Pulse Energy to match customer contributions dollar for dollar* to fight energy hardship.

We’re delighted to announce that we’re launching a brand new chapter in the Pulse Energy Pay it Forward Programme, our award-winning project that aims to address energy hardship.

We will now match our customers’ contributions to the Pay it Forward Programme, dollar for dollar*, up to a maximum of $100,000. The initiative runs from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Read on to learn more about the new initiative and find out what we’re doing to support vulnerable families across New Zealand.

What is the Pay it Forward Programme?

Energy hardship is an issue that’s close to our hearts. As a community-owned energy company, we know from experience that many households find it difficult to consistently pay their power bills - and we’ve seen the impact that this can have on families.

About one-third of New Zealand households experience one or more energy hardship indicators, which include troubling measures like damp housing, inadequate heating, difficulty paying power bills and more. And almost 8 percent of households (134,000) can’t afford to keep their homes adequately warm, which contributes to unhealthy living conditions and increases the risk of respiratory illness.

In early 2020, we decided to take a more proactive role in combating energy hardship, which culminated in the creation of the Pay it Forward Programme. Under the Pay it Forward Programme, Pulse Energy customers can add a monthly contribution to their power bill, which is added to the Programme fund and used to provide support to customers experiencing energy hardship. Pulse Energy committed to contributing $150,000 in the first 12 months of the Programme.

In year two of the Programme, we introduced additional initiatives where we delivered 50 100% wool blankets, 50 wheat bags and 50 Winter Warmer Packs to customers who we thought could use a helping hand with keeping warm. During winter this year, we have supported over 600 customers by adding a credit onto their account to help towards the cost of their energy bills.

Our new dollar-for-dollar initiative

Since its launch, over 2,300 Pulse Energy customers have collectively contributed a whopping $176,673 to the Pay it Forward Programme. Add in the Pulse Energy contribution of $150,000 and that brings the grand total to $326,673 as of September 2022. With that money, we’ve been able to directly support 3,217 families experiencing energy hardship so far.

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and overwhelmed by the support of our amazing customers. At the same time, we recognise that energy hardship is an ongoing issue - and combating it requires persistent, sustained work.

That’s why we’re now announcing a brand new initiative. We will now match our customers’ contributions to the Pay it Forward Programme, dollar for dollar*, up to a maximum of $100,000. The initiative runs from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.  

This new initiative will enable us to expand our impact and broaden our ability to bring about positive change in our communities. We’re looking forward to working together with our customers to further support those experiencing energy hardship.

Working together to make a difference

To those of you who have contributed to the Pay it Forward Programme, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks. The Programme could not exist without you and it’s thanks to your generosity that we’re able to make a difference for thousands of vulnerable Kiwi families.

If you’re interested in supporting this initiative, please consider becoming a Contributor! You can contribute any amount you wish, with contributions starting from as little as $2 a month. There are no sign-up or cancellation fees, and you can cancel, pause, and change your contribution amount by reaching out to our Customer Care Team. We’d love to have you on board!

*Terms and Conditions Apply.