Tag: Emma McInnes

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.

Why new leadership is needed on Entrust.

How to fix Auckland

Sir Bob Harvey asked me to contribute to a  Metro magazine feature “How To Fix  Auckland”.   The brief: 250 words on a “wild crazy and if necessary wise take on vision and dreams for our future”
Bob and Hayden Donnell have brought together “22 of Auckland’s opinion leaders to share ideas for reshaping the future (and adding their own 2 cents, too)”
Here is my contribution
Freedom and adventure for Auckland’s children on a connected city network

I’ve heard Bob Harvey tell the story of when as a teenager he first rode his bike from Newton Gully all the way out to Karekare, the beginning of a lifelong love affair with his favourite place.  His bicycle gave him the keys to the city, and a freedom he could take for granted.

My “wild and crazy” idea is that this should be an everyday reality for every child and young person in Tāmaki Makaurau right now, rather than a fond memory or a future dream. They deserve what young Bob enjoyed: the sheer joy of jumping on a bike and pedalling until you find a beach.

And when our youth can just as easily ride to kura, the playground, local shops and after-school jobs, we’ll have fixed Auckland in a multitude of ways.

The good news: we have the blueprint, knowledge and resources to make this vision a reality. We also have the public support. In every survey ever done, two out of three Aucklanders back a bikeable city, and with deeper discussion – as in a recent Koi Tū citizens’ assembly – it rises to 85%!

As every place where youngsters bike in large numbers has discovered, the deciding factor isn’t hills or weather. The not-so-secret sauce is simply a connected citywide network, just like the one drivers enjoy, and yes including the Auckland Harbour Bridge!

This dream is achievable today, if three key players play along:

  • Auckland Transport acts on the Mayor’s direction to find low-cost opportunities to complete the cycling network.

  • Councillors hold firm on their unanimous commitments to “supercharge walking and cycling” and build a city children can independently get around.

  • Government gets “back to basics” by investing in affordable active transport.

The rewards go far beyond empowering our kids. We’ll also solve congestion, improve health and well-being, ensure greater equity and access, and lock in cleaner air and fewer emissions. To me, what’s wild and crazy is that anyone’s still dithering on this great deal!

Illustration:  James Stewart