In our community

Events

We’re proud to be part of the central Waitaha Canterbury community and even prouder to be able to engage and provide support through events and sponsorships.

We love to meet our community.  Being present at our regional A&P shows is just one way we connect.  Come along and talk to us about anything that interests or concerns you. You can also keep up-to-date on everything from how to work safely around power lines, to tree trimming and the types of trees that are safe to plant near lines.

This year we’ve had a great time catching up with our community over summer at the Ellesmere A&P Show, the Courtenay A&P Show, Banks Peninsula A&P Show and the Malvern A&P Show.

Sponsorships

Our commitment to our region sees us invest in a number of community programmes that relate to energy, education, business and sport. 

Akaroa Art Gallery 

The Orion Powerhouse Gallery Akaroa(external link) is a small community gallery that hosts a variety of Exhibitions from October to April each year.  We’re pleased to play a small part in supporting the Orion Powerhouse Gallery to enable exhibitions from NZ artists in addition to supporting local and emerging artists. 

Better City Business

The Christchurch Foundation has established Better City Business(external link) a support programme designed for businesses in our region to help them understand and implement Corporate Social Responsibility.

Business Canterbury

We’re a strategic partner of Business Canterbury(external link) (formerly the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce), the home and voice of Canterbury business. Business Canterbury are a member-based organisation with the purpose of enabling and supporting a thriving business community across Canterbury. Their mission is to be the best business partner for over 2700 member businesses and not-for-profit organisations.

Community Energy Action (CEA)

We’ve worked with Community Energy Action(external link) (CEA) for over 25 years to help them provide warmer, healthier and more energy efficient homes for our community. With a focus on providing insulation and energy advice services to those with the greatest need CEA have now provided their services to over 20,000 homes in our region.

Electricity Engineers Association (EEA)

The Electricity Engineers Association (EEA)(external link) successfully enables the electricity supply industry to provide New Zealand with sustainable, reliable and safe electricity now and into the future. We are a keen sponsor of the Annual Conference and Technology Exhibition, 10-12 September 2024.  The conference them ‘Delivering a Net Zero Carbon Energy Future’ furthers the industries long term commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and allows continued the conversations on working towards this target.

EVolocity

We're proud to have been involved with EVolicity(external link) as a founding sponsor. EVolocity is helping our tamariki to build more than electric vehicles, by building the next generation of innovators, along with the skills they need to make a positive impact on their future, and the world they live in.

GirlBoss NZ

The GirlBoss awards(external link) are an annual nationwide search for trailblazing young women.

Orion and Connetics are proud to support this initiative that recognises amazing young wāhine leading the charge towards a brighter future.

Selwyn Awards

Held every 2 years the Selwyn Awards(external link) recognise the outstanding work and achievements of businesses, not-for-profit organisations and individuals who live or work within the Selwyn district.  Orion is a pleased to be associated with recognising excellence through these awards.

Te Huanui Art Gallery

The Malvern Community Arts Council (MCAC)(external link) is a not-for-profit community group of volunteers that are committed to develop, facilitate, and support arts events and activities in the district so that the community can fully enjoy and participate in the arts locally.  We’re pleased to play a small part in supporting this group.

Tirama Mai – Bringing the Light

Orion and Connetics are proud to be naming sponsors of Tīrama Mai(external link) A light festival for Ōtautahi like no other, the festival celebrates Puanga and Matariki.

We are proud to support Māori arts and celebrate Matariki - New Year.

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury

We have a longstanding relationship with Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury and are pleased to be involved with many initiatives at the university including

Aruhiko Power Engineering Excellence Trust

Aruhiko Power Engineering Excellence Trust(external link) is a unique partnership between the Power Industry and academia and is located in the EPECentre at the University of Canterbury. Its mission is to promote and support the education of power engineers and the study of power engineering as a field of excellence in New Zealand.

UC IEEE Student Branch

IEEE Student Branch(external link) is a dynamic student-led organisation primarily comprising students from Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Canterbury. Membership also includes students from related fields such as Software and Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, and Computer Science. Their mission is to foster personal and professional growth through various activities, including professional development events, networking opportunities, and social gatherings. Striving to bridge the gap between members and the broader Electrical Engineering industry in New Zealand.

Orion Masters Energy Scholarship

The Orion Masters Energy Scholarship(external link) supports study towards a master’s degree at the University of Canterbury by students engaged in research related to the energy field. This scholarship was established in 1994 by Southpower Limited, later to become Orion New Zealand Limited.

Women in Engineering

We’re pleased to offer support to the UC Women in Engineering(external link) society by sponsoring events.  The society is one of the largest and most loved student clubs on campus. Their club is founded on the values of inclusivity and equality and over 25 years of existence has established a community that celebrates and empowers women in engineering. They welcome members of all genders and degrees. Having close to 800 members in 2023, their largest membership base to date. Women in Engineering holds a range of social and industry focused events across the university year.

Win with us

From time to time when we are out in the community or through our social channels we run competitions, the below competition Terms and Conditions cover competitions we run.

Terms and conditions

  • Entry is free
  • There is a maximum of one entry per person
  • Entrants must be over 18 years of age
  • Entrants must reside within the Orion network area
  • The Winner will be drawn at random from the entry forms provided or Facebook comments.
  • Orion’s decision on the Winner is final
  • The Winner will be contacted using the mobile number provided or by Facebook if this was the method of entry
  • Employees of Orion New Zealand Limited and their immediate family cannot enter
  • Competition will be drawn at the time stated by Orion on the entry
  • Attempts will be made to notify the winner by mobile phone or by Facebook if that was the method of entry. If Orion, having used reasonable efforts, is unable to contact the winner by then the prize is forfeited, and a further draw will be conducted. The judge's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into
  • The prize is not redeemable for cash
  • The entrant’s personal data provided will only be used for the purposes of this competition