TECT's little helpers are busy stuffing and folding envelopes with this year's TECT cheques as 56,000 Bay of Plenty residents await an early dose of Christmas cheer.

Next week TECT will pay $26.5million to its customers as part of its annual cheque distribution scheme, stretching from Waihi Beach to Otamarakau.

TrustPower commercial operations general manager Chris O'Hara and TECT chairperson Michael Cooney prepare the 2013 allocation of TECT cheques. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

TECT chairperson Michael Cooney says the million dollar figure will go to the 56,000 TrustPower account holders, receiving a minimum of cheque amount of $400 per household.

'This is made possible by TECT's investment in TrustPower so that TrustPower account holders not only benefit themselves but the wider community by another $8million,” says Michael.

'They are supporting a company which is based in Tauranga and has potentially the biggest wind farm development in Australia.”

The cheques are a direct result of TECT's 33 per cent shareholding in TrustPower. The exact value of each cheque comprises a set, base figure for each consumer, plus a small amount which varies according to each consumer's electricity usage, says Michael.

TECT's current policy is to distribute approximately 80 per cent of its net earnings direct to consumers by way of cheque. Further funds are distributed through grants to local community groups to assist with community projects.

TrustPower commercial operations general manager Chris O'Hara says getting a TECT cheque in the mail each year is a welcome bonus for many Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty residents.

Since being formed in 1994, TECT has distributed more than $195million directly to its consumers with the minimum amount per consumer growing from $20 in 1994 to $400 in 2013.