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Wattie’s saved $120,000 a year when I completed my first lighting project 11 years ago.
Back then, I was a contractor and calculated they were wasting money and energy on poor lighting decisions, replacing like-for-like, chasing short-term fixes, and missing the real opportunity: smarter lighting that cuts costs, reduces environmental impact, and actually works better.
That was the beginning of Lighter, although I didn’t know it at the time.
This month we celebrated five years of Lighter. A big milestone, and a good moment to pause and reflect on what we’ve built.
I could write a book on the journey to now. And I’m probably no different from most business owners -there’ve been highs, wrong turns, lessons hard-learned, and a few lucky breaks. But we’ve grown. We’ve learnt. And we’ve stayed true to the reason we started.
One standout memory for me was transforming New World Queenstown last year. Steph and Timmy joined me for part of the install, and those lakefront walks in between long nights on the tools really stuck with me. It reminded me why I do what I do - not just for better business outcomes, but for a better future.
We also upgraded Pak'nSave Ormiston in the same fortnight. Two big projects. Two big challenges. Two great outcomes.
Here’s something I’ve learnt that might help you:
Bad lighting is rarely just a lighting problem.
It’s a cost problem. A productivity problem. A sustainability problem.
When lights are mismatched, ageing or failing, your team notices. Your customers notice. And your bottom line definitely feels it.
The quick fix, replacing one light with another, might seem easier. But it rarely solves the real issue. That’s why we take a different approach:
We analyse your power use
Audit what’s already in place
And design lighting plans that fit the space, the people and the purpose
Because lighting isn’t just about visibility, it’s about viability.
So, what's next?
There’s still plenty of work to do. Too many retailers, factories and warehouses are still operating under poor lighting, and paying for it in energy, maintenance and missed potential.
We’re continuing to head further across Aotearoa, helping more businesses cut costs and do better by the planet, one smart lighting plan at a time.
If you’re running a site with outdated lighting, let’s talk.
You could be saving more than you think, and we’ll show you how.
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