9 DECEMBER 2008

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 191

5013

Notes to and Forming Part of the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2008


GAS DIVISION

4 DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

a) The Division enters into New Zealand dollar floating to fixed interest rate swap agreements to reduce the impact of changes in floating interest rates on its borrowings and thus reduce variability in cash flows. First in floating instruments are entered into in order to hedge the changes in fair value of fixed rate New Zealand dollar debt. The Division also utilises cross currency interest swaps to hedge against the variations in interest costs, and fair value of the US dollar private placement debt.

Derivative instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the contract date and subsequently, measured at their value on each balance sheet date. The method of recognising the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Division designates certain derivatives as either (i) hedges of highly probable forecast transactions (cash flow hedges); or (ii) hedges of the fair value of recognised assets or liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value hedges).

The Division documents, at the inception of the hedge transaction, the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. The Division also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

(i) Cash flow hedges
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recognised in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the Income Statement. Amounts accumulated in equity are transferred to the Income Statement in the same period in which the hedged item affects the Income Statement.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is immediately transferred to the Income Statement.

(ii) Fair value hedges
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in the Income Statement, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk.

(iii) Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Certain derivative instruments are undertaken as hedges of economic exposures but do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised immediately in the Income Statement.

The fair value of financial derivatives and fixed rate debt are determined by reference to the market quoted rates input into valuation models.

All derivative instruments are carried on Balance Sheet at their fair values. Movements in the hedging reserve are shown in the Statement of Changes in Equity.

The Division holds the following financial instruments:

1. Interest rate swaps
   The Division receives New Zealand dollar fixed interest rates and pays New Zealand dollar floating interest rates. These qualify for hedge accounting as fair value hedges and are entered into on terms matched to the underlying obligation.

2. US cross currency interest rate swaps
   The Division receives US dollar fixed interest and pays New Zealand dollar floating interest. The hedge is both a fair value hedge and hedges the movements in currency that would affect interest payments and final repayment at maturity; these were entered into in terms to match the underlying obligation.

3. Interest rate swaps
   The Division receives New Zealand dollar floating interest rates and pays New Zealand dollar fixed interest. The hedge is to fix the variable floating obligations effectively as per the hedge policy and the Treasury policy and is on matched terms. These are cash flow hedges.

4. Interest rate swaps
   The Division receives New Zealand dollar floating interest rate and pays New Zealand dollar fixed interest. The hedge is to fix the variable floating obligation efficiently, as per the hedge policy, and the Treasury policy and is on matched terms but not hedge accounted.