Puau, Pautech, Power Tech, Paula, Paua – Say it, spell it however you want. We offer Power Everywhere!

What's in a name, really? If you’re thinking "Puau? Is that some new EV slang?", or maybe "Pautech... is that a Kiwi-tech firm?", you're not alone. The truth is, our company name Paua isn’t the easiest for everyone to get right on the first try. Phonetically, it sounds like "power" – which makes sense, given our purpose to bring Power Everywhere for electric vehicles. But where does the name really come from, and what’s behind the unusual spelling?

Well, Paua (correctly spelt for the record) is a Māori word from New Zealand, where it refers to the beautiful, iridescent sea snail known elsewhere as abalone. This small but resilient creature is highly valued in Māori culture, representing strength, resilience, and change – qualities that resonate deeply with us at Paua. In Māori mythology, the colours in paua shells are said to be a gift from the gods – a symbol of transformation and a gift to those who receive them. And while Paua may be a small name, it carries the power and meaning of something much greater.

In some ways, Paua is also a bit of a metaphor for the change happening in the energy landscape today. Just as the paua shell changes and reflects its environment, the transition to electric vehicles is reshaping the world of transport, and we're committed to enabling that shift in every way we can. We provide the power to those making this transition, whether they're a growing business with a small EV fleet or a multinational rolling out electric vans across Europe.

It’s also no coincidence that Paua sounds like "power." Our mission is to enable power everywhere for those who need it, whenever they need it. Fleets can depend on us to make charging seamless, straightforward, and accessible – all with one card and app. So, no matter what you call us, you can rely on our service to keep you moving.

Paua, Puau, Power – what's in a name?

While we’ve had our share of amusing mispronunciations, we’re proud of our name and what it stands for. It’s a nod to our mission to empower businesses and support the transition to sustainable transport, as well as a reminder of our commitment to something bigger than just EV charging. So whether you know us as Paua, Pautech, or even Puau, remember that we’re here to bring Power Everywhere.

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