Community ownership’s keeping local dollars working hard for Waipā
In a time when whānau are feeling the pinch and rising living costs are squeezing households and businesses, Waipā Networks is showing what being community-owned means, powering people, not profits, and returning value directly to its customers.
In the past financial year, Waipā Networks reported* more than $14 million returned to the community through discounts, sponsorships, payments to suppliers, and salaries and wages. This proves that local ownership delivers real value, not only in power reliability, but also in economic well-being and social impact.
PROFITS THAT FLOW BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Waipā Networks Trust Chair Sarah Matthews says many in the community still aren’t aware that Waipā Networks is owned by its customers through the Waipā Networks Trust, meaning a share of profits goes back to the community.
“We distributed $5.4 million in discounts to our customers via their electricity retailers in the last financial year, which is a direct benefit of our ownership model,” Matthews says.
BUILDING A STRONG NETWORK FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS
Waipā Networks chief executive Sean Horgan says investment in network upgrades, such as the new 33kV zone substation in Hautapu, delivers direct benefits to the Waipā community, increasing capacity to support local growth and strengthening reliability for existing customers.
“For households and businesses, it means greater confidence that the network can keep pace with future development,” Horgan says.
“While our network has historically operated as a low-cost 11kV system that served the community well for many years, the time has come to look ahead. Over the past 18 months, we’ve focused on future-proofing the network through targeted infrastructure projects and upgrades,” he adds.
KEEPING POWER AFFORDABLE FOR ALL
While Waipā Networks is investing to make the network stronger for the future, Horgan acknowledges affordability matters to every household and business.
“It’s not just about keeping the power on; it’s about keeping costs fair and supporting the communities we serve,” he says. “Customers can feel confident they’re receiving good value as well as a reliable service.”
The network’s commitment to supporting whānau experiencing energy hardship has also grown steadily over the past three years.
In 2022, the team partnered with Ecobulb to distribute over 65,000 energy-efficient LED light bulbs across Waipā, helping households reduce their power use and lower their bills. This was followed in 2023 by a free Home Energy Assessment programme, which reached 500 customers with personalised advice and practical tools, such as LED bulbs and efficient showerheads.
That same year, the Winter Warmer Pack Programme was introduced, including slow cookers, hearty ingredients, and vouchers for fresh produce to bring comfort and kai to local homes.
“More than 600 people have benefited from the Winter Warmer pack programme this year, more than doubling last year’s total, thanks to partnerships with Cambridge Community House, Kainga Aroha, Ko Wai Au, and the generosity of local sponsors and the Waipā community,” says Horgan.
SPONSORSHIP STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND DRIVES REGIONAL GROWTH
More than $100,000 in community sponsorships has already been invested this year, including two rounds of level one sponsorship to help grassroots groups access support for projects that matter.
Annual sponsorship programmes continue to support a wide range of local initiatives, from vehicle sponsorships for the Te Awamutu and Pirongia Volunteer Fire Brigades, Ko Wai Au and Cambridge Community House, to backing new events like the Te Awa Lights Festival, Farah Palmer Premier women’s rugby cup, and local Christmas parades.
Other initiatives championed safety, education, resilience, and future technologies, including support for CommSafe and Safer Cambridge – Neighbourhood Support groups, which provide neighbourhood safety services across the wider Waipā community.
As the platinum sponsor of the Waipā Business Awards for over 30 years, and an active member of both the Cambridge and Te Awamutu Chambers of Commerce, Waipā Networks plays a key role in regional economic development. By contracting with local suppliers and creating employment opportunities, the company is helping build a stronger, more resilient Waipā.
With another round of customer discounts on the horizon in October, Matthews says Waipā Networks is reinforcing its commitment to value for money, community wellbeing, and fair pricing, all made possible by its community trust model where every dollar stays local.