Duncan Evans (31 May) rightly queries Trustpower's charges. The latest figures available from the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment show Trustpower, for an 8000kWh pa user, to be not only the most expensive electricity supplier in Tauranga but also a whopping 23% dearer than the cheapest (Energy Online).

To compare power charges between regions one good measure is to compare the incumbent's (biggest supplier's) charge with the average of all suppliers. Generally the incumbent is charging around the average or less. In Tauranga the incumbent, Trustpower, is charging a substantial 12% above the average. How do they get away with this? By hiding behind the TECT cheque. The cheque doesn't even come from Trustpower, it is a distribution of some of the dividends TECT receives as a shareholder in Trustpower. Infratil, owns 51% of Trustpower. Should their shareholders also consider their dividends to be an off-set against power charges?

Graham Purches, Trustpower's Spin Doctor (with a major in sophistry) claims that " at any one point in time there's someone who is most expensive and someone who is cheapest". I look forward to him telling us when was the point in time when Trustpower was the cheapest.

For Trustpower to use the TECT cheque as an opportunity to price gouge in Tauranga does them no credit. My challenge to to Trustpower is to be competitive and then the TECT cheque would truly be a bonus. My advice to users, shop around.

Richard Prince, Welcome Bay.