Welcoming Aurora Energy to Light Up Winter Cromwell 2025

We’re excited to announce that Aurora Energy has come on board as a sponsor for Light Up Winter Cromwell 2025 – joining us in lighting up the heart of our community on Saturday 2 August.

As the electricity distributor for much of Otago, Aurora Energy is well known for powering homes and businesses – but their commitment to local communities goes well beyond the lines and poles. We’re proud to partner with an organisation that shares our values of connection, resilience, and celebration during the cooler, darker months.

Their support helps us continue delivering a free, family-friendly evening filled with glowing hats, local talent, food, music, and of course – the breathtaking lantern release finale.

We recently sat down with Mark Pratt, General Manager Customer and Commercial Services at Aurora Energy, to learn more about what drew them to Light Up Winter Cromwell and why community connection matters so much to their team.

Q&A with Mark Pratt – Aurora Energy

What inspired Aurora Energy to come on board as a sponsor for Light Up Winter Cromwell this year? 

"We’re proud to support initiatives that bring people together and strengthen local connections. Light Up Winter Cromwell is a well-organised, inclusive event that reflects the values we stand for – community, collaboration, and resilience. It’s a great opportunity to contribute to something that brings people out during the colder months and has a positive impact on the Cromwell community."

What does community connection mean to Aurora Energy? 

"We have a strong community relations programme across our Otago network. For us, community connection means being actively involved in the places we serve – not just delivering electricity, but helping build strong, thriving communities. Events like Light Up Winter create opportunities for people to come together and celebrate local creativity and shared experiences."

What part of the event are you most excited about? 

"As this is our first time supporting Light Up Winter Cromwell, we’re really excited to experience it all – the Light Up Your Hat competition, the entertainment, the atmosphere, and of course, the lantern release! It’s such a great showcase of community spirit and involvement."

How does sponsoring Light Up Winter align with Aurora Energy’s broader goals? 

"Our mission is to enable the energy future of our communities. Supporting Light Up Winter aligns with our commitment to being a proactive and engaged partner in the regions we serve. It’s about more than electricity – it’s about being part of what makes our towns and people thrive."

What other community initiatives is Aurora Energy involved in? 

"We’ve developed a sponsorship programme to support meaningful events and projects across our network. Recently, we’ve supported Electrify Queenstown, the Aurora Energy Otago Science & Technology Fair (now in its 21st year), and The Central App’s Light Up Central Christmas Lights Trail. We also help with grassroots projects – like new pump tracks in Alexandra and Roxburgh, upgrades to the Ettrick and Lowburn halls, and exhibitions for the Glenorchy Museum."

Why is supporting regional communities like Cromwell important to Aurora Energy? 

"We’re closely connected to the people and places on our network. While our main job is to deliver safe, reliable power, we also want to play an active role in supporting the wellbeing of the communities that rely on us every day. Cromwell is no exception."

Any final words to the Cromwell community? 

"We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone come together for this year’s event. It’s a great reminder of the importance of community, especially in winter. A big thank you to the organisers and volunteers – we’re proud to be part of it, and we hope it’s a fantastic evening for all involved."

On behalf of the Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group, we’re grateful to have Aurora Energy join us as we prepare for another sparkling winter night.

Get ready to Light Up Winter on Saturday 2 August!