Dates

• Existence: 1998 - Present

Biography

In 1903 the Christchurch City Council established the Municipal Electricity Department (MED) to control a small scale public supply of electricity. As electricity use increased and customer numbers grew, in 1989, a joint venture between the MED, the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board, Riccarton Electricity and the Port Hills Energy Authority was formed called Southpower. Following government reform in 1998 Southpower sold its electricity retail activities and retained its network activities – renamed Orion New Zealand Limited. Orion remains 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%).