Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the MainPower Trust?
The MainPower Trust is the organisation that holds all of the ordinary share capital in MainPower New Zealand Limited. The Trustees of the MainPower Trust administer the Trust's Trust Fund, in accordance with the Trust Deed.

What does MainPower New Zealand Limited do?
MainPower New Zealand Limited is the electricity network company responsible for the distribution of power within the North Canterbury and Kaikoura areas. Visit MainPower New Zealand Limited

How does New Zealand's electricity industry work?
Generation companies own the hydro-electric dams, wind farms, geothermal and coal fired power stations which produce the electricity for New Zealand consumers. The generation companies are also electricity retailers (referred to as Gen-tailers) and they sell generated electricity to electricity consumers across New Zealand. The generated electricity is transmitted over Transpowers national grid of high voltage wires to the local network companies (such as MainPower) who then distribute the electricity through the local lines which develop, own and maintain, into homes and businesses in their region.

The diagram below describes the flow of electricity and the flow of money in payment for the services.

Who Owns the MainPower Trust?
A Trust is a special organisation established to hold trust assets on behalf of the beneficiaries. MainPower's Qualifying Customers, as defined in the Trust Deed are beneficiaries. The communities of North Canterbury and Kaikoura are also beneficiaries of the MainPower Trust.

Who controls the Trust?
There are seven Trustees on the MainPower Trust. All Trustees are Qualifying Customers and are elected by way of Trust elections which are held every three years. All Qualifying Customers are entitled to vote. The next elections will be held in 2014.

What else does the Trust do on behalf of its beneficiaries?
The Trustees appoint the directors of MainPower and annually review the MainPower Directors' Statement of Corporate Intent. The Trustees also undertake an Ownership Review of the Trust Fund at least once every six years.

Can the Trust influence the direction of MainPower?
Yes, the Trustees and MainPower Directors together agree the Directors' Statement of Corporate Intent which sets out the Board's intentions and objectives.

How do I contact the MainPower Trust?

All correspondence to the MainPower Trust should be directed to the Trust Secretary:

Kathy Hansell

Koller & Hassall Limited

P O Box84

Rangiora 7440

Telephone 03 313 8103

Email Kathy@kollerhassall.co.nz

Does the MainPower Trust provide sponsorship?

No, the MainPower Trust does not provide sponsorship.  The Sponsorship Strategy for MainPower is managed by the Community Relations Manager, MainPower New Zealand Limited. 

How big is MainPower Electricity Network?
MainPower's network extends over North Canterbury and Kaikoura and supplies electricity to around 33,200 customers. This covers an area of approximately 40,000 square kilometres requiring 4500 kilometres of lines.

Does MainPower sell electricity?
No, MainPower does not sell electricity. MainPower owns and operates the electricity network in the region and makes this network available to all electricity retailers for the conveyance of electricity.