Our History

Although we have only been called Marlborough Lines since 1999, our network has provided Marlborough with electricity since 1923, most recently under the name Marlborough Electric and prior to that the Marlborough Electric Power Board. Each change of name reflects a significant change in the nature of our business as a result of Government legislation. The Energy Companies Act 1992 required that the Marlborough Electric Power Board become a commercial power company with a responsibility to operate as a successful business and have regard to the efficient utilisation of energy. We subsequently became Marlborough Electric - one of 35 integrated electricity businesses around New Zealand. At that time we were one of a small number of electricity companies who also operated our own generation business, and we produced some 26% of Marlborough's electricity requirement. Marlborough Lines Ltd was formed following the 1998 Electricity Industry Reform Act. This legislation required that all electricity companies split into either the lines (network) business or the supply business (generating and/or selling electricity) by 1 April 1999. In effect the Act made it unlawful to generate and sell electricity while at the same time being in the business of operating power lines. Although we opposed the Act we were forced to comply. Our generation and retail businesses were sold to TrustPower, and from April 1999 we became Marlborough Lines; focusing on the operation and maintenance of our lines network.

Company Profile Menu         Fast Facts    Where We Fit    Ownership and Management    Environment Policy    Community Sponsorship    Operating Region Map