AWARDS FINALIST: ERANZ – EnergyMate

EnergyMate is a free energy coaching programme that is centred on strong, local relationships with community providers that include kaupapa Māori and Pasifika-led organisations.

The programme’s goal is to enable whānau to get the most out of their electricity. It is available through in-home energy coaching, community workshops, a remote phone/video call-based service, and through digital channels.

ERANZ’s objective in partnering with these community organisations is to build trust and create long-term, holistic benefit for clients, coaches, and their communities.

Model

EnergyMate is about utilising resources that ERANZ and partners have, to address energy hardship directly through organisations working on the ground. It provides the tools and training, but they are the ones empowered – and paid – to deliver the services.

It recognises that local, community-based organisations know their people and the needs of their community best.

Those providers have proved highly effective at building the type of trust required to support clients and create long-term outcomes.

An independent evaluation of the programme, covering 2019-2022, found that 82 per cent of EnergyMate clients identify as Māori or Pasifika. About 70 per cent of clients received WINZ entitlements and 24 per cent had experienced power debt – averaging $873 – prior to receiving support.

EnergyMate is funded by the electricity industry – retailers and lines companies – and government, and is delivered by trusted financial mentors who are formally trained as energy coaches.

Many of the homes that EnergyMate has engaged with are poor quality and difficult to heat. Energy coaches are equipped to provide independent advice and support and target the service to best meet the needs of each whānau. The energy coaches connect the clients with their electricity retailer to ensure they are on the best plan and payment options. They also refer clients to curtain banks, healthy homes services or budgeting when they need extra support. 

Growth

EnergyMate works alongside any whānau experiencing energy hardship, no matter who supplies their power.

This has been an important factor in bringing the industry together around the issue of energy hardship and this is reflected in the programme’s growth and its recent expansion into 18 locations across Aotearoa, from Te Kao in the far north to Alexandra.

New coaching teams are up and running in places such as Hastings, where the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle has made hardship even more prominent.

Outcomes

An independent evaluation of EnergyMate shows the programme has clear, ongoing benefit to clients, putting them in a better position over the long term. Two-thirds of respondents saw a change to their power bill after a coaching visit. For clients with debt to their retailer, 12 months after an EnergyMate visit there was a reduction on the average monthly debt of $26, or 33 per cent.

In addition, 91 per cent of participants reported having a better understanding of home energy and electricity, and the same percentage had completed energy efficiency actions recommended by their energy coach.

By directly engaging Māori, Pacific and community organisations, ERANZ is not only resourcing the programme with equity in mind, but is also working to provide social and economic benefits in communities at a time when community-level action is more important than ever.

The Social Procurement Award category is sponsored by BlueFloat Energy.