Latest news with #SafeSparks
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Unison Group Launches First Group-Wide Sustainability Report
Unison Group has released its first Sustainability Report – a foundational document that brings together the collective efforts and aspirations of its specialist electricity businesses to support a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future. Titled Our Commitment to a Sustainable Energy Future, the document outlines the Group's shared direction, sustainability principles, and priority areas – spanning people, community, environmental impact, and network resilience. It also signals a new phase of alignment across the Unison Group to accelerate progress and increase impact. 'This report is an important first step in uniting the work already underway across the Group – from manufacturing and consulting to infrastructure and operations,' said Jaun Park, Unison Group Chief Executive. 'It reflects a clear and collective intention to operate more sustainably, transparently and collaboratively – and to help power a better future for the communities we serve.' As energy makes up nearly 40% of Aotearoa's total greenhouse gas emissions, the transition to a low-emissions economy relies heavily on electrification. Unison Group plays a critical role in enabling that shift – supporting renewable integration, energy efficiency, and resilience across its networks and operations. 'Electricity is central to building a low carbon future,' said Jaclyn Hankin, Group General Manager Strategy and Sustainability. 'As a consumer owned organisation we recognise we have a responsibility, and opportunity to shape a sustainable energy future.' · 543kg of SF gas reclaimed – avoiding 12,760 tonnes CO-e emissions through PBA's SF monitoring and leak detection services (PBA) · 120,000 litres of oil regenerated for new transformer use as part of ETEL's oil recycling initiative (ETEL) · NZ's first 36kV Non-SF switchboard installed (RPS Switchgear) · 9,200 native trees planted in Hawke's Bay through Unison's partnership with Maraetōtara Tree Trust · 276 in-home visits across Unison's network regions in Hawke's Bay, Taupo and Rotorua as part of the EnergyMate programme, helping whānau reduce power bills (Unison-sponsored) · 1,385 children completed Unison's Safe Sparks electricity safety programme in Hawke's Bay, Taupo and Rotorua. Unison started as a small local lines company just over a century ago serving Hawke's Bay. Today it is owned by the Hawkes Bay Power Consumers Trust and comprises a group of complementary businesses operating across electricity networks, high-voltage contracting, transformer and switchgear manufacturing, and specialist consulting – each playing a role in enabling electrification and future-proofing energy infrastructure. This Group-wide Sustainability Report represents the next phase in bringing the companies and their people closer together under a shared purpose. It introduces six principles to guide ongoing activity: Balanced approach, Equality for all, Stakeholder engagement, Design for the future, Success-driven evolution, and Ensuring compliance.
Techday NZ
03-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Unison launches free online Safe Sparks safety lessons for kids
Unison Networks has expanded access to its Safe Sparks electrical safety programme for children by launching an online version, free for families, schools, and community groups across Hawke's Bay, Taupō, and Rotorua. For over two decades, the Safe Sparks Programme has been delivered in classrooms through a combination of indoor and outdoor sessions designed to educate young students about electrical safety. Unison will continue to run these in-person sessions throughout its electricity network regions, but acknowledged that classroom-based visits can only reach a limited number of students each year. The new digital format aims to address this limitation by allowing children to participate wherever and whenever they choose. The programme covers a range of topics, including identifying sources of electricity in the home, understanding how electricity is generated, and developing essential safety skills. It provides practical advice on staying safe around electrical equipment, such as power poles, lines, and distribution boxes in local communities. Rachel Masters, Unison Group General Manager, People, Safety and Culture, commented on the motivation behind extending the initiative online. "Keeping our communities and tamariki safe around electricity is at the heart of everything we do. By taking Safe Sparks digital, we're giving every whānau the opportunity to learn together, whether at home, at after school care, or during the school holidays. It's about building a safer future, one child at a time," Mrs Masters said. The Safe Sparks Digital Programme is designed for children aged 5 to 11 and features interactive elements, including short animated videos, real-life safety guidance, and activities tailored to teach children how electricity works and how to protect themselves, especially in proximity to electricity infrastructure. Since its inception in 2003, the in-person Safe Sparks Programme has reached thousands of students within the company's service areas. The online extension, which was first introduced to schools in 2024, now includes families, holiday programmes, and after-school care providers. In support of the broader community rollout, Unison has introduced spot prizes for participants who complete the online curriculum and submit a short form upon completion. Three participants will receive NZD $100 Prezzy Cards, with entries accepted until the end of October 2025. Rachel Masters encouraged families to utilise the online resource, highlighting its flexibility and accessibility. "It's a great school holiday activity, or something to do on a rainy weekend. The whole programme takes just 15 to 20 minutes, but the learning lasts a lifetime. There's no login required, it's completely free, and families can download a personalised certificate at the end. It's a fun and meaningful activity to do together," Mrs Masters said. Unison is urging parents, caregivers, educators, and community groups to utilise the new online resource and share it widely within their respective networks. The company supplies electricity to over 119,000 customers across Hawke's Bay, Taupō and Rotorua, and the new Safe Sparks Digital Programme represents an additional step in its commitment to public safety and education in the communities it serves.
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Unison Brings Kids' Electrical Safety Education Online: Free For Families Everywhere
Local lines company, Unison Networks (Unison) is raising the bar for electrical safety education by launching its Digital Safe Sparks Programme to families across Hawke's Bay, Taupō and Rotorua, making it easier than ever for children to learn how to stay safe around electricity. For over 20 years, Unison's Safe Sparks Programme has been delivered in schools through a two-part, indoor and outdoor session. While these visits will continue across Unison's electricity network regions, the company recognises it can only reach a limited number of classrooms each year. The new online version removes that barrier, offering any child, anywhere, anytime the chance to take part. The programme covers topics such as identifying electricity in the home, understanding how it is made, and developing practical safety skills. It also includes important information on Unison's electrical equipment in the community, such as power poles, lines and boxes. Unison Group General Manager People, Safety and Culture, Rachel Masters highlighted the importance of extending the programme's reach. 'Keeping our communities and tamariki safe around electricity is at the heart of everything we do. 'By taking Safe Sparks digital, we're giving every whānau the opportunity to learn together, whether at home, at after school care, or during the school holidays. It's about building a safer future, one child at a time,' Mrs Masters said. Designed for children aged 5 to 11, the interactive online experience features short, animated videos, real-life safety tips, and activities that help children understand how electricity works and how to stay safe, especially near Unison's equipment like power poles, lines and boxes. Unison has delivered its In-person Safe Sparks Programme to thousands of students across its electricity network regions since 2003. The digital version, launched to schools in 2024, has now been extended to include families, after school care providers and holiday programmes. To celebrate the community rollout, Unison is offering spot prizes for those who complete the programme and submit the short form at the end. Three lucky participants will win $100 Prezzy Cards, with entries closing on 31 October 2025. 'It's a great school holiday activity, or something to do on a rainy weekend. The whole programme takes just 15 to 20 minutes, but the learning lasts a lifetime. 'There's no login required, it's completely free, and families can download a personalised certificate at the end. It's a fun and meaningful activity to do together,' Mrs Masters said. Unison encourages parents, caregivers, schools, holiday programmes and after school care providers to explore the resource and share it widely. Start the challenge today at:
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Camberley Substation's Boosted Capacity Helps Power Local Growth
Unison - Latest News [Page 1] The substation upgrade is one of four planned for Hawke's Bay under Unison's 10-year Asset Management Plan. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, Unison's Awatoto, Tutira and Esk substations are also lined up for upgrades to improve resilience. More >> Unison's Safe Sparks Goes Digital: Bringing Electricity Safety Education To Schools In A New And Interactive Way Wednesday, 7 February 2024, 9:47 am | Unison Electricity distributor, Unison Networks (Unison) is launching a digital safety education programme to increase awareness of safety around electricity within its communities through a new animated and interactive online programme for schools. ... More >> Tuatahi First Fibre To Acquire Unison Fibre Offering Customers Greater Choice Wednesday, 25 October 2023, 3:35 pm | Unison Tuatahi First Fibre to deliver greater choice and hyper-fast speed to internet users in Hawke's Bay, Taupo, and Rotorua through the purchase of Unison Fibre. Tuatahi First Fibre, the leading central North Island fibre network provider, will expand ... More >> Unison Asks Connected Hawke's Bay Customers To Conserve Power As It Continues Restoration Efforts Thursday, 16 February 2023, 3:07 pm | Unison Unison is asking reconnected customers in Hawke's Bay to conserve power use as it continues restoration efforts. This is due to limited power supply coming into the region from Transpower's damaged Redclyffe substation. Unison has now restored ... More >> Concerted Restoration Progress Sees Most Customers Connected Sunday, 16 April 2017, 6:12 pm | Unison Sunday 16 April 2017, 6pm – Unison crews have restored power to 99 percent of customers who lost electricity following Cyclone Cook. More >> Restoration Progress Sees More Customers Connected Saturday, 15 April 2017, 6:57 pm | Unison Saturday 15 April 2017, 4.55pm – Unison crews have restored power to over 14,000 of the 15,000 customers who lost electricity following Cyclone Cook. More >> Crews Still Making Good Progress Saturday, 15 April 2017, 1:11 pm | Unison Saturday 15 April 2017, 12.27pm – Unison crews have restored power to around 600 customers so far today and expects to restore most customers by 6pm tonight. More >> Unison Crews Out Working to Restore Power Saturday, 15 April 2017, 12:59 pm | Unison Saturday 15 April 2017, 8.57am – Unison crews have been deployed this morning and are making steady progress towards restoring approximately 2,000 customers without power as a result of Cyclone Cook. More >> Unison Delighted Government Backs EV Highway Thursday, 19 January 2017, 1:53 pm | Unison Thursday 19 January, 2017 – Unison Group Chief Executive, Ken Sutherland, said the company is thrilled its project to create an EV highway between Taupo and Napier has been conditionally approved for funding from the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable ... More >> Unison Wins National Line Mechanic Competition Tuesday, 25 October 2016, 1:37 pm | Unison Tuesday 25 October 2016 - Unison's Line Mechanics have been judged the best in the country yet again, with the Hawke's Bay team winning the national title for the second year in a row at the Connexis Line Mechanic Competition. More >> Police and UnisonFibre Initiative Monday, 10 October 2016, 10:29 am | Unison Monday 10 October 2016 - Six Maraenui primary schools will take to the basketball court this Friday, as part of an ongoing initiative supported by UnisonFibre and local Police. More >> Rotorua's First EV Fast Charger Kept Busy by EV Drivers Monday, 3 October 2016, 1:57 pm | Unison The rEVolution is Here: Rotorua's First EV Fast Charger Kept Busy by EV Drivers More >> Customers Reconnected to Network Supply Wednesday, 31 August 2016, 2:48 pm | Unison Unison Networks today advised a large number of customers who had been relying on generated power had now been reconnected to usual network supply, following the worst storm-related damage the lines company had seen in over a decade. More >> Power Restored for Nearly All Rural Hawke's Bay Sunday, 14 August 2016, 10:36 pm | Unison Power Restored for Nearly All Rural Hawke's Bay Customers in Time for the Weekend More >> Rural Hawke's Bay - most will have power restored today Thursday, 11 August 2016, 2:11 pm | Unison Unison Networks has advised restoring power to customers in rural parts of Hawke's Bay was making good progress, with most expected to be restored to the distribution network by this evening. More >> Taupo Plains – Unison Bringing in Generators Wednesday, 10 August 2016, 11:13 am | Unison Unison Networks today advised it is bringing in generators to help those customers who potentially face no power from the network for a couple of weeks, while Unison repairs the network. More >> Taupo Plains - Power could be out for few weeks Wednesday, 10 August 2016, 8:12 am | Unison Unison Networks' has advised that some customers in the Taupo Plains could be without power for a few weeks, and therefore the Company was looking at alternative solutions. More >> Power Restored for Some Rural Hawkes Bay Customers Tuesday, 9 August 2016, 10:52 am | Unison Power has been restored to about 70 customers in parts of Rural Hawke's Bay, Unison Networks has this morning advised. More >>
