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The free Expo at Annesbrook Event Centre brought together just over 830 people, with a packed programme featuring 19 speakers and facilitators and 21 exhibitors, alongside electric machinery big and small – from Isaac Construction’s diggers, loaders and rollers and re:generations’ electric tractor, to electric hand tools and garden equipment. There was also an electric bus, EV test drives, an eBike try-out area, food trucks and a sustainably powered bouncy castle. 

Early feedback shows strong demand for practical information about electrification. 

84% of visitors surveyed rated the Expo 4.5 out of 5, while their average self-rated knowledge of electrifying a home or business increased by 18% after attending. 

The event also appears to have translated interest into intended action. 

47% of visitors surveyed said they intended to get quotes for or install solar within the next six months, while others planned to investigate batteries, financing, EV charging, heat pumps, electric vehicles and electric appliances. 

Solar and battery information was the most commonly identified valuable part of the Expo, followed by meeting local installers and suppliers, the speaker programme, and the opportunity to speak directly with experts.

Visitors also left more likely to advocate for electrification themselves, with their average likelihood of recommending electrification to friends or whānau increasing by 12% after attending the Expo. 

Feedback from exhibitors was similarly strong, with 96% rating their overall satisfaction with the Expo four or five out of five. 

Collectively, exhibitors reported at least 330 potential customer leads generated through the event. 

Expo Event Leader Tony Stephens said the turnout reflected the range of reasons people are becoming interested in electrification. 

“Some people came looking for ways to reduce their power or fuel bills, some wanted to reduce their emissions, and others simply wanted to see the technology for themselves, try things out and hear from people who know this space. 

“What was really encouraging was seeing people move between those conversations – talking directly with local businesses and experts, comparing technologies and costs, and leaving with a much clearer idea of what could work for them. 

“Feedback tells us this wasn’t just a good day out. People learned something, made connections and, in many cases, are now planning their next step.” 

The Expo itself was designed to put some of the principles it was promoting into practice. 

The event was fully powered by renewable energy, while waste was actively minimised through reusable serviceware washed on site by Wash Against Waste / Waste No More Nelson Whakatū, dedicated recycling facilities, borrowed and hired equipment, and reusable, non-date-specific signage. 

Stephens said the event was a significant collective effort, made possible by the businesses, organisations and people who backed it with funding, expertise, products, services and time. 

Electrify Nelson acknowledged the support of Rewiring Aotearoa, Nelson City Council, GOLD/LASH, Daikin, Harrisons Solar, Lightforce Solar, Think Solar, CopyArt, NBS and Network Tasman, alongside the many exhibitors, speakers and volunteers who contributed to the event. 

Pic’s Peanut Butter hosted the pre-Expo gathering for exhibitors, speakers and volunteers, as well as providing prizes for the visitor and exhibitor surveys. Hybrid Bikes and Goover provided the Goover lift-free bike rack prize package, which helped drive early registrations and interest in the Expo.

“An event like this only happens because a lot of people decide to get behind it,” Stephens said. “There was an enormous amount of goodwill, generosity and practical support that went into making the day happen, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part.” 

What next? 

While the Electrify Nelson team works through the full visitor and exhibitor feedback to help shape future events and activities, they’re also turning their attention to what comes next. 

One immediate opportunity is the return to Nelson of Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey, who was scheduled to headline the Expo but was unable to attend on the day. 

Casey will speak at two Nelson events on Wednesday 2 September. In the morning, he will speak at a free Westpac Smarts session hosted by the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce at Tides Hotel from 10.45am–12pm. 

Westpac Smarts: Mike Casey – Rewiring Aotearoa 

That evening, he will speak at “Electrify your home or business – Save thousands”, from 7–9.30pm, with tickets available through Humanitix. 

Electrify your home or business – Save thousands 

“The Expo was never intended to be an end point,” Stephens said. “It was about helping people see what’s possible, make the right connections and take the next step. Mike’s visit gives people another opportunity to keep that conversation going – and we’re putting our heads together about what comes next for Electrify Nelson.” 

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The cumulative spend on fossil fuels for households across the Nelson region is: 

● $430k a day / $160m p/yr 

● Incl. $240k a day / $87m p/yr – at the fuel pump 

The savings opportunity for electrifying households across the Nelson region is: 

● $7.3k p/yr (excl. upfront costs) / $3k p/yr (incl. upfront costs) p/household ● $570k p/day cumulatively 

● $210m p/yr cumulatively 

● $1b net by 2040 cumulatively 

Jobs + emissions: 

● 970 local jobs could be created through electrification – 1 new job for every 58 residents 

● 130k tonnes CO₂e p/yr potential emissions avoided – the equivalent of 890k Auckland to Queenstown one-way passenger flights p/yr 

Still to electrify across the Nelson region: 

159k fossil-fuel machines: 

● 44k space heaters 

● 43k vehicles

● 39k gas cooktops 

● 33k water heaters 

What one switch can save over a lifetime (incl. upfront costs): 

● $9.1K – LPG instant water heater → hot water heat pump 

● $16.7K – LPG flued heater → heat pump 

● $19.1K – LPG heater fire → heat pump 

● $1.6K – LPG cooktop → induction cooktop 

● $12.5K – petrol medium SUV → electric vehicle 

● $14.8K – diesel ute → electric ute 

Data sourced from Electric Homes & Vehicles (Rewiring Aotearoa, 2026) report.

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Electrify Nelson is a local advocacy group initiated by Rewiring Aotearoa, which helps households, farms and businesses transition from expensive fossil fuels to affordable, locally generated electricity. 

Electrification can reduce energy costs, improve resilience and strengthen New Zealand’s energy independence, while also lowering emissions and increasing efficiency. 

Through events, education and community engagement, Electrify Nelson is helping people understand the opportunities electrification presents and the practical steps they can take towards an electric future. The Electrify Nelson Expo is part of this effort, bringing local businesses, experts and practical solutions together in one place. It follows a precedence of similar expos run by the Electrification brand – through Rewiring Aotearoa – across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. 

Read more about Electrify Nelson 

About Rewiring Aotearoa 

Founded in 2024, Rewiring Aotearoa is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation that has quickly become a leading voice for electrification in New Zealand, helping to shape national conversations and policy on energy, transport and emissions reduction.

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