Community Energy Projects
We’re helping customers be more energy efficient and save money on their electricity bill
As an organisation that is 100% owned by its customers, our kaupapa is not shareholders or profit – it’s putting the community at the centre of everything we do as we build tomorrow’s network today. A big part of this actively helping our community save power and stay warm during the winter months.
Winter Warmer Packs are now complete for 2026
Since 2023, we’ve been delivering Winter Warmer Packs to individuals and whānau in need across Waipā and surrounding areas.
Nominated by the community, the packs are designed to warm the bellies and hearts of people in need, especially during the colder months when energy costs are higher.
This year’s packs included a slow cooker, a grocery voucher, goodies for the puku and several family-friendly slow cooker recipes.
A special thanks to our sponsor:
Your generosity and support have helped to spread some much-needed warmth through the Waipā community.
Energy Assessments
Our Energy Assessment Programme is run in partnership with Ecobulb. It provides Waipā Networks customers with free personalised energy-saving actions that they can take to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. The programme includes helping customers to find the lowest cost electricity retail plan and supplying Ecobulb LED lightbulbs and energy-efficient showerheads.
Ecobulbs
We’ve partnered with Ecobulb who support communities throughout New Zealand through a range of energy-saving initiatives. These include energy-saving lightbulbs and in-home energy assessments to save electricity and lower customer costs.
We’ve distributed almost 100,000 energy-efficient lightbulbs across Waipā through community groups and events. Some whānau have received up to five lightbulbs for their homes, which will last around 30 years.
Each Ecobulb provides the same energy as a 100-watt conventional lightbulb but only uses nine watts. The estimated annual power saving for individual households is up to $112 a year.
According to Ecobulb Managing Director Chris Mardon, about 31 million inefficient lightbulbs are in New Zealand homes. Switching to new-generation LED bulbs could save the country $500 million in electricity costs annually.