RDC and TLC deliver solar together

1 October 2025

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) and The Lines Company (TLC) have worked together to deliver a sustainable community housing solar project that benefits local people while supporting the growth of renewable energy.

“Neither organisation could have done this project on their own,” said TLC’s chief executive Mike Fox. “This solar initiative shows what’s possible when organisations with a shared purpose come together.”

The project directly supports the Council’s ambition to shrink its carbon footprint and TLC’s commitment to promoting renewable energy.

“Installing solar panels on our social housing properties is a meaningful step toward our decarbonisation goals and reflects our commitment to kaitiakitanga and environmental stewardship,” said Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton.

The collaboration between TLC and RDC proves that strong local partnerships can deliver results that matter – lower costs for tenants, cleaner energy for our district and real progress toward sustainability.

Solar panels have already been installed on two lots of RDC’s community housing complexes in Taumarunui at Miriama Street and Cherry Grove, with complexes in Taupō Road and Ohakune yet to be done.

TLC brought the know-how and connections from our other solar initiatives in the form of Chris & Co Electrical and Solar, while RDC saw the opportunity to improve their social housing.

Mayor Kirton highlighted that tenants will feel the difference in their weekly power bills, and ratepayers can be confident that this initiative comes at no cost to them.

“It’s a practical win for our social housing tenants and the wider Ruapehu community.”

Brian Portland, who is a tenant at the Miriama Street complex was onboard from the get-go.

“Every dollar saved is a dollar back in my pocket,” said Portland. “The whole process was seamless, from the pre-install contact to installation.”

“At TLC, we stand behind our commitment to building genuine partnerships with stakeholders and making a difference to the people connected to our network. This project ticks both those boxes,” said Fox. “We’re looking forward to more collaboration with RDC.”