Looking for lower bills? Keen for cleaner air? Seeking more self-sufficiency? Want to help your community? Then it’s time to go electric. That’s the message a new community group called Electrify Wānaka is pushing as part of its mission to accelerate the region’s transition to renewable electricity. 

Our lights, dishwashers and ovens might be electric, but there are still a lot of households in the region that use gas for water heating, space heating and cooking and petrol and diesel for driving. Through a combination of education, events and advocacy, the new group hopes to show the community the many benefits of upgrading to electric equivalents.   

Pierre Marasti, who has taken on the role of secretary, went fully electric six years ago. 

“Our household has one electric vehicle, electric hot water, electric heating and rooftop solar plus a battery system. While there are upfront costs attached, we are now in a situation where our energy is free. I want to share our experience so the whole community can reap the benefits of electrification: a better economy, better health and a better environment. That’s why we started Electrify Wānaka.” 

He has long advocated for changes that would help reduce emissions, but going electric isn’t just an environmental argument anymore. It now wins the economic argument in most cases. 

“That’s why we’re optimistic about electrification as a solution to climate change. We are in a position now where it is not only technically possible to achieve this, but it has become the best cure to the cost of living crisis because these electric machines are so much cheaper over their lifetime, even when you build in the upfront costs and interest.” 

Fellow founding member Jonathan Holmes has also electrified his life.

“We installed a solar system on our old house probably about 7 or 8 years ago, and we started asking ourselves ‘if we make our own power, why do we need to pay someone else for gas to run the cooker and hot water?’ Then when the opportunity came up to build a new house we went all in on everything being electric from the start. From the induction hob to the heat pump for heating and hot water to the electric vehicles that are charged by cheap solar, it’s been great for us.”

He is excited about the opportunity to share his story and the research of Rewiring Aotearoa with other locals.

“Who doesn’t want to learn more about saving money? Wānaka, New Zealand's first all-electric town?"

Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey is stoked to see the new group start up in Wānaka, which is just down the road from his all-electric cherry orchard near Cromwell.

“The Southern Lakes region already has one of the highest per capita ownership rates of electric vehicles and rooftop solar installations in New Zealand, which is positive, but it’s still a small percentage overall, so we need to rapidly increase those adoption rates."

He says Rewiring Aotearoa’s research has proved that New Zealand has reached the electrification tipping point where electric machines are cheaper over the lifetime than fossil fuel machines, but trusted advisors in the community who can share knowledge, answer questions and help people navigate the process of electrifying are essential. 

“We also need people who put pressure on the local decision makers to ensure electrification is prioritised as the main focus of the region’s emissions reductions.”

Marasti says the group will be running information stands outside major retailers and at markets in Wānaka in the coming months (the first one is scheduled for Thursday 19th December at New World Three Parks so you can learn how to save money on energy that you could be spending on Christmas presents).

“We’re also planning our first large-scale community event next year and it’s hoped it will be similar to the recent Electrify Wairarapa event that featured expert speakers and a public expo with local businesses that are onboard with the mission.”

Once established, the group will also look to submit to council and local utilities and ensure the playing field is level for customers. 

“There are also plenty of opportunities to work with businesses, schools and other community facilities that want to speed up this transition and if there are any locals keen on funding some of these initiatives, we’d love to hear from them.”

• If you are interested in becoming part of the group and helping with the mission, get in touch via Facebook or email electrify.wanaka@gmail.com. 
• For interview and image/graph requests, contact electrify.wanaka@gmail.com.