Trustpower now Manawa Energy

The operator of the Piriaka, Kuratau, Wairere and Mokauiti power schemes has received a makeover, with Trustpower changing its name to Manawa Energy.

Locals may notice newly branded vehicles on the roads and new safety signage around the access points to the station.

To mark the launch, Manawa Energy has announced it will support native planting and restoration projects in each of the regions where it operates hydroelectric power stations.

“Manawa Energy owns and operates the most geographically dispersed set of energy assets of any generator in New Zealand,” says general manager of Generation, Stephen Fraser.

“We’re proud to be a part of communities throughout the country — it’s our point of difference and one of our greatest strengths.

“In the ¯King Country we are supporting Owhango Alive’s annual

World Rivers Day planting, happening on Sunday, September 25. O¯ whango Alive is a group of passionate locals who protect native flora and fauna through planting, pest control and raising public awareness of the trials faced by native bird species in the area.

“Volunteers for the Rivers Day planting will meet at the Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve at 10am and begin with a karakia from local hapu¯ Nga¯ti Hikairo. This year the group will be planting along the Ka¯kahi Stream, next to the historic swimming pool in O¯ whango and along the banks of the Whakapapa River.”

The name change follows the sale of the company’s mass market retail business along with the Trustpower brand, which took place on May 1.

With the sale complete, Manawa Energy becomes one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest electricity generators and renewables developers, responsible for around 5 per cent of the country’s renewable electricity generation. The Piriaka Power Scheme has been a part of the King Country community since 1924.

For more information or to join Owhango ¯ Alive please visit owhango. co.nz/owhango-alive or email owhangoalive@yahoo.com.

We’re proud to be a part of communities throughout the country