Fix and forget with Meridian

FIX AND FORGET

With so much that is uncertain, imagine being able to fix your power costs for the next 5 years. Farmlands and Meridian have put together a deal that will give shareholders the certainty of a 5-year fixed-rate plan. The deal fixes both the energy and network charges components of your bill for 5 years* .

Richard Sandford, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Meridian, and Jess Strange, Chief Customer Officer at Farmlands, answer some questions on the background to the deal.

So how did this deal come about?

Jess: We’re always looking to provide value to our customers. In the annual review of our energy portfolio, we spent some time with customers seeking to understand what they were looking for. The outcome of the research was clear – they wanted certainty. There’s a lot of disruption in the world, our customers are confronted daily with pressures around compliance, supply shortages and environmental concerns. In the energy industry, costs continue to increase, making it hard to budget and there’s a global pandemic on our doorstep! Both Meridian and Farmlands wanted to take some of the pressure of our customers by providing some certainty. One way we can do this is by offering our new 5-year energy plan, this will mean customers can fix their costs. The plan covers both commercial and residential accounts, so whether you are a retired farmer living in town or tallying up the power bill for a dairy shed, you’ll have peace of mind when it comes to your energy pricing. It's also important to mention, that we know that Meridian is a good fit for Farmlands and our customers. We both understand farmers, we’re both building sustainable businesses and our specialist teams take pride in understanding how we can support you better.

How do I qualify?

Jess: The offer is only available to Farmlands’ shareholders when you pay your Meridian Energy bill through your Farmlands Account. You not only get the exclusive 5-year fixed price plan, you get a cherry on top with your Farmlands 2% rebate and additional 2% Meridian Energy Partnership discount. Plus, for all new Meridian customers there is a great joining credit – up to $500 per meter* until the end of June.

Richard, why do you feel the offer is compelling?

Richard: Never before have Meridian offered a 5-year fixed rate plan (which fixes your usage rates for both the electricity you use and the network charges). The certainty that this could provide Agri customers for both their business and residential connections is huge. That coupled with the credit, the simplicity of your Meridian bill coming through your Farmlands Account and all the other benefits, makes this one of the best offers we have in market.

What makes Meridian a good fit for Farmlands’ shareholders?

Richard: We’ve stood side by side with Farmlands for 15 years, it is a partnership built on trust and aligned values. We are completely committed to the agricultural sector, currently supplying power to over 11,000 farms nationwide. Rural communities are also important to us, we love talking with our customers over the kitchen table and we take pride in supporting the industry further through sponsorships, like the NZ Dairy Awards.

How can shareholders be sure the fixed rate stays competitive?

Richard: As we have all learned with recent events, it is difficult to predict the future. There are so many factors impacting pricing, which has been volatile with long dry spells, high demand and low lake levels. However, one thing we can be sure of is that demand will increase as New Zealand and the world moves away from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. Jess: We have ensured the deal’s pricing will remain competitive. We’ve done the research. Just get a quote, test it out. We think we have done the hard yards to get you the best deal for 5 years.

How fixed is fixed? What if I sell my farm?

Richard: This deal may not be for everyone, particularly if you are planning changes in the short term. If that is the case, we have competitive 2 and 3-year plans available. We know personal situations can change so if that happens during the 5-year term, talk with one of the team and we can work through options for you.

Will we see more cooperation between Farmlands and Meridian on sustainability projects?

Jess: Farmlands and Meridian are both passionate about supporting sustainability activity across the rural sector. We have several projects in the pipeline, specifically around carbon offsetting and carbon reduction so watch this space. Meridian will be helping us roll out a network of electric vehicle chargers to Farmlands stores. We are also working together on certifying all our stores as carbon neutral.

To get a quote or find out more, visit farmlands.co.nz/meridian

*Terms and Conditions apply. Visit farmlands.co.nz/ meridian for more details.

Farmlands and Meridian Energy have been working together for 15 years and we are excited to be working with Meridian as our exclusive energy provider. Both Farmlands and Meridian are committed to the rural sector and this exclusive partnership gives us a deeper relationship to be able to support our shareholder’s needs.

We understand there has been a lot of change and uncertainty over the last couple of years, so we have worked together to bring you an exclusive shareholder offer. So, when it comes to your power you can rest easy.