2.8.16

The Editor, North Shore Times.

Dear Sir/Madam.   Letter to the Editor: The Auckland Energy Consumer’s Trust .

I am puzzled why the Auckland Energy Consumers’ Trust (ENTRUST) pays annual dividends of between $150 – $300 to only those consumers living in the former local body areas of Auckland, Manukau and Papakura.

Before the Electricity ‘reforms,’ these were the areas served by Auckland Electric Power Board. But things are different now. The AEP Board’s successor, Vector, now serves and draws its revenue and profits from the whole Auckland region. Most of us contribute to that income, but only the privileged group in the former local body areas get a payout.

This is curious because the Trust Deed states:

‘ “Local Authorities means the Auckland City Council,the Manukau City Council, and the Papakura District Council, and/or any successor or successors of the same which shall have the responsibility for carrying out the primary local government functions discharged as at the date hereof by those Councils.” ’

Doesn’t this mean that ALL customers in the Auckland region under the Auckland Council should now benefit?

If so, why do not all Vector consumers in the Auckland Council area (including North Shore) get a payout? Or are the rest of us supposed to go on subsidising those of the former three local authority areas?