Ngā mihi nui
Thank you
A huge thank you to everyone who stood up in all the various ways to support the More for You, Better for Auckland campaign. Unfortunately we were not successful.
Our positive and energising volunteer-led campaign came together in an super short timeframe. We went into it knowing this is an incredibly difficult election to contest as the incumbents control the election rules. However, we felt the energy threats and opportunities are too great not to have contested the election for NZ’s largest energy consumer trust after 3 decades of C&R control.
The result is not unexpected but still a shock that voter turnout fell to just 9.36% (down from 9.64% in 2021). Unfortunately the hurdles to democracy are just too great in NZ’s most undemocratic election. (our final campaign media release)
With more future-focused strategic leadership of Vector, Aucklanders could continue to enjoy the annual dividend plus solar-powered resilient community hubs, cheaper power, and reduced levels of energy poverty. Above all, Aucklanders deserve an Entrust that runs transparent and fair elections, and that is accountable to the community. We are now considering the options for next steps.
Thank you everyone who gave us their support and took the time to vote - we know it is not easy!
We are really heartened to have gathered so much support across a wide network and to have shone a light on what’s possible for Tāmaki Makaurau.
It’s now in C&R’s hands to run an election that makes this a fair and honest contest of ideas.
VOTE for lower power bills and secure energy supply.
This is your new team for Entrust.
Entrust is yours! We promise to bring solutions-focused leadership to put more in your pocket and deliver greater energy independence for Aucklanders.
What is Vector, Entrust, the elections and the dividend, and how does it all work?
Vector.
Vector is Auckland’s power lines company with the sole responsibly for the distribution of electricity in the Auckland region. The “lines charge” on our power bill is paid to Vector.
Vector’s electricity network is super important for our city’s energy future.
2. Entrust.
Vector is mostly (75.1%) owned by the people of Auckland through a community trust called “Entrust”.
Entrust has five Trustees who represent 364,000 households and businesses (“beneficiaries”) south of the Auckland Harbour bridge, and east of Avondale in the Entrust District including Waiheke. You get to vote if your name is on the power bill.
3. The Dividend
The Entrust dividend is a payment made back to households by Entrust, passed on from the money that Vector has made in the past year.
The dividend has fallen by 27.5% in real terms in the past 18 years.
In 2006, the annual dividend was $310, which would be $483.44 in today’s money.
4. This Election.
The election for the five Entrust Trustees will be held from 10 -25 October 2024 by postal vote. This year there is an amazing opportunity, after 30 years of C&R control, to vote for new leadership with the solutions and vision needed to lower power bills, address energy hardship and tackle Auckland’s energy crisis
