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:
Municipal Electricity Department: Maps and Plans
Maps and Plans of the Christchurch City Council Electricity Department, from 1920 this became the Municipal Electricity Department. Includes hydrographs of Waimakariri River, Otarama Dam, maps of Selwyn and Malvern County, maps of Canterbury (on cloth, not dated) and flood charts. Also includes some aerial photographs of the Canterbury region.
Municipal Electricity Department records
Municipal Electricity Department: Records
Records of the Christchurch City Council Electricity Department, from 1920 this became the Municipal Electricity Department. Includs contracts issues (1918–1957), committee reports and minutes (1919–1982), newspaper cuttings (1915–1983), reports (1905–1980), annual reports and statement of accounts.
Municipal Electricity Department/ Southpower: Letterbooks
Letterbooks created by the Municipal Electricity Department (MED) and from 1989, Southpower.
Municipal Electricity Department: Subject Files
Subject files from the Municipal Electricity Department (MED) on a variety of subjects including street lighting, lighting of statues and clock towers, rates, substation sites and lighting at the Bridge of Remembrance.
Municipal Electricity Department/Southpower: Minutes
Minutes for the Board of the Municipal Electricity Department 1988 and of the Board of Southpower 1989-1993.
Municipal Officers' Sports Team photos, 1928
2 x bw prints - Christchurch Municipal Officers' Cricket Team 1928 [Coronation Studio], Rugby Team date unknown [Green & Hahn]
Rehoused from old temp box 2
Negatives of MED Building construction
News Clippings Book, 1986 - 1989
MED News Clippings book - 1986 - 1989
News Clippings Book, 1989 - 1994
MED News Clippings book - 1989-1994