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:
Mr Kellar, Portrait, 1920 - 1960
Framed MED Staff photograph - BW portrait of Mr Kellar
Mr MacGibbon, Portrait, 1920 - 1960
Framed MED staff photogrph - BW portrait of Mr MacGibbon
Mr M.E Lyons, Portrait, 1920 - 1960
Framed MED staff photograph - Unidentified staff member
Mr Newman, Portrait, 1954 - 1963
Framed photograph - BW print Mr Newman, Chairman MED Board 1954-1963
Mr Shackel, Portrait, 1920 - 1960
Framed MED staff photograph - BW portait of Mr Shackel
Mr Shelley [?], Portrait, 1920 - 1960
Framed MED staff photograph - Unidentified staff member
Mr Taylor, Portrait, 1920 - 1960
Framed MED staff phtograpg - BW portrait of Mr Taylor
Mr Thacker, Mr Amos, Portraits , 1890 - 1944
MED unframed prints including a BW portrait of Mr Thacker, BW portrait of Mr Amos, BW print staff photograph Nov 1944, BW print early Christchurch depicting trams and Mitchell's building and horse and cart
Mr Wilding, Portrait, 1920 - 1960
Framed MED staff photograph - BW portrait of Mr Wilding
Municipal Corporations Act, 1920
Municipal Corporations Act 1920 and amendments