Conductivity and dielectric relaxation are measured on several uncycled Ni(OH)(2) powders whose composition and degree of crystallization differ. The role played by water molecules intercalated in the a motifs of the interstratified structure is pointed out. Further, it is shown that coprecipitated dopants such as Co(II) and Zn(II) lower conductivity. Finally, a schematic model based on protonic conduction is proposed to account for the electrical and dielectrical properties of these solids. (C) 2003 The Electrochemical Society.