We’re proud to serve our customers and community in central Waitaha Canterbury. Our purpose - powering a cleaner and brighter future with our community - sits at the heart of everything we do, and it’s a key focus of The Orion Group strategy. Through events, partnerships and sponsorships, we’re committed to backing the people, places and initiatives that help our community thrive.
Events
We love getting out and meeting people, and our regional A&P shows are a great place to do just that. Come and have a chat about anything that’s on your mind - whether it’s staying safe around power lines, responsible tree planting and trimming, or safety when moving equipment near overhead lines. It’s a chance to get practical advice, ask questions, and feel confident you’ve got the information you need.
We'd love to connect at:
Ellesmere Show: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Courtenay Show: Saturday, 21 November 2026
Banks Peninsula A&P Show: Saturday, 23 January 2027
Malvern A&P Show: Saturday, March 2027
South Island Agricultural Field Days
We teamed up with our neighbouring electricity distributors, EA Networks, Alpine Energy and MainPower, to exhibit at the South Island Agricultural Field Days in Kirwee in 2025. The theme was ‘Look Up’, encouraging responsible tree planting and trimming, along with safety around overhead lines. The event will return to Kirwee in April 2027.
Annual Connection
Annual Connection is a unique event for cable jointers, line mechanics and industry stakeholders, bringing together both experienced and emerging electrical professionals from across Aotearoa. In October 2025, the annual event was held in Ōtautahi Christchurch for the first time in seven years. We were proud to co‑host alongside Connetics and EA Networks.
Partnerships and sponsorships
Our commitment to our region sees us invest in partnerships and initiatives that focus on achieving positive outcomes for our customers and the wider community. This includes community events, industry collaboration, business partnerships, early career development, and support for customers experiencing hardship.
Community Energy Action
For over 25 years, we've partnered with Community Energy Action(external link) (CEA) to help them provide warmer, healthier and more energy efficient homes for our community.
Our support helps CEA provide insulation and energy advice services to those with the greatest need, as well as operating their valuable curtain bank service.
Business Canterbury
We’re a strategic partner of Business Canterbury(external link) (formerly the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce), the home and voice of Canterbury business.
Business Canterbury is a member-based organisation with the purpose of enabling and supporting a thriving business community across Canterbury. Their mission is to be the best business partner for over 2,800 member businesses and not-for-profit organisations throughout Canterbury.
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury
We have a longstanding relationship with Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury and are pleased to be involved with many initiatives at the university including the below:
Aruhiko Power Engineering Excellence Trust
Aruhiko Power Engineering Excellence Trust(external link) is a unique partnership between the Power Industry and academia and is located in the EPECentre at the University of Canterbury. Its mission is to promote and support the education of power engineers and the study of power engineering as a field of excellence in New Zealand.
UC IEEE Student Branch
IEEE Student Branch(external link) is a dynamic student-led organisation primarily comprising students from Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Canterbury. Membership also includes students from related fields such as Software and Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, and Computer Science. Their mission is to foster personal and professional growth through various activities, including professional development events, networking opportunities, and social gatherings. Striving to bridge the gap between members and the broader Electrical Engineering industry in New Zealand.
Orion Masters Energy Scholarship
The Orion Masters Energy Scholarship(external link) supports study towards a master’s degree at the University of Canterbury by students engaged in research related to the energy field. This scholarship was established in 1994 by Southpower Limited, later to become Orion New Zealand Limited.
Women in Engineering
We support the UC Women in Engineering(external link) society by sponsoring events that connect students with industry and build capability and confidence. The society provides a strong support network for women studying engineering and has grown into one of the university’s largest student clubs, with over 800 members. Women in Engineering hosts a wide range of academic, industry and social events throughout the year and welcomes members of all genders and engineering disciplines.
Rainbow Engineering
UC Rainbow Engineering is a club supporting LGBTQ+ students and allies studying engineering at the University of Canterbury. This partnership supports our focus on diversity and inclusion and helps create a more welcoming engineering community where all students can thrive, connect with industry, and see a place for themselves in the engineering profession.
EVolocity
We’re proud to have been the founding sponsor of EVolocity(external link) back in 2014. Since then, they’ve been supporting rangatahi to build more than electric vehicles - they’re developing the skills, confidence and curiosity to become the next generation of innovators.
As well as being EVolocity’s regional sponsor in Canterbury, we also support its new Solar Innovators Programme in 2026, delivered in partnership with the University of Canterbury. This pioneering pilot is designed to inspire and empower young wāhine to explore opportunities in STEM.
GirlBoss NZ
With Connetics, we are proud to support this kaupapa and recognise amazing young wāhine leading the charge towards a brighter future.
We are a sponsor of the national and Canterbury awards as well as GirlBoss Edge, a mentoring and accelerator programme that spans a range of focus areas, including sustainability and the energy sector.
Mānawatia a Matariki
For the first time in 2026, we are pleased to sponsor Mānawatia a Matariki in Rolleston town centre, taking place from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 June. Celebrating Matariki, the Māori New Year, the event features light installations, kapa haka, live music and storytelling, bringing whānau and friends together to mark the season.
Tātai Whetū, Tātai Tangata
With Connectics, we are proud to be naming sponsors of Tātai Whetū, Tātai Tangata, a celebration of Puanga Matariki in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Previously known as Tīrama Mai, the festival takes place from Wednesday 8 July to Saturday 11 July 2026 and features performances, storytelling, and creative light installations and projections by local artists at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and along Worcester Boulevard.
Selwyn Awards
Held every 2 years the Selwyn Awards(external link) recognise the outstanding work and achievements of businesses, not-for-profit organisations and individuals who live or work within the Selwyn district. We are pleased to supportbysponsoringan award recognising excellence withintheSelwyncommunity.The awards next take place in 2027.
Electricity Engineers Association (EEA)
The Electricity Engineers Association (EEA)(external link) successfully enables the electricity supply industry to provide New Zealand with sustainable, reliable and safe electricity now and into the future. We support the EEA, including sponsorship of its annual conference, which brings the industry together to share knowledge and advance engineering excellence.
Akaroa Art Gallery
The Orion Powerhouse Gallery Akaroa(external link) is a small community gallery that hosts a variety of Exhibitions from October to April each year. We’re pleased to play a small part in supporting the Orion Powerhouse Gallery to enable exhibitions from NZ artists in addition to supporting local and emerging artists.
Win with us
From time to time when we are out in the community or through our social channels we run competitions, the below competition Terms and Conditions cover competitions we run.
Terms and conditions
Entry is free
There is a maximum of one entry per person
Entrants must be over 18 years of age
Entrants must reside within the Orion network area
The Winner will be drawn at random from the entry forms provided or Facebook comments.
Orion’s decision on the Winner is final
The Winner will be contacted using the mobile number provided or by Facebook if this was the method of entry
Employees of Orion New Zealand Limited and their immediate family cannot enter
Competition will be drawn at the time stated by Orion on the entry
Attempts will be made to notify the winner by mobile phone or by Facebook if that was the method of entry. If Orion, having used reasonable efforts, is unable to contact the winner by then the prize is forfeited, and a further draw will be conducted. The judge's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into
The prize is not redeemable for cash
The entrant’s personal data provided will only be used for the purposes of this competition
