AUCKLAND, Today: Billy has launched with a simple goal, helping New Zealanders compare power plans and providers for free to see whether they are actually getting the best deal.
The service arrived in late March, landing at a time when higher energy costs are putting more pressure on households and making every bill feel a bit harder to swallow.
To build awareness, Billy has rolled out a new brand platform and launch campaign, There’s power in checking, encouraging Kiwis to look at their options and take more control of what they spend on energy.
The campaign is built around a familiar reaction. When a big power bill lands, most people start blaming the dryer, dishwasher or heat pump, even though the bigger issue could be the plan itself.
That insight sits at the centre of Billy’s launch AV, which suggests many households may be looking in the wrong place when trying to explain rising costs.
Billy’s wider aim is to give people across Aotearoa a trusted second set of eyes, helping them feel more confident about their energy decisions and potentially find a better deal.
“As a new parent, I see my power bill going round and round in my washing machine everyday. And whilst I can’t control how much food is spilled down my son’s shirt, I do feel relieved knowing I’m getting the best deal for every wash.” – Charlie Godinet, Daylight ECD
Producer and MDS tutor Peter McCully says the aim was to close the gap between training and industry. “Students often work in isolation from real production pressures. Here, they were part of a live project with a director, a deadline, and an expectation that the work would hold up internationally. That shift in context changes the quality of thinking.”
For Maire, the mix of live action and visual effects opened up new creative possibilities. “I’m drawn to stories about people finding their place. The godwit’s journey is extraordinary, but it’s also instinctive.
“There’s something very human in that. We wanted the emotional truth of the performance to sit comfortably alongside the scale of the animation.”
Shot on location in Miranda on the Thames Estuary, Flock also reflects a broader shift in the screen industry, where storytelling, collaboration and adaptability matter just as much as technical skill.
It is a strong example of how education and industry can work together to produce work that feels ambitious, relevant and
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