Simon Watts
Simon Watts is a New Zealand politician and the current Minister of Energy. He has been a member of the National Party and has taken on the responsibility of overseeing the country's energy policies, particularly in light of the recent power pricing crisis. His focus includes ensuring affordable and secure electricity for both households and businesses, while also addressing the need for new energy generation.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Revenue Minister Simon Watts said that not taxing loans made to shareholders is unfair to all the other New Zealanders who pay income tax.
Budget 2026: Budget night documents dump reveal plans for benefit automation, new charities tax rules, and changes to Working for Families for people who go overseas
New Zealand· 2026-05-28
According to Revenue Minister Simon Watts, tax rules are being changed for the charitable and not-for-profit sector.
Budget 2026: 10 things you need to know, from bank levy to sneaky surplusNew Zealand· 2026-05-28
Revenue Minister Simon Watts told the Herald that they are looking at options to attract and retain capital and talent.
Budget 2026: Government faces pressure to ease quasi-wealth tax on offshore investmentsNew Zealand· 2026-05-28
Simon Watts announced new solar energy regulations to make it easier for households with rooftop panels to sell unwanted power to the national grid.
Simon Wilson’s City Desk: Solar power is the world’s cheapest source of energy, so why aren’t we using it?New Zealand· 2026-03-03
Local Government Minister Simon Watts claims that Local Water Done Well provides local choice on how wastewater treatment gets done.
Wellington’s brown tide, Christchurch’s big stink, Auckland’s toxic beaches: Why our wastewater nightmare has just begunNew Zealand· 2026-02-23
Simon Watts, the Local Government Minister, called the event a tragedy.
Christchurch dog attack: No previous complaints filed with council against animalsNew Zealand· 2026-02-22
Simon Watts called the dog attack event a tragedy and expressed his thoughts with the victim's family.
Three injured after dog attack in Christchurch suburb of BryndwrNew Zealand· 2026-02-21
Watts’ and Luxon’s LNG facility is exactly the sort of politically motivated project that the NIP warns against.
Interest rates and Auckland housing U-turn could give Luxon election tailwind despite horrendous polls – Matthew HootonNew Zealand· 2026-02-19
Simon Watts is the local government minister who announced a crown inquiry into the causes of the sewage disaster.
‘It’s a catastrophe’: Wellington rages as millions of litres of raw sewage pour into ocean | New Zealand
United Kingdom· 2026-02-19
Simon Watts, Local Government Minister, mentioned that the Department of Internal Affairs is working on better dog control.
Dog attack: Runner bitten by dogs weeks before fatal mauling in Kaihu, NorthlandNew Zealand· 2026-02-18
Local Government Minister Simon Watts said he was asking officials for urgent advice.
Dogs attracted multiple complaints before woman mauled to death in Kaihu, NorthlandNew Zealand· 2026-02-17
Energy Minister Simon 'Less Than 40' Watts announced this week the government is planning a 'levy' on electricity users.
Greg Dixon’s Another Kind of Politics: Luxon to NZ: your power bill, your problemNew Zealand· 2026-02-13
Simon Watts is the Energy Minister who made claims about lower power bills linked to the LNG terminal.
Preschooler’s blind-cord death: Politicians should have acted years ago – Audrey YoungNew Zealand· 2026-02-12
Simon Watts is the Local Government Minister who addressed concerns about roaming dogs.
As attacks surge, calls grow to overhaul NZ’s 30-year-old dog control lawsNew Zealand· 2026-02-03
Climate Minister Simon Watts wrote that the Government must begin to reset expectations of its role in providing financial assistance.
Hipkins can’t be blamed for trying to seize the moment at Mount Maunganui - Heather du Plessis-AllanNew Zealand· 2026-02-01
Revenue Minister Simon Watts emphasized the need to wind up non-viable companies to protect assets for employees and suppliers.
Small business Covid loan defaults soar, $65m already written off by IRDNew Zealand· 2026-01-31
Simon Watts is the Climate Change Minister who discussed the fiscal costs of adaptation.
Deadly storms expose growing gap between disaster recovery and climate preparationNew Zealand· 2026-01-29
Simon Watts is the Climate Change Minister working on a national flood map in response to climate change impacts.
Christopher Luxon in a crisis and the question he’s yet to answer - Adam PearseNew Zealand· 2026-01-26
National’s climate change minister, Simon Watts, is opaque on how New Zealand will meet its Paris Accord obligations.
Election year battlelines: National, Labour clash over health and tax - Dynamic BusinessNew Zealand· 2025-12-08
Local Government Minister Simon Watts implored councils to 'stop doing dumb stuff' when announcing annual rates increases would be capped.
Local government shake-up explained: Rate caps, mayors board and services – The Front PageNew Zealand· 2025-12-06
Revenue Minister Simon Watts said that the most common reason for the IRD initiating bankruptcy and liquidation is 'because customers do not initiate contact with the department, or respond to attempts to contact them'.
IRD Covid loan defaults hit $447m as 20,000 small firms fall behindNew Zealand· 2025-12-03
Local Government Minister Simon Watts said he expects all councils to 'follow best-practice contract management and procurement processes to ensure value for money for ratepayers'.
Wellington City Council admits ratepayer money is wasted in badly managed contracts, but doesn’t know how muchNew Zealand· 2025-12-02
Revenue Minister Simon Watts discharged the Digital Services Tax Bill.
Microsoft New Zealand sees strong revenue growth – turnover now double its 2021 levelNew Zealand· 2025-11-30
Four more National MPs follow Parmar: Nicola Willis, Andrew Bayly, Simon Watts and Tama Potaka.
MP property rich list: Our MPs have stakes in a combined $379 million of property - who owns the most?New Zealand· 2025-11-23
Luxon hinted at Minister Simon Watts making an announcement on their policy shortly.
Christopher Luxon dismisses leadership speculation, vows to lead National into 2026 electionNew Zealand· 2025-11-23
Simon Watts is mentioned in the context of climate change.
Reshuffle needed at highest levels of Government – Matthew HootonNew Zealand· 2025-11-20
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is in Brazil for the second week of talks at Cop and did not respond to RNZ’s request for comment on the ratings.
New Zealand slumps again in climate-change league tableNew Zealand· 2025-11-18
Simon Watts is the Minister of Revenue who responded to concerns about KiwiSaver contributions.
We spent all our savings in early retirement and now regret it – Mary HolmNew Zealand· 2025-11-01
The minister for local government, Simon Watts, told the Guardian the results provided 'a vital step in reinstating local democratic control'.
Guaranteed Māori seats on New Zealand councils to be slashed by more than half | MāoriUnited Kingdom· 2025-10-14Climate Change Minister Simon Watts stated that the government remains committed to climate change commitments.
New Zealand accused of ‘full-blown climate denial’ over cuts to methane reduction targets | New ZealandUnited Kingdom· 2025-10-13
