2026 Dividend Information

Each year, the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust (HBPCT) returns dividend income to eligible power consumers in Hawke’s Bay. This income comes from the Trust’s ownership of Unison Networks Limited, the electricity distribution company that operates the local network.

The 2026 power dividend is $275 per eligible connection.
The Registration Portal opens 15th October 2026

To receive your dividend, you need to be registered with up-to-date details. If you have registered before, you may only need to check your details. If you have not registered before, you will need to register so your payment can be made by direct credit. Register or check your details by 5pm Thursday 17 November 2026 to receive your payment from Tuesday 24 November 2026. Registrations after this date will be processed in later weekly payment runs.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible for the dividend if:

  • your name is on the electricity account for a property connected to Unison’s Hawke’s Bay network
  • you have an ICP number (15 character alpha-numeric reference from your electricity bill)
  • you were connected to the network on or before
    30 September 2026. 

You can receive one payment per connection, up to a maximum of three payments per consumer. 

Eligibility cut-off: You must be connected to Unison’s Hawke’s Bay network on or before 30 September 2026 to be eligible for the 2026 dividend.

What do I need to do?

If you have registered before

If you registered for direct credit last year, you will receive an email from Thursday 15 October with a link to confirm your details.

If your bank account and contact details have not changed, your payment will be made to the same nominated account and no action may be required. However, we encourage you to check your details each year to make sure your payment reaches you. 

  • bank account has changed
  • email address has changed
  • postal address has changed
  • contact details are no longer current. 

Registering for the first time?

If you are an eligible power consumer and have not registered before, you will need to register to receive your dividend.

To register, you will need:

  • your unique 6-digit code (sent to you by HBPCT)
  • your ICP number  (15 character alpha-numeric reference from your electricity bill)
  • your bank account number for direct credit payment 

Please note: Your ICP number is the unique identifier for your electricity connection. You can use the number on your power bill, or you can use the Electricity Authority’s ICP lookup tool. 

Key Dates

Date What’s happening
Thursday 30 July 2026 Annual Public Meeting
Thursday 13 August 2026 2026 dividend announced.
Approximate date.
Wednesday 30 September 2026 Eligibility cut-off date
Thursday 15 October 2026 Registration portal opens and emails begin to be sent to registered power consumers
Thursday 19 November 2026, 5pm Register or check your details by this date to receive payment from the first payment date
Tuesday 24 November 2026 First payments made

Weekly payments will follow for anyone who registers after 19 November. 

Check in with Whānau

We encourage consumers to check in with whānau, friends or neighbours who may need help checking their details, particularly older family members, those less confident online, or anyone who may have recently changed banks or contact details. 

A quick reminder could help someone receive their dividend without delay.

Need help?

For help with registration or payment questions:

Call free on 0800 535 738

Email info@hbpct.co.nz