Direct credit working: Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust gets 50 per cent buy-in to new system

Trust chairwoman Diana Kirton said she is "over the moon" with the response to the new direct credit system. Photo / File

The Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust (HBPCT) has had a huge response to its new registration system as it heads into its final day.

Trust chairwoman Diana Kirton said she is "over the moon" with the response to the new direct credit system.

"We have had 28,500 people already register of the 56,000 that we normally send cheques out, which has been an amazing response," Kirton said.

"Having over 50 per cent sign up is a great response; my initial target was to get to 60 per cent, which we might still get, but compared to other regions who have done this we have really excelled."

She said eight years ago Auckland made the same transition and found only 12 per cent made the switch.

For Hawke's Bay, most estimated they would get between 20 and 25 per cent sign up.

Kirton hoped the change would prevent the number of cheques that went un-cashed, but reassured people that if they hadn't signed up they would still get the annual cheque in the post.

"We have had a few in the past where people haven't cashed in their cheques so it just stays in the trust fund, which has been a substantial amount, and then they have to pay to have them reissued again."

Those who are still using the cheque system are warned if they end up having to reissue their cheques it will cost a lot more than previous years.

Registration for the direct credit system ends on Friday and those who have signed up will receive direct payment by Monday. Cheques will be sent from Monday onwards.

The opportunity for registration will become available every year for those who have not yet done so.

• To register you can call 0800 535 738 or visit the trust's website.