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Christchurch City Council. Municipal Electricity Department. (1920-1989)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1920 - 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 restructured in 1920 and was renamed the Municipal Electricity Department in 1922.The Municipal Electricity Department took over the responsibility for the distribution of electricity to Waimairi County in 1946.

On 1 February 1989, the new company, Southpower, was officially formed by the amalgamation of the Christchurch Municipal Electricity Board and the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board. With the addition of the Port Hills Energy Authority and then Riccarton Electricity in November, it became the second largest supply authority for electricity in New Zealand.

Southpower was both a lines company and a retailer of electricity. Following government reform of the sector, in 1998 Southpower sold its 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%).

Found in 124 Collections and/or Records:

Cathedral Square, Christchurch, 1938

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/12
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - BW print of Cathedral Square September 1938

Dates: 1938

CCC Electrical Supply and Loan Empowering Acts, 1902 - 1929

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/1/19
Scope and Contents

CCC Electrical Supply and Loan Empowering Acts 1902-1929

Dates: 1902 - 1929

Central Canterbury Electric Power Board exterior, 1970 - 1980

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

Framed photograph - Sepia toned photograph of the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board building exterior

Dates: 1970 - 1980

Central Electric Power Board Members, Portraits, 1982 - 1983

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/39
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - Colour print - Central Canterbury Elecric Power Board members portraits 1982-1983

Dates: 1982 - 1983

Central Electric Power Board Members, Portraits, 1980 - 1982

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/41
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - Colour print - Central Elecricity Power Board portraits 1980-1982

Dates: 1980 - 1982

Central Electric Power Board Members, Portraits, 1983 - 1986

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/42
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - Colour print - Central Elecricity Power Board portraits 1983-1986

Dates: 1983 - 1986

Central Electric Power Board Members, Portraits, 1977 - 1980

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/43
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - Colour print - Central Elecricity Power Board portraits 1977- 1980

Dates: 1977 - 1980

Central Electric Power Board Members, Portraits, 1986 - 1993

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/48
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - Colour print - Central Elecricity Power Board portraits 1986-1993

Dates: 1986 - 1993

Central Electric Power Board Members, Portraits, 1974 - 1977

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/49
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - Colour print - Central Elecricity Power Board portraits 1974-1977

Dates: 1974 - 1977