VECTOR Limited

Electricity Lines Business

Statements of Accounting Policies - continued

For the year ended 31 March 2003

c) Income recognition

Income from the provision of electricity line network services is recognised as services are delivered. Interest income is accounted for as earned. Income from customer contributions is typically recognised on an as invoiced or percentage of completion basis to match the conditions in the customer contract.

d) Property, plant and equipment

The cost of purchased property, plant and equipment is the value of the consideration given to acquire the property, plant and equipment and the value of other directly attributable costs, which have been incurred in bringing the property, plant and equipment to the location and condition necessary for the intended service. All feasibility costs are expensed as incurred.

The cost of self-constructed property, plant and equipment includes the cost of all materials used in construction, direct labour, costs of obtaining resource management consents, financing costs that are attributable and an appropriate proportion of the variable and fixed overheads. Costs cease to be capitalised as soon as the item of property, plant and equipment is ready for productive use and do not include any inefficiency costs.

Subsequent expenditure relating to an item of property, plant and equipment is added to its gross carrying amount when such expenditure either increases the future economic benefits beyond its existing service potential, or is necessarily incurred to enable future economic benefits to be obtained, and that expenditure would have been included in the initial cost of the item had the expenditure been incurred at that time.

Distribution systems and some land and buildings are revalued by independent experts. Distribution systems are valued on the basis of depreciated replacement cost, while land and buildings are valued by reference to market information. Valuations are performed based on highest and best use in accordance with New Zealand Financial Reporting Standard No. 3.

Revaluations of distribution systems and distribution land and buildings are carried out at least every three years. Annual impairment reviews are undertaken for all property, plant and equipment not subject to revaluations.

e) Depreciation

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, is calculated so as to expense the cost or the revalued amounts of the property, plant and equipment, to their residual values over their useful lives as follows:

• Buildings: 40 - 100 years
• System fixed assets: 15 - 100 years
• Motor vehicles: 20% - 33% per annum diminishing value
• Consumer billing and information systems: 3 - 40 years
• Other property, plant and equipment: 4% - 60% per annum diminishing value

f) Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are carried at estimated realisable value after providing against debts where collection is doubtful.

g) Income tax

The income tax expense recognised for the year is based on the accounting surplus, adjusted for permanent differences between accounting and tax rules.

The impact of all timing differences between accounting and taxable income is recognised as a deferred tax liability or asset. This is the comprehensive basis for the calculation of deferred tax under the liability method.

A deferred tax asset, or the effect of losses carried forward that exceed the deferred tax liability, is recognised in the financial statements only where there is the virtual certainty that the benefit of the timing differences, or losses, will be utilised.

The deferred tax arising from timing differences resulting from revaluation of property, plant and equipment is recognised directly against the asset revaluation reserve.

h) Goods and services tax (GST)

The statements of financial performance and statements of cash flows have been prepared so that all components are stated exclusive of GST. All items in the statements of financial position are stated exclusive of GST, with the exception of the receivables and payables, which include GST invoiced.