Unison’s Hastings and Napier power consumers to pocket $270 dividend

Unison power consumers in Hawke's Bay will be $270 richer in November after the Hawke's Bay Power Consumers Trust announced its yearly dividend. Photo / NZME

Power consumers connected to the Unison network in Napier and Hastings will receive $270 this year as the annual dividend payment from the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust (HBPCT).

The payment – for the 2024/2025 financial year – was confirmed at the trust’s annual public meeting this week.

The payment is exclusive of imputation credits and limited to a maximum of three payments per consumer.

Trustees are “delighted” with the $17.8 million dividend payment to HBPCT announced by Unison last week, trust chairwoman Kirsten Westwood said.

“After doing our sums and reviewing our financial position, we are pleased to announce that the HBPCT dividend to power consumers is increasing from $260 last year, to $270 this year.

“We hope that the $270 dividend will offer valuable financial support to Hawke’s Bay households, towards the end of the year, especially during these challenging times of rising living costs.“

The payment brings the total direct financial benefit consumers have received from trust ownership since 1999 to over $285 million, Westwood said.

To receive this year’s dividend, power consumers must be connected to the Unison network as of 30 September 2025.

After that date, all qualifying Hawke’s Bay power consumers will receive a unique 6-digit pin number allowing them to check their direct credit registration details, or register for the first time at hbpct.co.nz.

The process will be advertised from October, with the dividend to be paid in late November.