In a Newsroom piece on how to fight against 'eco-paralysis', Dr Niki Harré says people are more likely to take part in something when they believe “we are in this together”. Individual actions are also about "more than material impact; they help to build a collective culture where broader change becomes possible". And that's what is happening with the grassroots electrification movement.

Electrify the Hutt, an expo that was organised by a committed bunch of locals and was inspired by the Electrify Wairarapa event last year, attracted almost 1300 people to the Lower Hutt Town Hall. Attendees were there to hear from experts, see the latest electric tech (including a massive loader), get their questions answered, and even eat a few pikelets cooked by an EV.

It was the largest and most ambitious community electrification event we’ve seen so far and it has definitely set a blueprint for other community groups to follow.

The exit survey saw a huge shift in people moving from 'not sure' about home electrification to feeling more confident after attending the event and, as Rewiring Aotearoa's Mike Casey and Jay Salzke say, it was an honour to be able to provide support to make it happen.

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