FAQs

TECT (Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust) have an investment portfolio that includes a  shareholding in Trustpower, and because you buy your power from Trustpower and live in the qualifying area you become a Consumer of TECT. TECT is a separate entity to Trustpower.
Qualifying Area - basically the territories of Tauranga City Council and WBOP District Council. (Formerly supplied electricity by Tauranga Electric Power Board or Tauranga Electricity Ltd).  Only parts of Waihi Beach are eligible - includes Bowentown end to 106 Seaforth Road (104 Seaforth Road is not included in the TECT area)

To be eligible to receive the TECT cheque in 2017, you must meet the following criteria:

 - Be a Trustpower power customer with an active power account in the same name, basically in the Tauranga City or Western Bay of Plenty region, on 1 April 2017 and continuously through to 30 September 2017.

 - If you move properties during the qualifying period there must be less than 30 days between finalising one account and registering with Trustpower into the new property.  See Question 8 for more details.

The money comes from returns on TECT’s investments which include a 26.8% shareholding in Trustpower. TECT’s current policy is to distribute approximately 80 percent of its net earnings after retentions direct to Consumers by way of cheque annually.

No. You have received this cheque because you are a beneficiary of TECT.  See Question 1.

In 2017, each eligible Consumer received a fixed amount between $435 - $585 (depending on which services you receive from Trustpower) plus a small variable portion based on your total spend during the qualifying period.

Fixed Amounts*:
Power account only         $435
Power + Gas                      $485
Power + Internet               $535
Power + Gas + Internet    $585

For the 2017 Distribution, cheques were mailed in November 2017. If you think you are eligible but haven't received a cheque please contact us on (07) 578 5094.

No, only Trustpower power customers living generally in the Tauranga/Western Bay region are eligible to receive the cheque.  Note TECT boundaries for Waihi Beach per Q2 above.

It will depend whether or not you re-connected with Trustpower in your new property (within the TECT area) and the length of time between moving properties. A maximum of 30 days between moves is allowed.

No.  To be eligible to receive the TECT cheque you must have an active power account on 1 April 2017 and continuously through to 30 September 2017, there are no part payments.

You cannot cash the cheque at the bank.

You have 2 options:

1. Use it to pay or part-pay your Trustpower account by forwarding the cheque with the remittance slip on your account to Trustpower (Private Bag 12023, Tauranga Mail Centre 3143).
2. Return the cheque and letter to TECT (PO Box 356, Tauranga / The Hub, 525 Cameron Road, Tauranga) with instructions to either reissue seperate cheques (half each); or reissue the cheque in the name of one account holder. You will need to supply TECT with suitable identification.

We will put a stop payment on the cheque and issue you with a new cheque. Allow at least 3 weeks for reissue.  Please contact us on 07 5785094.

The name(s) on the cheque and the address it has been posted to is the same as it appears in Trustpower’s records.

1. Telephone Trustpower on 0800 87 87 87 to update your details  to ensure future Trustpower accounts and cheques received from TECT are correct; then
2. Return the cheque to TECT (PO Box 356, Tauranga / The Hub, 525 Cameron Road, Tauranga) with instructions requesting us to reissue the cheque in the correct name. You will need to supply TECT with suitable identification.

If you change the name on your power account during the qualifying period you are not eligible for a distribution.  Some exceptions apply, please contact our office on 07 578 5094.

Yes - forward your cheque with the remittance slip on your Trustpower account to Trustpower (Private Bag 12023, Tauranga Mail Centre 3143). The Trustpower office is located in Durham Street, Tauranga.  You CANNOT pay your Trustpower account at the Post Office with the cheque.

The names which appear on the cheque is how it appears on Trustpower’s records.

You have 2 options:

1. Use it to pay or part-pay your Trustpower account; OR
2. Return the cheque and letter to TECT (PO Box 356, Tauranga / The Hub, 525 Cameron Rd, Tauranga) with instructions to reissue the cheque in the name of the surviving spouse or beneficiaries. You will need to provide suitable identification and a copy of the Death Certificate and/or Will.

We encourage you to contact Trustpower on 0800 87 87 87 and change the Trustpower account into your name to ensure future correspondence and distribution cheques from TECT appear in the correct name.

If you have received more than one cheque this is because you have two Trustpower power accounts. Each cheque includes a fixed sum ($440 in 2016) plus a variable portion based on your total spend with Trustpower over the six month qualifying period.  The ICP number for each power connection or property is printed on the letter that the cheque was attached to - use this to match it to the ICP number on your Trustpower bills.

No.  You cannot cash the cheque at the bank – this is for your protection against fraudulent use.

You have 3 options:

1. Bank it in a bank account in the name of the person named on the cheque; OR
2. Use it to pay or part pay your Trustpower account by forwarding the cheque with the remittance slip on your account to Trustpower (Private Bag 12023, Tauranga Mail Centre 3143) ; OR
3. Return your cheque to TECT to use for other community related initiatives and projects. Clearly indicate on envelope “TECT Projects” when returning cheque. A receipt will be issued.

Note: You cannot pay your Trustpower account at the Post Office with the cheque.

The cheque is paid to the person or organisation named on the Trustpower account. This person(s) is liable to pay the bill and are therefore entitled to receive the cheque. 

You need to have registered for broadband (or gas suppy) services by the 31st of July 2017, and have an active account for these services on 30 September 2017 to be elitible for the additional payments.

No.  You will only receive one fixed payment for any type of gas service.  The same applies to the number of internet connections per eligible electricity ICP.

Contact Trustpower for this information – 0800 87 87 87

Unfortunately this facility is not available because of the nature of the data for 56,000 Consumers.

No.  The cheques are all processed in one batch and it's not possible to seperate one out before this process occurs.

No. The cheque distribution is being made from TECT’s capital and therefore is not taxable to you.  It should not be included in your tax return.

Yes.

Cheques paid since November 2010 are a distribution of TECT's capital and therefore is not taxable to you.  You do not need to declare this income and it should not be included in your tax return.

TECT can provide information about previous years' payments to consumers, however a search fee may apply.  Please contact our office (07) 578 5094.

Cheques go stale after 6 months. Return the stale cheque to TECT for reissuing (PO Box 356, Tauranga / The HUB, 525 Cameron Rd, Tauranga), include your current address details.  The Cheque will be reissued in name that appears on the stale cheque, unless suitable identification can be provided re name changes etc.

You have 12 months from the date of distribution to query your eligibility to a cheque.  The distribution date in 2016 was: 7 November 2016.

Refer to the back of the Card and on TECT’s website at www.tect.org.nz/tect-card-discounts for a list of current discounts.  New discounts are negotiated during the year and the website will be updated regularly.