Community Grants & Bursaries

Helping fund energy related community, sporting, educational, cultural and health projects in the Manawatu and Tararua regions.

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Current Application Round Closed

Photo courtesy of PNCC

Photo - William White, Unsplash

Community Grants

The Central Energy Trust provides grants to community, sporting, educational, cultural and health organisations within the Manawatu/Tararua regions for projects which are energy-related and which will benefit the consumer's of the former CentralPower/ElectroPower energy companies.

May 2026 Funding Round

$1,435,585

Funds Approved

37

Organisations

$38,800

Average Value
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Bursaries

For the 2020 year 16 students were awarded Central Energy Trust Bursaries.

Applications for students entering in their first year of study in 2021 will open late September 2020.

The recipient of "The Central Energy Trust 2020 Supreme Award" was Olivia Brookie. Olivia attended Cornerstone Christian School and is now studying towards a Bachelor of Chemical/Bioprocess Engineering. The Supreme Award totals $15,000, $5,000 per year over a period of three years.

Congratulations Olivia!!!
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Bursaries


Applications for our 2026 Vocational and Academic Bursaries have now closed, applications for the next round will open in June 2026.


For more information please click here.


Congratulations to the 22 applicants awarded a Central Energy Trust Academic or Vocational Bursary, commencing their studies in 2026. The Trustees had a difficult job in deciding this year’s recipients due to the high number and high quality of the applications.

 

The Trustees wish you all the very best for your studies.

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About the Central
Energy Trust

The Central Energy Trust was created on the establishment of CentralPower Limited in 1993. Originally its only substantial asset was a shareholding in CentralPower Limited. In 2001 the Trust realised its interest in the company when Powerco merged with CentralPower Limited, and became the controlling entity. The capital fund arising from the sell down has been invested in fixed interest securities and equities, and the resultant income is available for distribution.

The Trustees have the discretion to consider the allocation of funds for projects which are energy related and which will benefit the consumers' of the former CentralPower / ElectroPower energy companies (see map).
2024 Financial Statements

Trustees

The Trust currently has six Trustees to govern the activities of the Trust.


The Trustees are responsible for recommending and implementing policies relating to:

 

  • The distribution of income to appropriate consumer beneficiaries in the Manawatu and Tararua region;
  • The management of Trust investment funds;
  • Other administrative matters required under the Deed of Trust.

 

The Trustees are appointed by an independent appointment panel after public advertisements have requested expressions of interest from the public.


Under the Deed of Trust, the Trustees are appointed for a three year term every three years on 1 October. Two of the Trustees shall retire by rotation on each Appointment Date. The Trustees may seek re-appointment for a further term of three years and may at the expiration of that term again seek re-appointment for a further term of three years.

The next Trustee appointment date is scheduled for 1 October 2024.


Current Trustees

Mrs. Margaret Kouvelis (Chairperson)

Mr. Liam Greer (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr. Murray Georgel

Mrs. Christine Jones

Mr. Mark Cleaver

Mr. Craig Nash



Secretary - Mrs Billie Stanley


Back row: Murray Georgel, Liam Greer, Craig Nash
Front row: Margaret Kouvelis, Christine Jones and Mark Cleaver