The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
The Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards are always inspiring - and we all need a bit of that right now. Whether it's doing brain research, restoring bird life, or helping kids in Palestine, everyone on the stage last night had 'their thing'. Electric Orchardist Mike Casey's thing is energy and the Rewiring Aotearoa CEO was awarded the sustainability leader of the year award for working tirelessly to ensure more of it is created in New Zealand.
Our reliance on imported energy has come into sharp relief in recent weeks as we battle rising oil prices. he has shown that it's not just possible, but profitable, to run his business with electric machines that are fuelled with cheaper, cleaner New Zealand made energy and he thinks New Zealand could become a lighthouse for the rest of the world to follow.
Sir Rod Drury, who took out the New Zealander of the Year Award, is also focused on energy and he has a similarly bold vision, so we look forward to this 'power couple' doing more together in the future.
As the winner's blurb summarised, "Casey's pioneering use of 21 electric farm machines, powered by solar and New Zealand’s renewable grid, has cut emissions by around 50 tonnes each year while saving tens of thousands in energy costs – a model that’s inspired farmers and innovators across the country.
Now as CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, Mike is scaling that impact nationally. In just two years, he’s turned the energy think-and-do tank into a ground-up movement, raising millions in philanthropic funding and building a team of leading experts to make electrification practical, affordable, and exciting for New Zealanders.
Tens of thousands of New Zealanders now know Mike’s story and Rewiring’s message through their relentless advocacy, storytelling, and evidence-based leadership and a general desire for a better future for our nation.
Mike has shifted the national conversation on climate from one of sacrifice to one that's an exciting opportunity – showing that a cleaner energy future means a lower cost of living for whānau and a far better economic outlook for our country and everyone who calls our beautiful country home."
Congratulations to Mike and all the other winners, finalists and semi-finalists for your important work. See the winners here.
'Twas the night before Chris-mas, and all through the house, all the voters were stirring, the pundits showing their nous … the election will soon be over, but the energy crisis won't, so we'll be there to pester whoever is in power about the need to run more of the economy on New Zealand-made energy; can Ethiopia's aggressive push for EVs work and how does New Zealand compare in terms of adoption rates?; a two-way charging trial from Genesis shows promise in Auckland, but there's still a way to go before it's mainstream; small electric vehicles are often overlooked when it comes to electrifying transport, but it's hard to miss this weird French one; a solar-powered cafe (and some electric coffee); and we endorse the political vandalism of Keith of All Trades.
Read moreDownloadPoliticians are being urged to adopt stronger electric vehicle incentives ahead of the election. Climate and energy advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa is arguing that EVs are one of the most effective long-term solutions for rising transport and energy costs. They're promoting an EV Salary Boost proposal, which would allow workers to access EVs through pre-tax salary arrangements – similarly to already existing schemes in the UK and Australia. Policy and Government Relations Spokesperson Ngaio Neumegen told Kerre Woodham that even with the rising cost of power, it's still cheaper to run an EV than a car running on imported fuel.
A proposal that would let New Zealanders lease an electric car using their before-tax pay has not won a commitment from either National or Labour, with the 7 November election days away. Under the EV Salary Boost, put forward by Rewiring Aotearoa and Drive Electric, an employee would lease a new or used EV for three to five years. The payments would come out of their pay before tax, lowering the cost of running the car. The idea is based on Australia’s novated leasing system, though the groups say they are not proposing a direct copy.
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