Elections Archives - Page 2 of 2

Voter apathy and media blackout gifts Citizens & Ratepayers the AECT

In the end it was far too easy for the status quo to prevail. Citizens & Ratepayers simply targeted 25,000 plus supporters with a personal letter asking for a vote for all 5 candidates on their ticket. The rank and file fell into line and complied to ensure all five Trustees are now from one political party. The lack of media interest in the election and the incredibly low turnout (less that 17%) meant that it was an impossible task for an independent, or even the other tickets, to get anywhere close. The AECT media release announcing the election result can be read here.

The AECT website optimistically states that “Your five trustees all come from different backgrounds and each one brings a different perspective to the decisions the Trust makes.” Unfortunately the election results means that only a small number of the Trust’s 300,000 beneficiaries, who are spread across the diverse communities of Auckland, Manukau and Papakura, can claim to be represented by the elected Trustees.

It is hugely disappointing election process and outcome that leaves the unsustainable direction of the Vector unchallenged for another three years. It also allows Vector to continue on a reckless “business as usual” path without adequately responding to the current environmental challenges or tackling an unhealthy corporate culture which is leading the company to inevitable crisis.

It will be interesting to see what the media and electricity consumers make in future of power cuts, under investment in energy infrastructure, rising energy bills, excessive Trustee fees, unsustainable dividend payments, a lack of community engagement by the Trust or any of the range of issues facing Vector and the AECT.

The AECT election has exposed how voter apathy, a paucity of information and well placed resources can distort the democratic process. There are many lessons to be learnt as we fast approach the first super city elections if we want fresh thinking, a sustainable future and inspiring community leadership to be part of Auckland’s governance.

AECT Election: The Power is With the Community

Press Release: Grey Lynn 2030

28 October 2009

With only 2 days remaining in the AECT election a disappointing 14.65% of eligible voters have so far returned postal ballots to decide the 5 trustees of the Trust. At the same time in the 2003 election the turnout was only slightly better at 17.5%. Independent Candidate Pippa Coom, a lawyer who previously worked at Vector, visited nearly the whole Trust area over the course of her campaign and found a high level of ignorance about the Trust and very little awareness about the election.

“The election has given me the opportunity to attend community meetings all over Manukau City. It has convinced me that you can’t beat face to face communication with the beneficiaries of the Trust. I have been overwhelmed by the warm reception I have received and if elected will be heading straight back to South Auckland to start a conversation about what the community could best do with the $98m dividend”

“I feel very fortunate to have been made redundant from Vector at the beginning of the year. Without that push I would not have thrown myself into working for the transition town movement through Grey Lynn 2030 nor with the support of Grey Lynn 2030 pursued the idea to run as an independent candidate with aim of putting community into the Trust and setting a sustainable direction for Vector.” said Ms Coom

Suzanne Kendrick, steering committee member has really seen Grey Lynn 2030 grow from strength to strength in the first year of the group. “In only one year we have achieved so much through practical action in our community. We now have about 800 supporters on our contact list. The Grey Lynn Farmers Market is one of our biggest success stories. From one of our monthly meetings volunteers got together to make it happen and after 8 weeks of being open, the market is hugely popular for locals and is already running at a profit. We have other groups focusing on stream restoration, minimising waste, community gardens, traffic calming – all through a shared positive vision to make our community sustainable.” said Ms Kendrick

“If Pippa gets elected – and if the feedback I am receiving is anything to go by it is looking very likely that she will become a new trustee – it will be fantastic way to celebrate Grey Lynn 2030’s first anniversary. It will really show what can be achieved in the community when a group of people decide to make an idea a reality – after all it all comes back to us as a community, we have to appreciate how much power is in the hands of the community if people get into action” said Ms Kendrick.

Safety and Style in numbers – Mass ride takes to the streets of Auckland as part of 350 international day of action

Frocks on Bikes Media Release – 350 Big Bike Ride 24 October 2009.

In Auckland, hundreds of cyclists of every persuasion are expected to attend the 350 Big Bike Ride to promote safe and sustainable transport and to call on world leaders to take bold and immediate steps to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

Frocks on Bikes is supporting the 350 Big Bike Ride with sponsorship coming from Cycle Action Auckland. Frocks On Bikes co-organiser Pippa Coom says “we are encouraging our members to dress up for the 350 Big Bike Ride to show how cycling and style can come together to combat climate change and to highlight the convenience, the fun and the social benefits of cycling as part of normal every-day transport. Cutting carbon emissions by using sustainable transport – of which bikes are a perfect example – is essential for our planet now and in the future”. said Ms Coom

The 350 Big Bike Ride starts at 1.30pm from QEII square and follows an easy and scenic 12 km route from the central city to Takahi Reserve in Mt Eden. Guides will lead the ride, keep all riders together, and provide guidance through major intersections.

The 350 Big Bike Ride is one of over 4500 registered events in 170 countries for the 350 international day of action on 24 October to raise awareness about the number 350, in the lead up to December’s international climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark. Local organisers say the 350 Big Bike Ride and the Day of Climate Action is a chance for everyone in Auckland to be part of this global movement, supporting political leaders to adopt a strong climate treaty.

Ends

Still waiting for your voting documents?

By the end of day 3 of postal voting for the AECT election only 6.78% of eligible voters have returned their voting documents (at the same stage in the 2006 election it was slightly better but still only 9.70%) . Unfortunately a majority of electricity consumers do not know that they are beneficiaries of the Trust or that there is an election going on. Another problem is that in some places the papers have not arrived yet even though they were sent out last Thursday. If you received the $320 dividend from the Trust in September or have moved into Auckland City, Manukau City or Papakura since then and your name is on the power bill you can vote for YOUR Trust.

To chase up voting documents please call Independent Election Services Ltd, on 09 307 7211 or 0800 922 822 and ask for a special voting paper.

Campaign takes a back seat to 350 International Day of Action

My campaign is taking a back seat to raise awareness for the need to take action on climate change and to put all our focus on the most important number in the world right now – 350. 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Scientists measure carbon dioxide in “parts per million” (ppm), so 350ppm is the number humanity needs to get below as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. The International Day of Climate Action on this Saturday 24 October over 3,700 actions will happen around the world, in over 162 countries calling on world leaders to take direct action on climate change.

There are many actions happening around New Zealand that are fun, positive creative. In Auckland I’m part of a team organising the 350 Big Bike Ride, a mass ride for all cyclists from Britomart Square starting at 1.30pm to Takahi Reserve, Mt Eden. My campaign is taking a back seat as we build up to such an important day but I will definitely be out on my campaign bicycle on Saturday calling for action.

The 350 Big Bike on facebook

Find your local action

Checkout www.350.org.nz and join the movement.

Going underground – another reason to vote

Vector holds on to some of its profit to reinvest in the business and to pay for the undergrounding of power lines.

The Trust has an agreement with Vector that commits it to spend over $10m a year replacing power lines and power poles with underground cables.

All AECT trustees were instrumental in bringing about the undergrounding programme, and this is a good example of why you should vote in the upcoming elections, and vote well.

So far, more than 124km of power lines have disappeared underground, and I think that’s great however the Trust needs to speed up the project because it adds value to the network and at current rates it is likely to take 40 years to complete.

Media Release: Voters not aware of their valuable asset

Only 21% of eligible voters cast their votes in the last election for the trustees of the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust in 2006. This low turnout is surprising because the asset of the Trust is worth approximately $1.5 billion – a 75.1% holding in Vector Ltd. The Trust received a $98 million dividend from its shareholding in Vector. The low turnout is because power bill holders are unaware of the fact they are beneficiaries of the Trust and the important role that the trustees play in managing such a sizeable asset on behalf of electricity consumers.

Voting papers will be arriving in mail boxes in the Trust district from Friday 16 October and independent candidate, Ms Coom is taking steps to ensure that voters know about the election by visiting all of the super city–sized voting district over the next two weeks.

“It’s always harder for an independent to get elected but I think it is worthwhile getting out there so that voters know about their Trust, their ownership of a valuable and essential power asset as well as their option to vote for a credible, community focused, non-political candidate as one of the five Trustees” said Ms Coom, a corporate lawyer, most recently at Vector Ltd. “Quite frankly, I have no idea why the political parties are so involved in these kinds of elections – especially for a non-political issue such as electricity supply. I would have thought the main criteria for elect-ability was competence to address relevant issues rather than association with voting blocs” she said.

Trust beneficiaries have recently been paid a dividend of $320 by the Trust but the majority are still confused about where it comes from. Common misconceptions are that the money is paid by retail companies, the defunct power board or even one of the party tickets.

“We are entering a unique period in Auckland’s governance history with the implementation of the super city structure. I think it is vitally important that Auckland’s energy consumers have someone on the board of trustees who is able to think about what is best for their interests without having to follow party allegiances” said Ms Coom.

Trustee fees excessive: what price community service?

Annual fees for the chair of the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust have increased 300% over a 5 year period to 2007/08. The current chair enjoys fees of $91,000 up from $30,000 in 2003. Fees for other Trustees range from $63,000 to $139,000 for a Trustee who is also on the Vector board. Details of fees for 2008/09 will be available in the Trust’s annual report due out later this month. Recently in the Herald the Chair has claimed that there is unlikely to be any variation to the fees but fails to acknowledge that current fees are excessive nor does he raise the possibility that fees should be rolled back.

The Trust needs to attract people with the skills and experience to make decisions in the interests of over 300,000 beneficiaries. A payment to the trustees is reasonable for their time and commitment however it is a part time role on a community trust. The trustees must be willing to serve on the Trust and in recognition of this service accept a level of fees which will not be considered by the community to be excessive or greedy.

Media Release: Style and substance join otherwise dreary election campaign

Over the last couple of weeks Aucklanders have been experiencing a higher level of visual pollution than normal due to the billboards erected by the two party tickets – PowerLynk and Citizens & Ratepayers – standing in the election of 5 trustees to the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust.

Independent candidate Pippa Coom’s billboards, which started going up today, have brought about a welcome relief to an otherwise lacklustre campaign.

“Just because it is an election with a traditionally low vote turn out doesn’t mean hoardings cannot be well designed and complement the urban environment.

My team have produced a really striking billboard that I feel proud to put up around the huge area making up the AECT electorate.” said Ms Coom.

But of course quality design is not enough to win an election, it is critical that there is substance to the message on the billboards – “Putting Community into your trust” .

“It is easy to overlook the fact AECT is a community trust because of the domination of the political parties. I wish to serve on the Trust to bring a truly community focus” said Ms Coom.

All electricity consumers within the AECT district are eligible to vote. The AECT district covers all of the Auckland City Council and Manukau City Council areas and part of the Papakura District Council area. Voting papers will be sent out on 15 October and must be returned no later than 30 October.

Notes:

Photo: Michelle Ardern
Styling: Hair- Leanne, Makeup- Yelena both at Jarvis on Ponsonby Road
Graphic design: Danielle Wilson, Paradigm Design

Pippa is standing with the support of Grey Lynn 2030: transition community