Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey has always tried to get his message across in a unique way. That's part of the reason Rewiring Aotearoa has had so much impact, both within Government and at a grassroots level. 

We're a fiercely independent organisation, but we've put a huge amount of work into our policy manifesto and our new campaign is about sharing our vision with as many New Zealanders as possible and then asking them to put pressure on the politicians to make it happen.

Currently, Simon Watts has the ability to make many of the changes we're asking for and his combination of portfolios - Energy, Climate and Local Government - means he has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to set the country up for the future. 

We're laying down a challenge to him (and doing it in a unique way), but we're also laying down a challenge to opposition parties and asking them to make this an issue at the next election.

You can help our cause by sending him your own message. You could endorse our whole manifesto, you could pick out your favourite policies from here, or you could tell your own story about going electric - either about the benefits or the barriers. As always, the more personal, the better. 

Send him a message at Simon.Watts@parliament.govt.nz. 

We’ve also created an email template that anyone - especially the members of our community groups - can use. 

Email template

Dear Minister Simon ‘MegaWatts’ Watts, 

I was inspired to write to you after seeing the recent campaign promoting Rewiring Aotearoa’s policy manifesto. Have you been working out? 

As the Minister of Energy, Climate and Local Government, it’s clear you have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to use your powers for good and set the country up for a cheaper, cleaner and more resilient future. 

As the manifesto shows, more support for electrification and rooftop solar and batteries could save households thousands each year, save the country $29 million a day, slash our emissions, keep the lights on, grow the economy, and help us lead the world. 

As I’m sure you have noticed, our current energy system is expensive, emissions-intensive and vulnerable to shocks and New Zealanders are losing faith in it as quickly as they are losing money. 

I’m involved in [insert community group]. More than 20 of them have been established around the country and we’re working hard to spread the message of savings, emissions reductions and increased resilience. It’s a message that’s resonating and the transition is happening, but it’s not happening as fast as it should, or for the people who need it most.  

There are still plenty of barriers in the way and that’s why we’re asking you to:

• Have a compelling electrification vision and strategy to achieve this vision.
• Empower New Zealanders to electrify through accessible finance and better information.
• Invest in accelerating electrification so New Zealand can reap the full rewards.
• Push for fair rewards for customers making energy.
• Get rid of unnecessary red tape and modernise the rules.

MegaWatts, your combination of portfolios offers a unique opportunity to do something big that will benefit all New Zealanders. I'm asking you and your trusty sidekicks in the Coalition government to do as much of this as possible while you still have the reins. And I’m asking all opposition parties to increase their own ambition ahead of the 'electric election' next year if they want to get those reins back.

As Mike Casey asked in his introduction to the manifesto: who are you here for? We have talked about the problems and it’s clear they won’t be solved by fiddling around the edges. We need stronger political leadership to bring the vision to life, overcome the barriers and make the benefits available to everyone. You could provide that leadership. 

Yours electrically, 

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[Insert name]

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