Gerry Brownlee

By Kate Chapman of NZPA

Wellington, Sept 24 NZPA - First it was Food In a Minute, now there is Energy Spot -- a $4 million campaign to persuade New Zealanders to save energy.

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee launched the campaign at Parliament today.

Energy Spot is a one-minute series of programmes with information and tips for saving energy at home or for businesses.

It will show at 6.50pm Monday, Tuesday and Sunday on TV1, TV2, TV3 and Maori TV.

The first episode will screen on October 4 and the series will run for 12 months.

Mr Brownlee said 96 percent of New Zealand adults would see the show over the year.

"It's never cheap to do television ... but we are getting value for money from it," he said.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) who will run the programme estimates most households could save 10 percent of their power bill with a few simple steps -- that is $200 a year per household, or $320 million nationwide.

A 10 percent decrease in electricity use would equate to a 760,000 tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions a year.

"For a relatively small upfront cost we have the potential to save the home, the workplace and the economy a great deal of money," Mr Brownlee said.

The programmes were about persuading people to change rather than forcing them, he said.

The series is presented by Auckland actor and father-of-three Jared Turner.

He said Energy Spot would provide people with simple tips "which you kind of know but don't really put into practise".

In one of the first episodes Mr Turner asks what an average New Zealand home and a sieve have in common. The answer is holes.

He suggests drawing curtains before it gets dark to trap in warmth and having curtains to the floor.

Mr Brownlee said New Zealand homes spent $3.5 billion a year on electricity and businesses $13.5b.

"There are massive savings to be made from using our energy more efficiently.

"As well as saving money, using our energy more wisely improves the health and comfort of our homes, makes for more competitive businesses, protects our environment and reduces our carbon emissions."

The show was modelled on the Food in a Minute and Life Pharmacy advertising serials.

"The difference is they've all got catchy music behind them, our guys are working on that," Mr Brownlee said.