Meridian To Generate Dollars For Rugby Kids

Media release for immediate use 10 December 2008

Meridian To Generate Dollars For Rugby Kids

10 December 2008 – Rugby kids will be the winners next Saturday when teams compete in the inaugural Meridian Energy Smart Meter Charity Challenge, to be held in Cathedral Square between 10am and 2pm.

“This is going to be a full-on and fun event, and we are inviting everyone to come and watch and cheer the competitors,” says Meridian spokeswoman Claire Shaw.

Two teams will go head to head on exercycles, with the power output from each competitor measured via a specially adapted Meridian Smart Meter (which Meridian has so far installed in more than 82,000 Christchurch homes).

Members of the Crusaders training squad will join the teams made up of Meridian staff members and a team from Les Mills. For every kilowatt-hour generated Meridian will donate $1, which will go to a CRFU fund for young rugby players whose families need help to provide a suitable level of essential training and safety equipment.

Members of the public can also have a go on the ‘exercycles’ – and for each kilowatt-hour they generate they can opt to make a donation to the rugby kids fund, or have a discount on their Meridian power account.

“It’s summer and we are likely to be sweltering in Christchurch but Meridian, as a long-time supporter of grass-roots rugby, is keen to help provide funding to the potential young rugby stars of the future,” says Claire Shaw.

“While junior rugby is not an expensive sport, buying a new pair of boots can be a significant cost and we realise some families may find this a stretch.

“A good pair of boots will of course improve performance, increase confidence and hopefully help these young players score that match-winning try”

EVENT DETAILS

The Smart Meter Charity Challenge will take place on Saturday 13th December in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, from 10am-2pm.

THE MERIDIAN SMART METER PROGRAMME

Meridian’s electronic meters have already been fitted to more than 82,000 Christchurch homes to help residents save on their power bills by providing accurate power readings.

Smart Meters also allow consumers to see exactly how much energy they are using and when, making them more energy-efficient, and because the meters transmit electronically, no meter readers need to call at Smart Meter properties.

Meridian staff will be on-hand at the Smart Meter Charity Challenge to provide more information.

Meridian customers should bring along a recent Meridian bill if they wish to credit their exercycle efforts to their Meridian power bill.

About Meridian

Meridian is New Zealand’s largest state-owned renewable energy generator, operating nine hydro stations in the South Island, New Zealand’s largest wind farm in the North Island, with ambitious plans for future development. The introduction of Smart Meters is further demonstration of the company’s active commitment towards sustainable power generation and supply to a range of residential and commercial customers throughout New Zealand

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