Powerco's super hero, Sparky, is about to bolster his fan base.

The life-sized cartoon character is headed for Otumoetai Primary School in Tauranga on 1 July to continue his campaign of safety around electricity and gas networks.

Sparky was launched by Powerco in Taranaki in mid 2014 and was an instant hit with pupils at the 27 schools he visited. This year he has so far spread his safety message at 14 Tauranga schools and after the Otumoetai stopover will have talked to more than 12,000 children.

The character is based on a video produced by Powerco as part of its public safety campaign.

Sparky and his Powerco helpers take to the stage at school assemblies to show children what to do if they see dangerous sections of network or accidently kick a ball into a substation.

Powerco Group Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager Fiona Ewing says the initiative targeted children aged between 5-10.

'Sparky helps us spread our safety messages in a fun, interactive way. Children have taken quite a shine to him.

'The character is becoming a local celebrity in his own right, featuring in movie advertisements and in a book that will be donated to school libraries.”

She says the Sparky show takes around 15 minutes.