29 July 2005
Network Waitaki rated highly by Consumers’ Institute survey
MOST TROUBLE FREE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY • AMONGST QUICKEST AT FIXING PROBLEMS
Oamaru-based Electricity Lines Company Network Waitaki has rated highly in a national Consumers’ Institute survey of
dairy farmers.
The survey found that farmers in the Network Waitaki District were least likely to experience network supply problems
such as power cuts and fluctuations.
Network Waitaki topped the list for having the most trouble free supply with a score of 8.6 out of 10. They were also
rated as being among the quickest at fixing problems in electricity supply.
The survey, conducted earlier this year, asked 8,550 dairy farmers for their views on the quality of service from their
electricity retailers and network companies.
The Consumers’ Institute received replies from over 4000 dairy farmers (a response rate of 53%).
Farmers in the Network Waitaki (south of Waitaki River, Oamaru) and Delta Networks areas (Dunedin and Central Otago) and
were the least likely to experience problems (over 60 percent being problem free in these areas). Least stable areas
were the WEL Network area (26 percent) and the areas owned by Unison (Rotorua, Taupo and Hawkes Bay, 30 percent).
Unison, at 51 percent, was seen as the network least likely to fix problems in a timely manner.
Network Waitaki Chairman Lindsay Malcolm said the survey result was very pleasing to the company and demonstrated that
Network Waitaki was providing sound and consistent customer service.
“Network Waitaki is fundamentally committed to delivering the lowest practical line charges prices and providing the
highest services possible to consumers,” he said.
“Network Waitaki is a community asset – it is locally owned on behalf of the consumers; it provides local jobs and puts
money back into the local economy.”
ENDS