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A promotion aimed at getting Ngati Porou people to switch to Contact Energy has fallen well short of its target, with just $11,500 raised to offset the power bills of East Coast marae.
When Nati Power was announced in July, Te Runanga o Ngati Porou and the company were hoping to get 5000 customers from the tribe’s population of around 72,000, which would bring in $250,000 a year.
Toitu Ngati Porou chair Amohaere Houkamau says the relationship with Contact Energy has proven to be a successful model in supporting the aspirations of the iwi.
"We welcome any contribution that supports Ngati Porou marae, and we are pleased with the $11,500 raised. That’s around $230 per marae that marae committees can use to offset their day to day running costs. It’s a small start, but it’s a move in the right direction."
She says the tribe is looking for other ways to demonstrate its people power,
"The cash is just one benefit to be derived from the use of collective leverage. We now want to apply this model to achieving a range of competitive quality products and services that provide mutually beneficial outcomes for our whanau, marae and business partners."
"This model is already being applied in the area of marae insurance where we have been able to achieve competitive insurance products and services with Aon insurance, which works for our marae, whanau and Aon."
The runanga and Contact will evaluate the Nati Power pilot before deciding whether it should be expanded.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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