Unison is the trading name of Unison Networks Limited, the electricity distribution company owned by the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust (HBPCT) and serving Hawke’s Bay, Taupō and Rotorua in New Zealand. The company’s visual identity is closely tied to its ownership structure and its relationship with the communities it serves.
Design and History
In October 2018, the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust rolled out a new website and logo for itself and for Unison. The new logo featured a handshake symbol, which the trust’s chair, Peter Kirton, said represented the partnership the trust has with the power consumers of Hawke’s Bay, as well as with Unison. The trust owns the Hastings-based electricity distributor Unison Networks Limited, and the rebranding was intended to reflect that relationship. [1]
Unison Networks is part of the Unison Group, which delivers electricity network services across the Hawke’s Bay, Taupō and Rotorua regions. The company has been operating for over 100 years, with the regulated lines company marking 100 years since the establishment of the Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board in June 2024. [2] The Unison Group is owned by the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust. [3]
Meaning and Symbolism
The handshake motif in the 2018 logo was explicitly described by the trust’s chair as representing the partnership between the trust, Unison, and the power consumers of Hawke’s Bay. This documented meaning ties the visual identity directly to the trust’s ownership model and its commitment to the region’s electricity customers. [1]
Unison’s stated vision is to lead a sustainable energy future that supports consumers’ changing energy needs, while enabling communities to prosper for generations to come. The company’s values include Safety & Wellbeing, Excellence, Customer Service, Integrity and Team Work. [4] While these values inform the broader brand, the documented symbolism of the logo itself centers on the handshake and the partnership concept.
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