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Christchurch City Council. Municipal Electricity Department. (1903-1989)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1903 - 1989

Parallel Names

  • MED

Biography

In 1903 the Christchurch City Council established a small scale public supply of electricity. In subsequent years other local councils established similar departments. The Electricity Department was reorganised and renamed the Municipal Electricity Department in 1920.

As electricity use increased and customer numbers grew, many of these departments merged until, in 1989, a joint venture between the Christchurch City Council (MED), the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board, Riccarton Electricity and the Port Hills Energy Authority was formed. This joint venture was known as Southpower.

Reflecting its predecessors, Southpower was both a lines company and a retailer of electricity. Following government reform of the sector, in 1998 Southpower sold its electricity retail activities and retained its network activities.

In December 1998 the company was renamed Orion New Zealand Limited.

Orion New Zealand is a community owned entity with two key shareholders - the Christchurch City Council, through its subsidiary Christchurch City Holdings Ltd (89.3%) and the Selwyn District Council (10.7%).

Today Orion continues to focus on providing a secure and reliable electricity distribution network.

Found in 119 Collections and/or Records:

Advertising, 1980 - 1989

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/36
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - Colour print 1980s promotional advertising

Dates: 1980 - 1989
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 5, Framed photographs, staff portraits

Akaroa Powerhouse, 1950 - 1960

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/1
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph -Sepia toned old Akaroa Powerhouse 1950s/1960s

Dates: 1950 - 1960
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 5, Framed photographs, staff portraits

Armagh Street Sub 9 Convertor: Prints, 1929 - 1940

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/1/24
Scope and Contents

Various BW prints Armagh Street sub 9 convertor 1929-1940

Dates: 1929 - 1940
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 1, Company records and photographs

Auckland Gas Mains correspondence, 1908 - 1939

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/1/15
Scope and Contents

Correspondence related to Auckland Gas Mains 1908-1939

Dates: 1908 - 1939
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 1, Company records and photographs

Brochure, 1988

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/3/2
Scope and Contents

Brochure of the Official Opening of Ferrymead Historic Park 24/11/1988

Dates: 1988
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 3, Ferrymead Historic Park opening 24/11/1988

Cabling, Lighting, Staff, photographs, negatives, 1920 - 1960

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/1/5
Scope and Contents

Street lighting, cabling on the causeway to Redcliffs [slides], cabling [negatives] and Staff reunion [photographs], laying cabling on an unidentiifed location [photographs]

Dates: 1920 - 1960
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 1, Company records and photographs

Captain Cook Statue, Lighting, 1934

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/46
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - bw print - Captain Cook statue 1934

Dates: 1934
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 5, Framed photographs, staff portraits

Carpenters Building, 1960

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/2/6 a
Scope and Contents From the Collection: A collection of published and unpublished material relating to the Municipal Electricity Department including photographs of Christchurch and surrounds taken in the course of the business from its formation in 1903. It also includes material from bodies that merged into the department as local body reorganisation, and electricity reform occurred up to the formation of Orion New Zealand.The images document the building of the M.E.D. building in the 1930s, various types of the...
Dates: 1960
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 2, Photographs, Film, Digitised content

Castle Hill, 1984

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/13
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - Colour print Castle Hill 1984 featuring J Devroes, P.Shepard, A Brooks and T Scott

Dates: 1984
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 5, Framed photographs, staff portraits

Castle Hill Substation construction, 1984

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/29
Scope and Contents

Farmed photograph - Colour print Castle Hill substation under construction August 1984

Dates: 1984
Found in: Christchurch City Libraries Archives Collection / Arch 1050, Municipal Electricity Department records / Series 5, Framed photographs, staff portraits

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