THURSDAY MAY 14, 2026
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King Country News | 1
MAY 14, 2026
Lightening the load
More than 2100 lightbulbs have already been handed out in Te Kūiti as part of Genesis Energy’s push to turn the town into New Zealand’s first fully LED-lit community. Launched at the Great NZ Muster in April, the ‘Great Lightbulb Switch’ campaign is designed to raise awareness and encourage households to replace old incandescent and halogen bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting ahead of winter. A total of 2142 bulbs were given away during the event – and more than seven in 10 recipients were Te Kūiti residents. Genesis says the initiative aims to help households reduce power costs, while lowering demand on the national electricity grid, and hopes the project could become a model for other communities if successful. Chief revenue officer Stephen EnglandHall said many households were still using outdated lighting – even though LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy.
“LED bulbs can make a real difference to power bills at a time when costs are rising for households,” he said. Switching a home from old to new energy efficient bulbs can save hundreds of dollars. LED bulbs also have a significantly longer lifespan than traditional lighting, lasting an average of 54,000 hours. Genesis is now preparing the next phase of the campaign, including supermarket ‘swap’ activations and a community-wide mail drop to encourage more residents to make the switch. The campaign will culminate in a planned ‘Lights On’ celebration in June, recognising the town’s progress toward the full LED adoption. Genesis is working alongside local partners including The Lines Company, Waitomo District Council and Maru Energy Trust to support the rollout. Free bulbs are still available for collection through the working week at the Waitomo District Council Customer Services and Visitor Hub on Rora Street in Te Kūiti.
The give away was popular during the muster in April.
Exhibitors at the third Waipā Home and Leisure Show have pulled out the stops to recognise shoppers are counting their pennies. The show, run by publishers of The News, Good Local Media, has drawn a full complement of 71 exhibitors for the threeday event starting tomorrow (Friday) at Karapiro’s Mighty River Domain. “ We have lots of new exhibitors and exhibitors returning for their second or third show –exhibitors recognise the market is tight,” Good Local advertising manager Janine Davy said. “They have worked hard to make this show one where there thousands of dollars worth of prizes to be
won, giveaways and great deals.” Entry is $5 - children are free – and so is parking. The show will run from 10am to 4pm on Friday and Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sunday. “It’s a great opportunity to come and spend a day looking at what’s new and what’s on offer,” Davy said. Major prizes include a $5000 door prize, a luxury weekend for two sponsored by Te Karaka Lodge and the use of an MG car for a weekend sponsored by Winger Motors Cambridge. Terms and conditions will apply. There is also the chance to win a $5000plus bed courtesy of Beds 4 U and $1000 worth of legal fees from Edmonds Judd
along with many more giveaways and specials. Good Local Media publisher David Mackenzie, who launched the show in 2024 to fill a void in Waipā, said it had been a popular and welcome addition to the calendar. “We knew if we brought a home and leisure show to Waipa the people and exhibitors would come – and now we are looking at our best show yet,” he said. Good Local Media websites - you will find us at cambridgenews.nz, teawamutunews. nz and kingcountrynews.co.nz – has a link to more details about the show including a full list of exhibitors.
By Dan Tasker
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