A simple switch helping Te Kūiti households save this winter.
This content was prepared by Genesis Energy and is being published by The New Zealand Herald as advertorial.
As winter approaches and the cost of energy rises, many New Zealand households are feeling the pinch. But what if one simple switch could make a meaningful difference - not just for individual homes, but for communities across the country?
That’s the idea behind a new initiative we are leading at Genesis which is turning the Waikato town of Te Kūiti into a national test case for smarter, more efficient energy use.
The campaign aims to help Te Kūiti become the first town in New Zealand to reach 100% LED light bulb uptake - a practical, community-led step toward reducing both household power bills and carbon emissions.
The initiative is about demonstrating what’s possible when a community comes together around a simple, achievable action. By replacing outdated incandescent and halogen bulbs with modern LED alternatives, households can significantly reduce the amount of electricity they use - particularly during winter.
At scale, this shift can also help reduce pressure on the electricity grid during peak periods and lower carbon emissions, showing how small changes at home can deliver wider benefits for the community.
LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 50 times longer, with an average lifespan of around 54,000 hours - delivering real savings for households. Replacing fifteen inefficient bulbs with LEDs could save up to $300 each year making it one of the easiest ways to reduce energy costs without changing daily habits.
“This is about helping households take practical steps to reduce their power bills, especially as we head into winter when energy use is higher,” says Genesis Chief Revenue Officer Stephen England-Hall. “Switching to LED lighting is one of the simplest changes people can make, and it can have a real impact.
“We see this as part of a broader effort to lower the total cost of energy for New Zealanders through innovation. By focusing on something as simple as changing bulbs, the initiative shows that meaningful change doesn’t have to be complicated.”
Te Kūiti has been chosen as the starting point for a reason. Known as a town “where legends are made,” it has strong community spirit and a track record of engagement with previous similar energy initiatives. Earlier programmes in the area saw high uptake, making it an ideal place to demonstrate what it takes to achieve full adoption.
The Great NZ Muster on Saturday April 11 will provide a swap station for residents. Regardless of their energy provider, locals can visit our Genesis stall to collect free LED lightbulbs, learn more about how much they could save, and take the first step toward making the switch at home.
It’s a simple action - but one that, when taken collectively, could see Te Kūiti lead the way as New Zealand’s first fully LED lightbulb powered town.
As more households make the switch, the town will be able to demonstrate benefits from lower power bills to reduced energy use.
At a time when many households are looking for practical ways to manage rising costs, Te Kūiti’s effort will show that small changes can make a big difference.