Hon Max Bradford
MP For Rotorua

MEDIA RELEASE

6 August 1999

Bradford Recommends Greypower Investigates Bulk Electricity Option

Rotorua MP Max Bradford today recommended that Greypower members banded together to investigate buying electricity in bulk.

Mr Bradford spoke at a Greypower meeting in Rotorua today about the power reforms and how they were delivering cheap deals to New Zealanders.

"A study compiled by the Ministry of Commerce shows that Rotorua residents who have signed up with First Electric are paying almost 12% less for power than what they paid before the Government's power reforms were announced. This translates to a saving of up to $141 for the average Rotorua household, " Mr Bradford said.

"Throughout the country under the reforms 55 per cent or almost one million electricity consumers are paying or, through switching companies, can pay lower power prices than they were paying a year ago."

"The reforms are about choice as they have opened up new avenues for how consumers buy their electricity.

"There is no reason why Greypower can't look at bulk buying," he said.

Mr Bradford suggested to the President of Rotorua Greypower, Terry Hawkey that Greypower should get its members together and on their behalf negotiate with the power companies for a better deal, like Federated Farmers has done for its members.

Mr Hawkey agreed he would take the idea to the Greypower council meeting next Tuesday.

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