Shareholders Encouraged to Participate in Vote

9 June 2006

Contact Energy Shareholders Encouraged to Participate in Merger Vote

Contact Energy’s Independent Directors are encouraging shareholders to participate in the voting on the proposed merger with Origin Energy.

“The proposed merger is a significant issue for shareholders, and it is important that they are well informed of the process and the type of information they will receive from the Company over the next few months,” said Phil Pryke, Chairman of the Independent Directors Committee.

Contact has engaged Georgeson Shareholder Services to call a wide cross-section of Contact shareholders to emphasise their right to vote at the Special Meeting required to approve the merger proposal.

“The objective of the calling is to raise the profile of the Merger Proposal amongst Contact Energy Shareholders, to increase awareness and to encourage maximum participation in the shareholder vote that will occur at the Contact Energy Special Meeting.

“This is particularly important as Contact Energy has a substantial number of retail shareholders in New Zealand, many of whom have held their shares since the Company listed in 1999. Approximately one quarter of Contact Energy’s shares are held by retail shareholders – and we understand that Contact Energy forms an important part of their share portfolio,” said Mr Pryke.

Georgeson Shareholder Services is a Computershare owned company whose services enable listed companies to understand shareholder sentiment on key corporate resolutions.

ENDS

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