Transnet NZ provides food supplies for Tonga Power staff at Ha'apai

From left to right: Kalisitiane Tovi, ‘Utoikamanu Tu’ipulotu (TransNet Tonga), John van Brink (Tonga Power CEO), Nikolasi Fonua (Tonga Power Strategic Development Engineer).

Tonga Power received assistance from TransNet New Zealand with a total of NZD $5000 worth of food rations for the staff at Ha’apai on Thursday, 6^th February 2014.

Through the kind generosity of TransNet, this food donation will assist Tonga Power’s 29 staff that are working 12 hours a day to get power back on as quickly as possible to all homes.

Following the recent devastation of Ha'apai's electric power network after cyclone Ian, management and staff at TransNet New Zealand arranged and airfreighted a pallet load of essential food supplies for Tonga Power's staff and staff families on the island of Ha'apai.

Mr Spencer Winn the CEO of TransNet said, “We welcome the opportunity to be able to provide assistance during this very difficult time on the island”.

Since the aftermath, Tonga Power has been looking after the staff in Ha’apai including the linesmen that were sent from Tongatapu with no assistance from other sources. Large amounts of food, water and other items are sent to Ha’apai every fortnight to cater for the daily needs of these staff.

John van Brink, CEO of Tonga Power Ltd said that Tonga Power has committed a large number of staff to Ha’apai for the network rebuild. Almost thirty people have gone from Tongatapu to Ha’apai to work on the reconstruction and these people are accommodated at the Ha’apai office and grounds.  They need food and water on a daily basis to be able to carry out the works on the island. 

He adds, “Tonga Power had agreed with NEMO (National Emergency Management Office) that we would look after ourselves in this regard, but it means quite a lot of food and water to be sent up from Tongatapu”.

 “ This gift of food from TransNet is a welcome blessing and I am sure it will be appreciated by the staff, it not only helps us with the cost of feeding our team, the food sent up will also provide a bit of variety to the team, a change from the bulk foods we provide.  This help is greatly appreciated and is indicative of the close working relationship we have with TransNet in a number of areas.  Their help in sourcing materials at short notice and ability to arrange special freight arrangements have all helped to get power to our Ha’apai customers that much more quickly”, he said.

TransNet is a renowned distributor of a large range of products to the Electrical Distribution, Transmission, Rail, OEM and Wholesale industry with its main office in East Tamaki, Aukland,

New Zealand. 

ENDS

For further information contact:

Jane Guttenbeil
Tonga Power Ltd
P: 21400
E:jguttenbeil@tongapower.to

W.www.tongapower.to