Biodiversity funding

MainPower has teamed up with the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust to deliver the Waimakariri Biodiversity Fund.

This is a brand new contestable fund, offering up to $10,000 to support local projects that enhance biodiversity in the Waimakariri region.

We’re here to help. Get in touch if you need help. Or, check out our FAQs.

MainPower Waimakariri Biodiversity Fund

Do you need funding for a biodiversity enhancement project in the Waimakariri? This fund is available to support local biodiversity initiatives. Complete the online form below, or download the interactive pdf, complete it, and email it to office@wbt.org.nz before 5:00 p.m., Friday 16 May.

If you have any questions about the fund, please contact Kate O’Brien at the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust by email office@wbt.org.nz.

Applications open Monday 14 April and will close on Friday 16 May. Please read the Notes for applicants before beginning your application.

You can find out more about the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust at www.wbt.org.nz.

MainPower Hurunui Natural Environment Fund

MainPower works with the Hurunui District Council to deliver
the MainPower Hurunui Natural Environment Fund. The $10,000 fund is designed to encourage and assist voluntary work that benefits the natural environment in the Hurunui, with a focus on work that protects, restores, or reinstates indigenous biodiversity in our district.

Applications open on Monday 14 April 2025. 

To can find out more about the fund please visit the Hurunui District Council website.

Current funding projects

Read more below about the current MainPower funding projects.

Title for project

In conjunction with sponsorship partner the North Canterbury Sport & Recreation Trust, the MainPower North Canterbury Sports Awards celebrate the region’s best sporting talent. Over 300 guests attend the gala dinner with winners announced in 16 categories, covering all aspects of sport from players to administrators and long term service awards at all levels from grass roots to success at an international level. The MainPower Youth Sports Scholarships are also announced at the event.

Title for project

MainPower provides funding support to enable sport coaching sessions in 42 primary schools throughout North Canterbury, in conjunction with its partner the North Canterbury Sport & Recreation Trust. The programme’s lessons teach fundamental skills through to more sport specific skills, depending on the needs and interest of the school and their students. The programme ignites interest and links to local sports clubs and organisations and provides an opportunity for relationship building, teamwork and personal development in a physical setting.

Title for project

MainPower seeks to ensure that all primary school children in the region have the opportunity to learn to swim and achieve water safety skills that will equip them with the knowledge of how to survive in the water. Through a partnership with the North Canterbury Sport & Recreation Trust, Kiwi Sport, Southern Trust and the Waimakariri District Council, the MainPower WaiSwim Programme delivers swimming lessons 40 regional schools each year.

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Want to learn more about MainPower

MainPower has been distributing electricity to the North Canterbury region for around 100 years.

Important notifications

Hot water load testing under way ahead of winter

Until mid‑April, we’re working closely with retailers to carry out hot water load testing as we prepare our network for the coming winter season.

These tests run for a couple of hours each day, Monday to Friday, with no testing taking place over weekends. Because each test window is relatively short, customers are unlikely to notice any changes to their hot water supply.

The purpose of this work is to help us better understand how much controllable load is available during the summer months. Gaining accurate insights now means we can model customer savings more effectively by reducing system load at peak times. It also helps us assess whether this load flexibility could assist Transpower in deferring an upcoming local transmission upgrade.

This testing is an important part of ensuring a resilient, efficient network that supports our community.

MainPower Trust elections

Voting is open for the 2026 MainPower Trust election.

Voting packs have been emailed or posted by Electionz.com to everyone who pays a power bill on the MainPower network. You need to have the unique ID provided to cast your vote.

If you haven’t received a voting pack, or can’t find it, you can get a replacement by contacting iro@electionz.com.  For full details of the candidates, visit mainpowertrust.co.nz/trustee-elections/

Make the most of this opportunity to have your say on the future of MainPower – and your community.

Voting closes midday Friday 6 March 2026. 

Privacy Policy

Is your outage not listed?

Troubleshoot your outage
Treat all lines as live during the outage period; power may be restored at any time. If you require further information, please call MainPower’s 24-hour faults line. To report an emergency, call 111.

Outage notifications

Hot water load testing under way ahead of winter

Until mid‑April, we’re working closely with retailers to carry out hot water load testing as we prepare our network for the coming winter season.

These tests run for a couple of hours each day, Monday to Friday, with no testing taking place over weekends. Because each test window is relatively short, customers are unlikely to notice any changes to their hot water supply.

The purpose of this work is to help us better understand how much controllable load is available during the summer months. Gaining accurate insights now means we can model customer savings more effectively by reducing system load at peak times. It also helps us assess whether this load flexibility could assist Transpower in deferring an upcoming local transmission upgrade.

This testing is an important part of ensuring a resilient, efficient network that supports our community.

MainPower Trust elections

Voting is open for the 2026 MainPower Trust election.

Voting packs have been emailed or posted by Electionz.com to everyone who pays a power bill on the MainPower network. You need to have the unique ID provided to cast your vote.

If you haven’t received a voting pack, or can’t find it, you can get a replacement by contacting iro@electionz.com.  For full details of the candidates, visit mainpowertrust.co.nz/trustee-elections/

Make the most of this opportunity to have your say on the future of MainPower – and your community.

Voting closes midday Friday 6 March 2026. 

Privacy Policy

Is your outage not listed?

Troubleshoot your outage
Treat all lines as live during the outage period; power may be restored at any time. If you require further information, please call MainPower’s 24-hour faults line. To report an emergency, call 111.

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