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.