24 | KiwiGas T T Karen Phelps Streamlined approach to gas supply “We have an incredibly hard-working and customer-focused team that has helped build KiwiGas into the successful business that it is today and understands the local market.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Locally owned gas supplier KiwiGas is investing in its operations across Canterbury, with new facilities in Hornby and Rangiora to meet growing customer demand. “We’ve outgrown our original site on Shands Road in Hornby and built a new yard at Rangiora about a year ago,” says owner Geoffrey Hampton, who acquired KiwiGas in 2021. “Now we’re completing another facility at Hickory Place in Hornby that will include an office and drive-through service for 9kg bottles.” The new Hornby site will also serve as KiwiGas’s main filling station for 45kg bottles, enhancing its ability to serve customers across Christchurch, Rangiora and Hanmer Springs. KiwiGas supplies liquid petroleum gas (LPG), a mixture containing 45% propane and 51% butane, which is particularly well-suited to South Island conditions, as the butane component helps it burn hotter and remain stable in cooler temperatures. LPG is very low in emissions compared to natural gas. Made up of a large portion of methane, it is cleaner burning than alternatives such as petrol, diesel, wood, coal or fuel oil, making it an environmentally friendly fossil fuel option. According to Geoffrey, what sets KiwiGas apart in the market is its streamlined approach to customer service and local focus. “We have a flat corporate structure and provide a more personalised service,” he says. “If our customers want to speak to someone, they can talk to local people based in Christchurch. We have an incredibly hard-working and customer-focused team that has helped build KiwiGas into the successful business that it is today and understands the local market.” This customer-centric approach has helped KiwiGas establish itself as one of the leading local gas companies in the region, with a focus on customer support, straightforward ordering processes, reliable delivery and transparency. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including residential gas refill at its refilling stations in Hornby and Rangiora, offering refills for 9kg bottles via its drivethrough. Both locations are open six days a week, with the Christchurch station operating from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays. The Rangiora station follows similar hours, opening at 8.30am on weekdays. A unique offering in the region is the 9kg bottle-swap home delivery service that KiwiGas offers, which enables customers to order replacements online without leaving home. KiwiGas also provides commercial gas deliveries to businesses, including restaurants, bars, gyms and agricultural operations, to name but a few. The ordering process has been designed with customer convenience in mind. New customers register online, providing details about access requirements and bottle locations. For new installations at existing properties, KiwiGas will connect the bottles, while at new builds, bottles are left disconnected for gas fitters to connect when testing systems. For customers switching from another supplier, KiwiGas handles the entire process, swapping out old bottles, tagging them and returning them to the previous provider on the customer’s behalf. “We pride ourselves on keeping overheads low, which allows us to offer competitive pricing,” says Geoffrey. “Combined with our local knowledge and personal service, we believe we’re offering Canterbury residents a better alternative for their gas supply needs.” CCC Approved Drainlayers and Civil Contractors
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