About Ecobulb
Ecobulb began in 2004 when founders Tom Mackenzie and Dr Chris Mardon set out with
one bold mission: get Ecobulb energy-saving bulbs into 50% of New Zealand homes and
cut the electricity use of an entire city. Within weeks of our first project – with Line Trust
South Canterbury and Foodstuffs – 66% of South Canterbury households bought five or more Ecobulbs.
Lighting up New Zealand
From 2005 to 2009, Ecobulb expanded nationwide through 37 major energy-saving projects
with the Electricity Commission, energy trusts, leading power companies, Foodstuffs
and Shell NZ.
By 2009, 57% of Kiwi homes were using Ecobulbs.
Alongside lighting, we delivered 33,000 home energy assessments, enabling 11,000
households to upgrade insulation, heating and downlights – many supported by EECA
funding.
Taking Ecobulb to the world
Ecobulb’s impact soon went global. We partnered with utilities and retailers across
Australia, Germany, Spain, Ireland and the United States – including Walgreens, where
Ecobulbs were sold in nearly 8,000 stores.
We became New Zealand’s fastest-growing company in 2007 (2,746% growth) and listed
on the NZX in 2011. In 2018, co-founder Dr Chris Mardon relaunched the mission through
Ecobulb Limited.
World-first lighting innovations
Ecobulb developed the world’s first screw-in retrofit LED downlight and one of the most
efficient LED bulbs ever produced, installed in hundreds of thousands of Australian
homes. We also partnered with manufacturers to roll out world-leading commercial
sensor LED fittings across Australia and New Zealand.
In 2018, we again partnered with LineTrust South Canterbury and EECA which resulted
in 73% of South Canterbury households collecting free Ecobulb LEDs in just two days.
Similar results followed in the King Country, Gisborne, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Ashburton,
North Otago and Waipa.
Transforming homes and communities
In 2021, Ecobulb launched the Home Energy Saver Programme with energy trusts, Māori health organisations and MBIE. Since then, we’ve delivered 20 major energy-efficiency projects with government, councils and lines companies across the Far North, Counties, Auckland, Christchurch and more.
Our 148 local assessors have completed 14,000 home energy assessments, saving households $9.4 million every year.
Expanding into hot water and large-scale lighting projects
In 2024 and 2025, Ecobulb entered a new phase of growth. We delivered major commercial LED lighting projects nationwide, helping large businesses and government buildings dramatically cut energy use.
In 2025, we expanded again – this time into the hot water heat pump market through an exclusive partnership with Emerald. Working alongside trusted plumbing partners across New Zealand, we now offer high-efficiency hot water systems that bring the same proven Ecobulb energy-saving impact into Kiwi homes.
Our team
At Ecobulb, our team is driven by a shared mission: to help homes and businesses use energy smarter. From engineers and product innovators to community assessors and project specialists, we bring together decades of experience in energy efficiency, lighting technology and practical problem-solving.
Meet the people who power our impact.
Dr Chris Mardon
Managing Director
Fraser Scott
Strategic Sales Support
Hansen Paule
Senior Project Manager
Marcosa Calderon
Technical Lighting
Services
Bianca Johnson
Marketing Manager
Ramona Salvador
Energy Assessment
Coordinator
Awards
Ecobulb Limited (which listed as Energy Mad on the Main Board of the New Zealand Stock Exchange in October 2011 and delisted in December 2018) has won or being finalists in the following main awards:
2023
Finalist
New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards “Outcomes Award”
2022
Finalist
New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards “Innovation in Energy Award”
2019
Finalist
Deloittes Energy Excellence Awards “Energy Technology of the Year”.
2012
Winner
New Zealand International Business Awards for “Most innovative business model in international business”
2010
Winner
Air NZ Cargo Canterbury Export Awards “Emerging Exporter”.
2008
Winner
Bayer Innovations Award for “Design & Engineering”.
2007
Winner
Deloitte Unlimited Fast 50 “Fastest Growing Company in New Zealand” (12th Fastest Growing Company in
Asia/Pacific).
Price Waterhouse Coopers “New Zealand Hi-Tech Emerging Company”.
Price Waterhouse Coopers “New Zealand Hi-Tech High Growth”.
Sustainable Business Network “Making a Difference” Award.
2006
Winner
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority “Special Award for Energy Efficiency”.
New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards “Sustainability and Clean Technology”.
