Our Community
Powering our communities in more ways than one
We’re proud to be 100% customer-owned through the Waipā Networks Trust, which directly represents electricity customers across the Waipā region and Kawhia. We deliver mahi that matters for the communities we serve, with every decision, every dollar, and every initiative we take based on what’s best for our rohe.
In addition to keeping the lights on today, while building a stronger, more resilient network for tomorrow, we are committed to backing the people who make this place thrive. We actively support local projects, events, and initiatives, invest in infrastructure and services that ensure everyone stays connected as our region grows, and distribute twice-yearly power discounts to customers via their electricity retailers.
Community Sponsorships
We support events and organisations across our network that focus on education, energy hardship, arts and culture, and sustainability, offering two sponsorship levels.
Level one is designed to provide local organisations with an extra boost, with funding of up to $1,000 available. Level two is for larger community groups or events that require more extensive support over $1,000.
Customer Discounts
We offer network customers a discount twice a year, which we credit directly to their electricity retailer bill. This discount, which is a share of our profits for the preceding period, varies according to each customer’s energy usage and pricing plan and is paid in April and October.
A total of $5.4 million was distributed to Waipā Network customers via their electricity retailers in the last financial year.
Energy Hardship Programmes
At Waipā Networks, we’re proud to support whānau experiencing energy hardship with practical initiatives that make a real difference. Over the years, we’ve helped households save on power bills by distributing more than 65,000 Ecobulb LED lightbulbs and providing free Home Energy Assessments to over 500 customers.
Through local partnerships with Cambridge Community House, Kainga Aroha, Ko Wai Au, and with the generosity of local sponsors and our wider Waipā community, we’re able to deliver our Winter Warmer packs each year, helping keep homes warmer and families more comfortable through the colder months.
Investment in Growing Communities
We continue to invest in key infrastructure upgrades to support regional growth and ensure a reliable electricity supply, now and into the future, as the local communities we serve expand. These projects not only boost network capacity and resilience but also ensure a more secure network for new and existing customers. I.e., fewer future outages.
You can read more about our current network projects, including the new 33kV zone substation build in Hautapu, and what this will enable for customers here.
Have Your Say
Did you know that Waipā Network customers vote for the trustees who oversee our company? As a 100% customer-owned trust, network customers are encouraged to elect trustees who reflect their needs and values, bringing transparency and accountability to our operations. The most recent trustee election was in October 2024. The next vote will occur in October 2027.
You can learn more about The Trust’s current trustees here.
