No change for Firstlight Network customers with Powerco purchase

Powerco can confirm it will own Firstlight Network from 31 July 2026, following Overseas Investment Office approval and all other commercial considerations being met. 

While Powerco will own Firstlight Network from 31 July, it will be business as usual for the electricity distribution company that serves the Tairāwhiti and Wairoa districts, Powerco Chief Executive Jason Franklin says. 

“The people of Tairāwhiti and Wairoa regions will continue to be looked after by the team at Firstlight Network, supported by the wider Powerco team. Our immediate focus is continuity and stability for Firstlight Network employees and the communities they serve. 

“During the past nine months, we’ve worked closely with the Firstlight Network team and their current owners, Clarus Group, to ensure a smooth transition and maintain business continuity from day one of Powerco ownership,” Jason Franklin says. 

Nothing will change for Firstlight Network customers on 31 July: 

• Continue to call the 24/7, 0800 206 207 faults line to report outages or receive outage information. 
• Firstlight Network’s website firstlightnetwork.co.nz is still the place to go to find out information about the local electricity network, including planned outages, residential and commercial connections and services such as requesting asset location information, tree-trimming, transporting high load or close approach consents. 
• Horizon Services (formerly called ElectriNet) will continue to respond to customer faults in the Firstlight Network area. 
• No change to the electricity distribution portion of customer power bills. The distribution and transmission lines charges that came into effect on 1 April 2026 will continue. Any new pricing for lines companies, including Firstlight Network and Powerco, is effective from 1 April each year, with the next review being in early 2027. 
• Powerco will continue to support local events, community initiatives, and marae-based engagement, as well as offer the Powerco Community Fund and Replant for Tomorrow Fund to support local and regional priorities.   

Jason Franklin says, over time, Firstlight Network will be integrated with Powerco, however this process will take some months. 

“We're taking a considered approach to integrating the businesses. We'll keep the Tairāwhiti and Wairoa communities fully informed when IT systems enable Firstlight Network to become fully integrated with Powerco systems and what that means for customers and communities.” 

Firstlight Network Manager George Drysdale says Powerco’s purchase represents an opportunity to build on the strengths of the network and continue delivering reliable service to the region.  

“Our commitment has always been to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity for the people of Tairāwhiti and Wairoa. Powerco’s investment and expertise will support that mission, while keeping our strong local presence.  

“Importantly, local people will continue to operate and maintain the network, people who understand our communities and care deeply about the region.”  

Powerco is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest dual electricity and gas distributor by network length, with over a million people (across around 476,000 connections) connected to its networks. Powerco’s electricity network covers Coromandel to South Waikato, western Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Manawatū and Wairarapa. Its gas network covers Taranaki, Horowhenua, Hawke's Bay, Manawatū, Porirua, Hutt Valley, and Wellington.