Vote City Vision in Entrust elections
Written By:
- Date published:
8:47 am, October 12th, 2018 - 32 comments
Categories: community democracy, elections, Politics, sustainability -
Tags: city vision
From the City Vision website:
Power account holders in the Auckland Isthmus and Manukau should have by now received a letter with a postal voting form from Entrust.
Auckland needs a team at Entrust (formerly the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust) who are committed to working together to maintain and protect your annual dividend and the reliability of our electricity supply.
If elected we will:
- Protect and maintain your dividend: We oppose any privatisation of Vector
- Electricity reliability and resilience: We will pressure Vector to improve the security of our electricity supply
- Accelerate the current undergrounding programme
- Sustainability, renewables, climate change and solar tax. We will prepare for a rapidly changing competitive environment and the challenge of climate change
- Establish transparency and good governance
- Diversity: We will appoint qualified directors to Vector that better reflect the diversity of Auckland and are able and committed to maintaining the dividend paid annually.
- Protect the consumer: We will the resources of Entrust and Vector to address the growing energy poverty in our communities
Our Approach
We will seek independent advice on how to :
- Ensure Vector remains profitable;
- Make Auckland’s electricity supply more resilient;
- Deal with a rapidly changing competitive environment;
- Accelerate the current undergrounding programme;
- Ensure our interests as investors, consumers and the community can be appropriately balanced.
- We will use that advice combined with regular consultation with and polling of our community, to build a shared vision of the future between Entrust trustees, Vector directors and our dividend recipients.
Protecting the Dividend
There are four main threats to the sustainability of your $350 annual dividend;
First, that parts of Vector’s assets are bundled up and the sale proceeds going to Auckland Council. (most likely) This will lower our dividend despite Entrust still holding the shares.
Second, that all or part of the Entrust 75.1% share will be sold, cutting or removing our dividend, and the sale proceeds going to Auckland Council. (likely)
Third, the C&R trustees wind up the trust and give it all to Auckland Council. (unlikely)
Finally, that the growing sources of electricity like solar on your own roof will reduce the profitability of lines businesses like Vector without changes in how we pay for services. (least likely)
The Vector Chair has confirmed he has been approached by the merchant bank UBS about a proposal for Vector to sell its network assets to a client to be introduced by UBS. The 5 current C&R trustees that have run Entrust for the last 9 years have not ruled out a sale of Vector assets with proceeds going to Auckland Council.
City Vision is strongly opposed to any sale of your share in Vector, held on your behalf by Entrust as it would cut or eliminate your annual dividend with the sales proceeds going to the Auckland Council. We are equally opposed to an early wind up of the Trust that would have the same effect.
A City Vision trustees will use independent advisers to review the strategy and operations of Vector and then work with the board and management of Vector and the minority shareholders to develop a shared plan to best secure your future dividends.
Electricity Reliability and Resilience
Consumers want Entrust to be a stronger advocate for improved reliability of our electricity supply. We have never been as reliant on electricity for our quality of life as we are now and the introduction of electric vehicles as standard will only increase that dependency. Our dependence on reliable electricity was highlighted by the storms back in April when 200,000 people suddenly found themselves without power, some for more than a week.
City Vision trustees will work with Vector to see how we can cost effectively increase the reliability and resilience of the Auckland network. For some more isolated areas that might mean having a separate line in, somewhere else by utilising undergrounding,. Large modern batteries are now being used in parts of Australia as a back-up electricity supply. “Consumer” was taken out of the name of the Trust by the current trustees. City Vision will put both the interests of the consumer and trust back into Entrust.
Acceleration of the Undergrounding Programme
We are committed to securing the supply of electricity and accelerating the undergrounding programme. City Vision Trustees will look at ways we can underground faster.
The $10.5 million ring fenced by the Trust for undergrounding of lines in 2005 has not always been spent as intended. In recent years it has been spent on projects such as lighting the harbour bridge and other projects which have nothing to do with securing our electricity supply.
The current C&R Entrust trustees have allowed Vector to cut the spending on undergrounding so it will now take more than 1000 years to complete the undergrounding of poles and lines at the recent rate of progress.
A City Vision Entrust would thoroughly investigate alternate ways to bring undergrounding to more homes. We all know it is expensive to replace the ugly old power poles but we are not prepared to wait over 1000 years.
If not part of a ‘planned undergrounding project’ (like in Sandringham or Franklin Road in older suburbs) each consumer must agree for their street to be undergrounded. It comes at a substantial up-front cost per household. An option is for consumers in streets that want to ‘buy in’ to undergrounding, without unanimous support for the project, could be offered funding to undertake undergrounding that would be paid off through the power bill over say 20-40 years.
Better information could be used to find out which urban trees are a danger to powerlines and which power poles are involved in most accidents, and prioritise these for undergrounding. Different priorities for undergrounding can be part of the discussion Entrust has with its consumers about what they see is important to them.
We need to put the Trust back in Entrust and embark on an under-grounding programme that will keep our power on and our communities safe.
Transparency and good governance
We will ensure that Entrust operates in an open and informed way by:
- Making information available about the Trust, and will provide information to media and beneficiaries unless good reason exists to withhold it;
- We will amend the Trust Deed to make the principles of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, apply to the Trust;
- We will hold meetings in public (only excluding for good reason);
- We will place Minutes, once approved, on the Entrust website;
- We will consult and poll on matters of major significance to consumers and dividend recipients.
- After a year to assess the relative workload of Trustees we will review the $343,000 in the director’s fees paid annually to the trustees with the aim of reducing the total amount paid.
- City Vision for Entrust recognises that the severity and frequency of storms like the one last April is a resilience issue that applies today – not in some undefined future. Climate change is happening now and Auckland’s power lines need to be better prepared.
Diversity
Neither Vector nor Entrust currently reflect the growing diversity of Auckland.
City Vision Entrust Trustees will:
- After a careful review of Entrust and Vector, refresh the Vector board with the aim of appointing qualified directors more reflective of Auckland’s diversity and are able and committed to maintaining the dividend paid annually;
- Use polling and meetings with representatives of the community to keep the Trust aligned with your priorities and more in tune with Auckland’s diversity;
- Encourage Vector to provide scholarships, internships and mentoring to help diversify its future workforce and improve its alignment with its customer base.
Sustainability
City Vision for Entrust acknowledges that Vector is a leader in sustainability and will encourage Vector to join the dots and pass innovations on to ordinary consumers.
At the moment smart metering serves big users and power companies more than it serves ordinary households. We want to see Vector empowering households to use their own data to save money.
Smart meters and customers’ data represent the single greatest untapped potential in addressing climate change and sustainability goals.
Solar Tax
The Electricity Authority labelled Unison’s solar tax as “not as clearly service-based and cost-reflective as it could be”, and not offering “sufficient choices to consumers”. We couldn’t agree more. The fact that the solar tax still passes muster under our electricity regime speaks volumes about the kind of reforms needed.
City Vision for Entrust will work collaboratively with ETNZ to sort out regulations that are fair for both the lines companies and customers.
Renewables
Vector has invested significantly in both small scale and grid scale solar. This experience is priceless and should continue.
Renewables are key to reaching Vector’s stated goal of being net carbon neutral by 2030.
Renewables are key to reaching Vector’s stated goal of being resilient in the face of climate change.
City Vision for Entrust supports Vector’s investments in renewables and would like to see more integration within Auckland to provide resiliency.
Climate Change
Climate change is the single most important issue facing the energy sector.
We support Vector’s goal of being net carbon neutral by 2030.
Smart meters and customers’ data, represent the single greatest untapped potential in addressing climate change and sustainability goals.
Entrust was originally established as the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust to benefit the consumers but does little to address the needs of the consumers that it serves. Our dividend is under threat, continuity of supply by Vector is often compromised and agreed undergrounding has not been carried out. We believe Entrust should have spoken out about the consumer and business interest in a more reliable power supply in Auckland when 200,000 Aucklanders were without power last April.
Over the years of a C&R dominated Trust nothing has been done by Entrust to address the growing “energy poverty” (people not able to afford basic energy requirements) that has been highlighted in recent government reports. Entrust and Vector should be using some of their resources to bring down prices and provide cheaper energy solutions for the most vulnerable. Other lines companies in NZ have started to do this. A good example of this is in the Waikato where its line company Wel Networks partners with local charities to supply cheaper power to low-income consumers. The current Entrust trustees are asleep at the wheel in addressing the energy needs of their consumers.
A City Vision majority Entrust as a stronger advocate for the consumer will press Vector to investigate opportunities for:
Bringing forward the payment of the dividend for all to help the most vulnerable
Reviewing the line charges to facilitate greater competition in the energy sector and deliver lower prices
Implementing cost effective changes to improve the reliability and resilience of electricity supply in Auckland.
32 comments on “Vote City Vision in Entrust elections ”
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2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...4 days ago - Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...4 days ago
- The case for cultural connectednessA recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...5 days ago
- Useful context on public sector job cutsDavid Farrar writes – The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated. While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...5 days ago
- Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racismRemember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...5 days ago
- Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal5 days ago
- True Blue.
True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...5 days ago - Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...5 days ago
- Fast-track submissions period must be extended
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...9 hours ago - Release: Progress on climate will be undone by Govt
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...9 hours ago - Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect themNews that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...2 days ago
- Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunchesMore essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...3 days ago
- Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals billThe Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...4 days ago
- Government throws coal on the climate crisis fireThe Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...4 days ago
- Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project insteadCancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...4 days ago
- Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priorityA laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...5 days ago
- Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful lawThe Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homesThe National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...1 week ago
- Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on mediaThe action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...1 week ago
- Landlord Government leaves little hope for rentersThe Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...1 week ago
- Opportunity to build a more sustainable economyGreen Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...1 week ago
- Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust pastA significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...1 week ago
- Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environmentNew Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...1 week ago
- Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to GovernmentTens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention OfficeLabour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...1 week ago
- CCC issues warning over further climate delayToday’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets are lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt prioritiesMinister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Methane target review is dangerous duplicationThe Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled studentsThe Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National must take mental health seriouslyMental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...2 weeks ago
- Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwardsThe Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cutsNew Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...2 weeks ago
- Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing planMāori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...3 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...3 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do listThe Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this AprilChanges to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...3 weeks ago
- $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...9 hours ago - Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder listThe Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...12 hours ago
- Judicial appointments announcedAttorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...12 hours ago
- Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in SingaporeEducation Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...13 hours ago
- Value of stopbank project proven during cycloneA stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...13 hours ago
- Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visitForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...14 hours ago
- Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac DayScience, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...16 hours ago
- Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the PhilippinesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...1 day ago
- Government commits $20m to Westport flood protectionThe Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...1 day ago
- Taupō takes pole positionThe Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...1 day ago
- Cost of living support for low-income homeownersLocal Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...1 day ago
- Government backing mussel spat projectThe Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...2 days ago
- Government focused on getting people into workBenefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...2 days ago
- Clean energy key driver to reducing emissionsThe Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...2 days ago
- Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forwardThe Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...2 days ago
- Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic PartnershipPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...2 days ago
- Government consults on extending coastal permits for portsRMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...3 days ago
- Inflation coming down, but more work to doToday’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...3 days ago
- School attendance restored as a priority in health adviceRefreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...3 days ago
- Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sectorOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...3 days ago
- Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International CongressAssociate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...4 days ago
- Removing red tape to help early learners thriveThe Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...4 days ago
- RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tapeChanges to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...4 days ago
- McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationshipTrade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister LeePrime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...4 days ago
- PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ tiesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...4 days ago
- Antarctica New Zealand Board appointmentsForeign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...4 days ago
- Finance Minister travels to Washington DCFinance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...4 days ago
- Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlordsThe coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...5 days ago
- Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being consideredState Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...5 days ago
- New Zealand condemns Iranian strikesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...5 days ago
- Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plansHundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...1 week ago
- Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand ChairHealth Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...1 week ago
- Roads of National Significance planning underwayThe NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...1 week ago
- Navigating an unstable global environmentNew Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...1 week ago
- NZ welcomes Australian Governor-GeneralPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...1 week ago
- Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for WinterAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...1 week ago
- NZ and the US: an ever closer partnershipNew Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...1 week ago
- Joint US and NZ declarationApril 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...1 week ago
- NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperationForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...1 week ago
- Rousing farewell for Kiwi doctors flying out to Gaza aid flotilla
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...3 hours ago - Communities Against The Fast-track Heartened By ‘Overwhelming’ Public Response; Disgusted By ‘...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...5 hours ago - Renters Rights To Drastically Reduce Under Landlord GovernmentThe Government’s announced changes around tenancy rules set renters’ rights back by nearly a decade. ...5 hours ago
- NZPI Submission on Fast Track Approvals BillOur response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...5 hours ago
- Fast Track Invite List Includes Most Destructive Industries In New ZealandThe new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...5 hours ago
- Eugene Doyle: Helen Clark on why AUKUS isn’t in New Zealand’s national interestCOMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...5 hours ago
- Government releases list of organisations shoulder-tapped for fast-track consents
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...7 hours ago - The Week in Politics: Job cuts surge and Waitangi Tribunal troubleAnalysis - It's been a grim week for public servants, while trouble is also brewing between the government and Waitangi Tribunal. ...8 hours ago
- It never rains but it pours: intense rain and flash floods have increased inland in eastern Australi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...8 hours ago
- Watch: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in ManilaThe PM has defended how he's talked up NZ trade on his trip to Southeast Asia, after criticism from his own delegation. ...8 hours ago
- ‘It could be the death of the museum’: why research cuts at a South Australian institution have ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...8 hours ago
- Government signs off $41m clean energy deal with Asian Development BankThe government has committed $41 million to clean energy transition at the Asian Development Bank's Energy Transition Mechanism. ...9 hours ago
- Are 2 mid-career AFL retirements a sign Australian athletes are taking brain health more seriously?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...11 hours ago
- Luxon: Waitangi Tribunal comments from coalition parties 'ill considered'Comments from ACT and NZ First ministers about the Tribunal were "ill considered" and "that message will be underscored" to them, the PM says. ...11 hours ago
- Mental Health Foundation Facing Staff Cuts From Govt Funding SqueezeThe Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...11 hours ago
- I wholeheartedly recommend The President: a brilliant revival of a play of decay, terror and revulsi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...11 hours ago
- How the coolest little capital is shrinkingIt's not the first time a government has targeted public servants for job cuts, but this time Wellington is really feeling it. ...12 hours ago
- Ministers accused of Cabinet Manual breach with threats to Waitangi Tribunal
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...12 hours ago - Many prisoners go years without touching a smartphone. It means they struggle to navigate life on th...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...12 hours ago
- Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...12 hours ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Mitochondrial Problem’ by Evangeline Riddiford Graham
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...12 hours ago - The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 18The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38) Hot off the press, this debut ...12 hours ago
- Department of Conservation closing Dunedin centre, but no jobs lostVisitor habits are changing and DOC needs to adapt in a financially sustainable way, its operations director says. ...12 hours ago
- Unions Collaborate With Thousands Of Job CutsWith New Zealand officially in recession, a swathe of mass sackings is currently sending shockwaves through the entire working class. ...12 hours ago
- Watch live: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in ManilaPrime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters in Manila after pledging greater defence cooperation with the Philippines. Watch live. ...12 hours ago
- Government sent please explain letter to Wellington City Council over transport disagreementThe contents were revealed in correspondence from Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop to Wellington's Mayor. ...13 hours ago
- Some families push back against journalists who mine social media for photos – they have every rig...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...13 hours ago
- Mental Health Foundation staff cuts loom, with funding falling behind rising costsChief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...13 hours ago
- The ‘devil comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks has finally become visible from Australia. What can we expect?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Pons–Brooks visible from Utah, March 9 2024. James Peirce/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND If you’re a fan of all things space, you’ve doubtless heard about the “devil comet”, which has been captivating keen-eyed observers in the ...13 hours ago
- Rugby stadiums are sold as an economic asset – but NZ needs to ask if they’re really worth itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hamlin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing , University of Otago A multi-billion dollar stadium precinct has been proposed for Auckland, one of three proposals in front of Auckland Council for a new stadium in the city. The council is also considering revamping ...13 hours ago
- Auckland dog attacks: Callouts for attacks on other animals going upRoaming dogs are responsible for more than a thousand attacks on animals each year, and the number is growing. ...14 hours ago
- What access to puberty blockers means for trans young people and their whānauThe Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...14 hours ago
- NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensionsThe commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...15 hours ago
- How superblocks can help reimagine city lifeBarcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...15 hours ago
- Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIEThe public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...16 hours ago
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On balance I agree with most of their positions, will be interesting to see what C&R comes out with if anything.
As a South Aucklander, CityVision doesn’t really relate to me all too well since it has always been an Isthmus focused organisation. More could be done to encourage South Auckland voters to turn out for left leaning candidates but City Vision has only put up Robert Reid as their South Auckland candidate, all the other CV candidates are unknown to people here, Robert’s long service in the Union is long remembered for many workers here so it’s an easy tick. One of my votes goes to ‘independent’ (Labour Party Member and Former MP) Ashraf Choudhary. As both an elected member for the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and as a Counties Manukau DHB member would have a much higher profile across wider Manukau than the other four CV candidates standing. My other 3 votes would likely go CV candidates but they are just names on paper rather than any relevance to me as a voter.
Thanks I wish that CT and Ashraf could have sorted this out as splitting the vote does not help.
I agree about Robert Reid. He would be great on the trust board.
Agree Mickey. City Vision is quite Isthmus focused and I don’t think they got the message out amongst left networks that they were standing a ticket. To be fair Ashraf didn’t tell anyone he was standing until it was publicly announced either.
City Vision has had a ticket for Entrust since for ever, along with other entities such as DHB.
Yes but only for the Isthmus area not for the other parts of Auckland.
Thanks for drawing attention to this. I received my voting papers yesterday and was just going to ignore it, as I never know anything about the candidates.
just had a look. Gee – not exactly representative of Auckland demographics.
13 candidates: 2 women (1 each for C&R and City vision).
No candidates identifiable as Maori, Pacific or south east Asian.
The only indication that it is not just a bunch of older white folks is candidate Ashraf Choudhary.
Regarding the outcomes if the ‘assets are sold’
“First, that parts of Vector’s assets are bundled up and the sale proceeds going to Auckland Council. (most likely)
The precedent for the other Auckland lines company Waitemata, that was sold at the formation stage.
The proceeds went the residents and business who were being supplied at the time.
From memory they each got circa $3000 worth . EACH. back when that was real money ( early 1990s)
There is no way that North Shore and West Auckland residents will be double dipping on this one , nor the Auckland Council ‘getting’ the assets/money .
This isnt small change for Entrust dividends as its around $ 510 per qualifying household ( pre tax)
I would prefer to see a strong statement that they will accelerate the return of the VectorTrust shareholding to Auckland Council as soon as possible, so that there is clear democratic accountability of Vector to citizens.
It’s great to promise not to make the situation worse.
I want to see them act on bold decisions to increase democratic accountability now not in several decades as per the existing statute.
Auckland Council would sell it as quick as winks to get their hands on $2 bill
They haven’t so far and have been going for 10 years.
Trust the people.
Why should half of Auckland get a free ride, they sold their shares in their lines companys. No double dipping.
There’s already double dipping happening. You seem to assume all the same people are living in the same parts of Auckland as in the 1990s.
I know one or two people who were living out west in the 90s, and act like they’ve won the lottery when they moved into central Auckland and could get the Entrust pay out.
Auckland has grown in recent decades – plenty of recent incomers all over that were not here in the 90s.
Thanks, though, for the history lesson on it. I was overseas in the 90s, and did not understand why there was the Entrust system in central Auckland, and not in other parts of the city.
I would like to see nationalisation of the powercos and the likes of Vector – take the profit motive out of it.
Got a letter today promoting the C&R team for Entrust – binned it. I’ll vote for the candidates who aim to work for a big majority of Aucklanders.
I like that CV are addressing more diversity of Vector directors, counter-acting energy poverty, and environmental sustainability, as well as opposing missive privatisation and selling off of Aucklanders’ assets.
They managed to stall that Court case that challenged ex national MP Paul Hutchison eligibility to stand for the Trust last time
‘Papers have been filed with the Auckland High Court that allege Paul Hutchison, a Entrust trustee and a former National MP for the Hunua electorate, did not live within the district covered by Entrust, Newsroom has reported.
Before Entrust’s October 2015 election a statement of claim said Hutchison said he lived on Onslow Ave in Epsom, which was his brother’s house.
Last week, Hutchison signed a declaration confirming the details and also added he maintained a residence in Leamy Way, Drury, which had been his family home.
Shades of Key , who falsely claimed he lived in the electorate when he enrolled , but has signed company documents saying he lived in Remuera.
Brothers house , who does he think we are
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12061462
More lies in the other C&R candidate Alastair Bell, saying hes a Consumer Advocate, yeah right .
CityVision’s manifesto is fine as it goes, but I would strongly prefer to see a clear statement saying that they will return Vector control to Auckland Council well before the legislated timeframe, in order that this vital electricity network can be brought under democratic control.
It is simply bringing forward what is already provided for, and Vector Chair Michael Stiassny is a corporate bully who has already moved hard against this Trust having any reasonable influence over the Vector Board.
These guys enabled hundreds of thousands of consumers to go cold in April this year due to their inability to secure the network, then made the most pathetic excuses to Auckland Council when called out about it.
Time to bring them into full and unrelenting scrutiny within public ownership.
Full public ownership and democratic systems of responsibility sound good to me.
Why would they say that.
“return Vector control to Auckland Council ”
Entrust only covers half of Auckland , the other half blew away their lines company shares for easy cash.
They arent going to get another share.
We have a democratic election now for Entrust- do you have a different meaning for democratic.
Auckland Council covers all of Auckland, who will under legislation be the beneficiaries of the Trust.
The election is to vote for largely powerless Trust members. Rather than for actual politicians. It is as close to a sham as you get.
The beneficiaries arent all of Auckland , they are only the former Auckland City , Manukau City and parts of Papakura City
Thats not all of Auckland , as it excludes the old Waitakere, North Shore, Rodney And Franklin Councils.
A bit under half are not beneficiary’s !
Super City changed what was separate councils.
Thos previous councils had their own lines companys, who gave shares to beneficiaries who took the cash in the early 90s.
Stiassny had been on the Board since 2002 – 16 years – so it was no revolution. He left happily to go straight to the NZTA Chair, which is far more powerful. He left a great blame-trail, sure, but then he’s good at that and fuck all else.
The Trust’s power has been reduced to that of an electoral college, which is also fuck all.
Vector in the meantime have gone on doing precisely what they want for two decades, underlining time and again how much they sideline the Trust.
left happily ????
Its clear you have no idea on that one…oh dear
Plus you are clueless on how a Trust who only has the shares works, the Board of Vector makes the decisions. The Trust can really only vote of who the directors are.
Same set up for Auckland Council Investments – who hold all the shares , not the elected Councils.
Sheeesh ….
Appointers have all the power. You mean that being to say who the directors are is inefectual?
I dont know how they work in practice , except its a bit more at arms length compared to the company board. They did seem to fire the chairman as they wanted him to quit immediately rather than when his term expired which was the ‘plan’
Auckland Council Investments- company board wouldnt be more ‘democratic’ as Ed claims than Entrust is now.
Thats why I will vote City Vision or similar for the election. I want to keep the control in public hands and out of the control of people like Alistair Bell and his cronies in the national party.
Does elected Auckland Councillors have any say over Ports of Auckland, Watercare et al.
Recently Entrust trustees fired the Chair of Vector,,… yeah toothless
Yes they have plenty of power. And they exercise it.
I’m not going to explain how since it’s so easy for you to find out how yourself.
As to the beneficiaries, it’s sad that you’ve got a bee in your uninformed bonnet about who they are. So let the Trust itself enlighten you.
“Entrust is a private trust established in 1993. It acts in the interests of its beneficiaries, over 331,000 households and businesses in Auckland, Manukau, northern Papakura and eastern Franklin.”
https://www.entrustnz.co.nz/about-us/who-we-are/
AECT holds these assets in trust for the energy consumers living within the former AEPB boundaries (i.e. in Auckland, Manukau and Papakura) until 2073, at which point they will pass to the local government body or bodies functioning within the boundaries of the former AEPB. If no such body or bodies exist, the assets will pass to the Crown.
The body who will receive the shares is the Auckland Council, as per above. So on both the service levels, and on its AECT Trust Deed, the beneficiaries are clear.
Thats roughly half of Auckland – what Ive been saying , why should the ‘other half’ get a share. True the legislation does say that about 2073 …. 50 or more years away, but that was just a burp from Max Bradford and will be changed before that date comes up.
As for democratic control by Councillors , you clearly dont know the Councils shares in Ports of Auckland, Auckland International Airport are not under elected councillors direct control but by the appointed board members of Auckland Council Investments, who act in a similar way to the Trustees of Entrust do.
I will tell you why the “other half of Auckland” should get a share.
Then I’ll get to governance.
It probably requires a post by itself on electricity regulation, but it needs saying anyway.
Right. Since the Max Bradford reforms of the electricity market in both generators and in wholesalers, we have seen a deliberate stripping-away of democratic accountability of any kind. The lines companies are not responsible to anyone other than their shareholders. This includes the remaining publicly-owned ones such as Aurora. Aurora – 100% owned by Dunedin City Holdings – had its maintenance regime stripped away over years and years to the point where far too many of their poles were falling over or getting close to it.
But unlike Vector, Aurora was able to be brought before an elected Council and get smashed around in public and in the media until they saw the light. Just as importantly, they were able to be smashed around behind closed doors. They were audited several times. Ministers started making noises against the Mayor. Bulkloads of staff who were incompetent or who were managerial toadies got fired.
And sure it will take a while for the entire asset management plan of the network to be renewed properly, but it will not go back to the way it was in the foreseeable future.
So there was no regulator. There still isn’t. But there was democratic accountability.
Now let’s take Vector. A storm came through in April this year and tens of thousands of people lost power, and several hundred lost it for over a week. It was cold and wet.
Vector could have undergrounded their lines over several decades to ensure that electricity supply to the little old ladies of the west were not at threat.
There was a huge media noise about all of this. Plenty of MPs and Councillors got involved. But Vector kept on doing what it did, sending out it’s usual excuses, inept call centres, its subcontracted lines companies getting through the faults in the time they could. But at the end, no-one held them to account for it.
In previous years Entrust and its antecedent had been able to negotiate a list of streets that would gradually be under grounded. Now, not even that little effort continues.
Then finally when the deigned to show up to Auckland Council out of the goodness of their heart, management explained that they couldn’t possibly underground all those lines because it just might put up the total cost of supplying power. No Councillor had the facts to provide an alternative, no one was held to account. Nothing changed.
Even more egregiously, Vector last month sent out a $50 cheque to every single one of its customers for no reason whatsoever. Simply threw tens of millions out the window. Anyone with any sense knew it was a coded apology, but still banked the money. Clearly Vector had plenty of cash to underground their lines and make them secure after all.
And here’s where we get to the difference in governance.
If Vector had been a Council Controlled Organisation like Auckland Transport or Watercare, staff inside Auckland Council would be trained to act as their guardians and regulators. There are shareholder guides and much of the Finance team schooled up on keeping these entities in check. Of course there is a difference in agency that the Council has over Watercare as compared to the Ports of Auckland.
But – as in the Dunedin example – even another layer won’t protect them when it goes tits up.
i don’t always have a fixed view on whether entities once formed should be brought fully back in-house again and simply be Departments.
But in Vector’s case, if it were brought back fully under Auckland Council and held to account, management would no longer be able to run the show. The reason the 25% of Vector was sold off in the first place was management pushed to buy the gas network, and National’s mates saw it as an easy way to crack the left and henceforth ensure democratic accountability never directly occurring again. And so it has proved. Very similar to what we have seen with the NZGovernment electricity generators selling 49%.
All Aucklanders should benefit from the democratic protection of Auckland Council because there is no regulator to protect them as consumers and probably never will be, and secondly because it unites the citizen and the consumer back to being the same person again. Because that is what they should be, and it is not what they are. Until the citizen and the consumer of electricity are united again, vector will simply continue to do what they want. They are far and away more powerful than petrol companies in our lives.
The transfer of those shares to a democratic institution – faulty as it is – is far better than leaving it in the hands of management. There is an idea that Entrust and other similar trusts have some say in the actual decisions that get made.
Let me disabuse you of this right away. There is always an effort to accord the owners, shareholders, or other investors, a seeming role in Vector. It is a fraud. Capitalism has one given way to management cum bureaucracy, where an appearance of relevance for owners is contrived. Fraud.
Of course there are some agreed ceremonial aspects. One is a board of directors selected by management, fully subordinate to management but viewed by the consumer and the shareholder as a voice of shareholders and of the people. With rare exceptions they are remarkably acquiescent in Vector’s case. Given a fee and some food and good regular Eden Park tickets, these directors are routinely informed by management on what has been decided or already known. Approval is assumed, including for management compensation – compensation set by management. And in the case of Vector it is munificent.
You will of course be aware of the scrutiny that this Labour government and Auckland Labour Council are doing to limit their own entities. Because they can. And because they are Labour led and dominated.
There are of course times even in Vector’s history when there is a valve opened for some adverse comment. In Vector’s case the succession plan for Stiassny was already well underway and he’s already had the chute well greased by Phil Twyford to NZTA. But, for safety valves, they all get invited each year to the annual meeting, which resembles something as useful to management as a religious rite. There is ceremonial expression, and with rare exceptions, no negative response. infidels who urge action are set aside and the management position routinely approved.
The Trust should it ever get off its hind legs could put up something like more environmental measures, have their proposal printed with some supporting argument. Then when the eating is done management take them and shred them.
Sure, that’s not just particular to Vector. And the one really big exception to it is the highly intelligent, socially eccentric and financially successful Berkshire Hathaway. Proposals by its stockholders are frequently accepted – often by working it through very thoroughly with management beforehand.
But in Vector’s case no one should be in doubt. Unless it is fully retired to the whole of the people of Auckland, the citizen and the consumer will remain divided and powerless. And the shareholders whether in a trust or not will remain fully subordinate to Vector management. Though the impression of owner authority is offered, it does not in fact exist. It is simply an accepted fraud.
So there you go. Probably should have been a post by itself.
There is no extra ‘governance’ from having the Auckland Council involved.
Thats the big myth of your proposal.
as I pointed out with Ports of Auckland, which has its own board, and the shares are under the control of Auckland Council Investments with its own board and then to the Auckland Council itself.
QED . Not more democratic.
The changes you talk about seem on the face of it worthy things, but having the income spread over all of Auckland instead of the roughly half now who are beneficiaries isnt democratic.
Having a rant about capitalism may suit your mindset but isnt going to change the situation where its a listed public company like Vector , 75% owned by Entrust or an unlisted company like POAL, 100% owned by Auckland Council Investments Ltd.
The shares can be sold under either circumstance depending on the political control.
Im voting for City Vision or aligned to makes sure the beneficiary ownership remains.
Im sure you have forgotten that 15 years ago Auckland City Council sold its shares in Auckland Airport, while Manukau Council did not – the reason why the successor Auckland Council still has a small holding.
Clear evidence that Council ownership doesnt guarantee public ownership, as political winds can change
It’s not the shares you need to focus on in the future transfer – it’s the whole organization and business. That governance contest – whether they are treated as merely shares as in the AC AIAL holding or whether it’s a full CCO as in Auckland Transport – is a fight worth having. And at minimum I would expect the Entrust candidates to have a clear idea of what they would want.
I would be happy to work within Labour to ensure that Auckland Council adopts the whole entity and pulls it in as a full CCO. Watercare and Auckland Transport have shown in recent years that they do respond to the calls of their owner, and they do change.
I know what democratic looks like – and it isn’t this. Having the income spread over all of Auckland is not only democratic – because it is the full polis. It is also deeply egalitarian.
Trouble is, there are a lot of households in South Auckland that rely on the Entrust dividend to fill their cupboards and (ironically) pay their power bill. The company I work for does the disconnection and reconnection work in the Auckland area and it is noticable when the dividend comes through. I agree with your desire for council ownership of Vector, but the loss of dividend needs to be taken into account.
Ad, are you that grandiose that you really believe this ?
“I would be happy to work within Labour to ensure that Auckland Council adopts the whole entity as a full CCO. That stage is fifty years away , if ever, and isnt happening soon.
You are still wanting to take away the rights of the existing beneficiaries
Watercare isnt listening to anyway , as its self funded, and you give no evidence they are listening or changing.
Thats the same position as Entrust would be- self funded .
I have noticed that after my rebuttal of your previous main points – you like Gosman just move onto unrelated things. Clearly democracy is only doing what you want. Im happy for Entrust to stay as 75% owner of Vector and pay the beneficiaries $350 pa- and not share that with you – as I gather you dont get anything.
Its a forlorn hope that Entrust/Vector will be more customer focused as a full Council CCO when even blind freddy can see the Auckland Council itself has serious problems in that regard. And they dont have a CCO between them and the councillors!