Christchurch City Council. Municipal Electricity Department. (1920-1989)
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:
Christchurch, A City of Light, book launch, 1990
Colour print, four general managers at the launch of Christchurch, a City of Light, the history of the Christchurch MED, April 8, 1990 Left-right, Paul Shelley, 1962-1978, Jack Donald, 1978-1983, Mark Alexander, (author), Hal Mace, 1987-1988, Chris Laurie, 1984-1987, 1988 - as managing director.
Christchurch and Wellington Historical Images: Copy Prints
Christchurch and Wellington historical bw prints ex ATL and CPL
Christchurch Exhibition Building, 1906-11-01
Framed photograph - BW print of Christchurch Exhbition building opened 1st November 1906
Christchurch Exhibition Building, alternative view, 1906-11-01
Framed photograph - BW print of Christchurch Exhbition building opened 1st November 1906
Christchurch Gas Company: Bookmark, 1930
Christchurch Gas Company bookmark promoting Crownall Flueless Gas iron circa 1930
Construction, Cabling, Substations , 1909 - 1960
Construction, Hydro Dam, negatives, 1920 - 1940
MED buildings, construction, marketing, hydro dam construction
Convertors, Cables, Construction, 1918 - 1956
33 black and white photographs including MED substations, convertors, building construction, laying cable in Christchurch, Lake Coleridge plant 1936, Electric Cars 1921, Riverside Lamp in Oxford Terrace 1930. Photographer credit includes Steffano Webb.
Correspondence regarding Akaroa voltage change, 1959, 1930-1962
Correspondence to the Public Works Department [PWD] approx 1930 - 1962 - includes correpsondence regarding Akaroa voltage change from 6600v to 1100v 12th July 1959
Miscellaneous M.E.D photographs 1903- 1981 from a photo albulm titled as such. Includes alphabetical index to photographs and dates
Rehoused from old temp box 2
Crane in Park Terrace/Salisbury Street, 1952
Framed photograph - Bw print 3 tonne mobile crane Park Terrace/Salisbury Street looking south 1952