NZ First believes proposed power hikes leave an axe hovering above the Kawerau mill and the 700 jobs it provides in the Bay of Plenty.

Spokesperson for Energy Fletcher Tabuteau says the country's regions are within a 'hair's-breadth” of a $900 million dollar power price increase.

NZ First suggests the Kawerau mill could be looking at a hike in their power bill of $15 million a year, if Electricity Authority proposals go through – changes which could be irreversible.

'This government has ensured that there is no regulatory right of appeal to what the Electricity Authority proposes,” says Fletcher.

'The fat-cats at the Electricity Authority are little more than tin-pot dictators. It has not commissioned any independent expert reviews, has failed to engage with both submitters and their experts, and has refused to entertain cross-submissions.

'It was only when New Zealand First, lines companies, electricity users, mayors and the EMA all kicked up a fuss that there's been any pause at all but the clock is still ticking for our regions.”

However, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges insists no final decisions have been made.

'The Electricity Authority is the independent crown entity that regulates the electricity market,” he says.

'As Energy Minister, I am following the process carefully and am confident that the Authority is carefully considering the submissions they received.”

He says NZ First's claim of a $900 million increase in power prices is completely inaccurate.

'The transmission pricing methodology (TPM) determines the way Transpower's regulated revenue – which recovers the costs of owning and operating our secure and reliable national grid – is collected. Their revenue is set by the Commerce Commission and is currently $900 million.

'What a revised TPM would do is change how and from who that revenue is collected in order to ensure fairness and efficiency. Any changes to TPM are inherently contentious which is why it's important to find a durable solution.”