640 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 27 25 JANUARY 2005

Vector Limited

Electricity Lines Business

Statement of Accounting Policies - continued

For the year ended 31 March 2004

h) Goods and services tax (GST)

The statement of financial performance and statement of cash flows have been prepared so that all components are stated exclusive of GST. All items in the statement of financial position are stated net of GST, with the exception of the accounts receivable and accounts payable, which include GST invoiced.

i) Leased property, plant and equipment

Finance leases

Property, plant and equipment under finance leases are recognised as non-current assets in the statement of financial position. Leased property, plant and equipment are recognised initially at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or their fair value. A corresponding liability is established and each lease payment allocated between the liability and the interest expense. Leased property, plant and equipment are depreciated on the same basis as equivalent owned property, plant and equipment.

Operating leases

Operating lease payments, where the lessors effectively retain substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the leased property, plant and equipment, are included in the determination of the net surplus or deficit in equal instalments over the lease term.

Leasehold improvements

The costs of improvements to leasehold property are capitalised and amortised over the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvements, whichever is the shorter.

j) Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the New Zealand rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. At balance date foreign monetary assets and liabilities not hedged by foreign currency derivative instruments are translated at the closing rate, and exchange variations arising from these translations are included in the statements of financial performance as operating items. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies at balance date hedged by foreign currency derivative instruments are translated at contract rates.

k) Financial instruments

The Vector group, of which the electricity lines business is the predominant activity, uses derivative financial instruments within predetermined policies and limits in order to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Derivative financial instruments that are designated as hedges of specific items are recognised on the same basis as the underlying hedged items. The Vector group, of which the electricity lines business is the predominant activity, does not engage in speculative transactions or hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Fees and other costs incurred in raising debt finance are capitalised and amortised over the term of the debt instrument or debt facility. Interest income and expenses are recognised on an accrual basis. Where a debt instrument is issued at a discount or premium, the discount or premium is capitalised and amortised over the life of the instrument.

Fair value adjustments on derivative transactions acquired are capitalised to goodwill and the mark to market adjustment included in payables and accruals or separately disclosed. The component relating to goodwill is accounted for in accordance with the accounting policy for goodwill arising on acquisition. The mark to market adjustment is amortised over the period of the underlying derivative.

l) Provisions

Employee entitlements

Employee entitlements to salaries and wages, annual leave, long-term leave and other benefits are recognised when they accrue to employees.

Onerous contracts

Where the benefits expected to be derived from a contract are lower than the unavoidable costs of meeting the Vector group’s, of which the electricity lines business is the predominant activity, obligation under the contract, a provision is recognised. The provision is stated at the present value of the future net cash outflows expected to be incurred in respect of the contract.