenue, customer billing cycles are

not aligned to the end of reporting period therefore an

estimate for unbilled receivables is required.

The estimation of revenue that has not been billed to

customers is considered a key audit matter due to its

significance to profit and the judgement involved in

estimating each customer’s electricity and gas consumption

since their last bill.

For the year ended 30 June 2018 the Group has early

adopted NZ IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with

Customers. The early adoption of this accounting standard

has impacted both how the Group recognises revenue and

the treatment of costs to obtain customer contracts.

Our focus has been on the recognition of revenue in respect

of:

»accounting for retail customer product offerings,

including cash incentives, loyalty programmes and

service fees; and

»accounting for material commercial and industrial

contracts that included multiple performance

obligations that exist under the contract.

The other area of focus was on the incremental customer

acquisition costs incurred to obtain a customer and direct

customer incentives. These are capitalised as contract

assets and recognised over the expected life of the

relationship with of customers.

The early adoption has been retrospectively applied with

comparative periods being restated in the financial

statements.

How the matter was addressed in our audit

We assessed the control environment for capturing

customer revenue and compared each revenue stream to

our expectation which was supported by internal and

external factors. We agreed wholesale electricity to third

party documentation.

Our audit procedures to assess the estimate of unbilled

electricity and gas revenue and receivables included

assessing the methodology used to calculate the unbilled

revenue, recalculating a sample of the unbilled receivables at

the individual customer level, performing trend analysis by

comparing the unbilled mass market receivable to our

forecasted expectation; and verifying a sample of

commercial and industrial unbilled receivables to

subsequent invoices.

We found that the estimate of unbilled revenue and

receivables to be in line with our expectation.

Our procedures to assess the appropriate level of revenue to

be recognised in accordance with the transition to NZ IFRS

15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers included:

»Comparing on a portfolio basis, the mass market

customer performance obligations identified were

consistent with the standard terms and conditions

within underlying contracts;

»Comparing on a sample basis, the commercial and

industrial electricity customer performance

obligations identified were consistent with the terms

and conditions within underlying contracts; and

Contact Annual Report 201872
»Evaluating the appropriateness of the transaction

price allocation, which includes variable

consideration, to the performance obligations

identified.

Our procedures to assess the contract assets included:

»Agreeing a sample of capitalised acquisition costs

to invoice and external contracts to ensure that the

capitalised costs were incremental in nature and

incurred in the process of obtaining a customer

contract;

»Evaluating the appropriateness of the expected life

of the relationship with the customer by observing

historical customer information; and

»Assessing whether contract assets are

appropriately recognised over the expected life of

the relationship with the customer.

We have agreed the restatement in note A1: Adoption of new

accounting policies to the underlying calculations and

re-performed those calculations.

Our procedures did not identify any significant findings

surrounding the adoption of NZ IFRS 15 Revenue from

Contracts with Customers.

Other information

The Directors, on behalf of the group, are responsible for the

other information included in the entity’s Annual Report.

Other information includes the directors’ report, statutory

information, sustainability reporting, five year summary and

statistics and corporate governance policies. Our opinion on

the consolidated financial statements does not cover any

other information and we do not express any form of

assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial

statements our responsibility is to read the other information

and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is

materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial

statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or

otherwise appears materially misstated. If, based on the

work we have performed, we conclude that there is a

material misstatement of this other information, we are

required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in

this regard.

Use of this independent auditor’s report

This independent auditor’s report is made solely to the

shareholders as a body. Our audit work has been undertaken

so that we might state to the shareholders those matters we

are required to state to them in the independent auditor’s

report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent

permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility

to anyone other than the shareholders as a body for our audit

work, this independent auditor’s report, or any of the

opinions we have formed.

Responsibilities of the Directors for the

consolidated financial statements

The Directors, on behalf of the company, are responsible for:

»the preparation and fair presentation of the

consolidated financial statements in accordance

with generally accepted accounting practice in

New Zealand (being New Zealand Equivalents to

International Financial Reporting Standards) and

International Financial Reporting Standards;

»implementing necessary internal control to enable

the preparation of a consolidated set of financial

statements that is fairly presented and free from

material misstatement, whether due to fraud or

error; and

»assessing the ability to continue as a going concern.

This includes disclosing, as applicable, matters

related to going concern and using the going

concern basis of accounting unless they either

intend to liquidate or to cease operations, or have no

realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the

consolidated financial statements

Our objective is:

»to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the

consolidated financial statements as a whole are

free from material misstatement, whether due to

fraud or error; and

»to issue an independent auditor’s report that

includes our opinion.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not

a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs

NZ will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error. They are

considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they

could reasonably be expected to influence the economic

decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated

financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of

these consolidated financial statements is located at the

External Reporting Board (XRB) website at:

http://www.xrb.govt.nz/standards-for-assurance-

practitioners/auditors-responsibilities/audit-report-1/

This description forms part of our independent

auditor’s report.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this

independent auditor’s report is David Gates

David Gates

For and on behalf of KPMG

Wellington, 10 August 2018

Contact Annual Report 201873
Corporate directory

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sir Ralph Norris (Chairman) KNZM

Victoria Crone

Whaimutu Dewes

Rob McDonald

Sue Sheldon CNZM

Elena Trout

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Dennis Barnes

Chief Executive Officer

Graham Cockroft

Chief Financial Officer

Venasio-Lorenzo Crawley

Chief Customer Officer

James Kilty

Chief Generation and Development Officer

Tania Palmer

General Manager, People and Safety

Catherine Thompson

General Manager, External Relations and General Counsel

REGISTERED OFFICE

Contact Energy Limited

Harbour City Tower

29 Brandon Street

Wellington 6011

New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 499 4001

Fax: +64 4 499 4003

Find us on Facebook, Tw i t t e r, LinkedIn and Yo uTu b e by

searching for Contact Energy

COMPANY NUMBERS

NZ Incorporation 660760

ABN 68 080 480 477

AUDITOR

KPMG

PO Box 996

Wellington 6140

REGISTRY

Change of address, payment instructions and investment

portfolios can be viewed and updated online:

investorcentre.linkmarketservices.co.nz

investorcentre.linkmarketservices.com.au

New Zealand Registry

Link Market Services Limited, PO Box 91976, Auckland 1142

Level 11, Deloitte Centre, 80 Queen Street, Auckland 1010

contactenergy@linkmarketservices.co.nz

Phone: + 64 9 375 5998

Fax: +64 9 375 5990

Australian Registry

Link Market Services Limited, Locked Bag A14, Sydney

South, NSW 1235

680 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

contactenergy@linkmarketservices.com.au

Phone:+61 2 8280 7111

Fax: + 61 2 9287 0303

INVESTOR RELATIONS ENQUIRIES

Matthew Forbes

Investor Relations Manager

investor.centre@contactenergy.co.nz

Phone: +64 4 462 1323

SUSTAINABILITY ENQUIRIES

Genelle Palmer

Senior Sustainability Advisor

genelle.palmer@contactenergy.co.nz

Assurer

Ernst & Young

2 Takutai Square

Britomart

Auckland 1010

Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.

Other issuers discussed similar conditions around this time

Matched by meaning across NZX announcement text, not keywords — based on our semantic index of announcement bodies.

  • CMO — The Colonial Motor Company Limited: Preliminary full year result and dividend
    2018-08-23

    Results for announcement to the market Name of listed issuer The Colonial Motor Company Limited Reporting period Year to 30 June 2018 Corresponding reporting period Year to 30 June 2017 Consolidated Statement of Financial Performance Current year Up/(down) $ million…”

  • PYS — PaySauce Limited: Financial Result for Year Ended 31 March 2018
    2018-05-30

    APPENDIX 1 RELEASE 30 May 2018 This document covers Energy Mad Limited’s un-audited financial results for the year ended 31 March 2018. ENERGY MAD LIMITED RESULTS FOR ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE MARKET Reporting Period 12 months to 31 March 2018 Previous…”

  • EBO — EBOS Group Limited: ASX Appendix 4E
    2018-08-22

    1 Appendix 4E Final Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2018 RESULTS FOR ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE MARKET The following information is presented in accordance with ASX listing rule 4.3A and should be read in conjunction with the attached EBOS Group Limited Fina…”