Make your Hutt Mana trust vote count

Two veteran energy activists are urging voters to take a close interest in the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust (HMCT).

Dick Werry and Molly Melhuish were highly critical of the privatisation of electricity networks in the 1990s and remain convinced it was a major mistake.

When voting papers went out, it is a good bet that most people did not take much interest in the HMCT.

Werry and Melhuish believed that was a big mistake and that in fact there were 35 million reasons why we should all think carefully about the trust and who we vote for. The trust has total assets of $35 million, with trustees coming from Lower Hutt (2), Upper Hutt (1), Porirua (1) and Wellington (1).

When electricity was privatised money from the sale was initially held by the Energy/Direct Community Trust, which later became the HMCT.

The focus was then very much on supporting energy efficiency but in 2003 the trust decided to pay out $130 million to electricity customers across the region. For people living in Lower Hutt, that meant a cheque for $1500 each. It also gave $38mto the HMCT.

The focus of the HMCT is much wider than the trusts that preceded it but it still refers to energy efficiency in the trust deed. Their vision is to support ‘‘energy efficient communities’’ and that is where things get a bit complicated.

The deed refers to using the proceeds for ‘‘energy related purposes’’ and for ‘‘other’’ charitable purposes.

The 2016 Annual Report shows that community groups received $596,000, energy efficiency projects $540,000 and the five trustees received $94,500.

Benefactors included the Bandolier Marching Club, Mary Potter Hospice, the National Rifle Association and the Sri Lankan Dance Academy.

Melhuish believed the trust had wondered too far from its initial focus on energy efficiency. In an ideal world, she would like to see all the remaining money used for energy projects.

She favoured subsidising heat pumps, efficient wood burners and insulation. That is why she wanted everyone to think carefully about who they voted for this week. Ideally, she said, look for trustees with a background in the energy sector and an interest in making houses warmer, drier and cheaper to heat.

Werry argued privatisation had seen the cost of electricity skyrocket and the money should have been used to keep the infrastructure in public hands. With only $35 million left in its coffers, he said the HMCT could no longer play a role in that area and he saw little point in its continued existence.