using the provisions of the electric power boards act of 1918 proposals were put to create a power board to supply the rural areas of the bay of plenty. as a result, the tauranga electric power board was established and held its first meeting in 13 september 1923. the following year a poll of ratepayers in the board's area which covered 667 square miles (1,753 km2), including the towns of katikati, mt maunganui and te puke the board raised a loan of £110,000 to construct its distribution system. rather than build its own power stations the board arranged to obtain its electricity from the electricity department of the tauranga borough council.