Media Release
Powerlynk – Auckland Energy Consumer Trust
For immediate use
9 October 2009

Auckland regional leaders support Powerlynk

Two of Auckland’s regional leaders have come out in support of the Powerlynk ticket for the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust. Auckland Regional Council Chair Mike Lee and Manukau City Mayor Len Brown have both endorsed Powerlynk’s five candidates standing for the Trust that owns 75% of Vector Energy on behalf of Auckland City, Manukau and northern Papakura residents.

“Aucklanders can trust Shale Chambers and his highly competent team to hold on to our publicly owned power assets and to safeguard the continued payment of the dividend Aucklanders deeply need,” says Mr Lee.

“I support Powerlynk’s focus on keeping Vector in public ownership. We need to retain and develop our public assets for future generations,” says Mr Brown.

Powerlynk candidate and current AECT trustee Shale Chambers says he appreciates the support of regional leaders and understood the importance to Aucklanders of continued public ownership.

“Last week Auckland electricity customers received a $320 cheque or bank direct credit because Vector is publicly owned,” says Mr Chambers.

“If Vector is sold then families won’t receive their dividend again. That’s why Powerlynk candidates are committed to preserving Auckland’s electricity assets in community ownership, and guarantee not to sell those assets or further Vector shares.”

“Our opponents may say they won't privatise, but look at their track record: they part privatised 24.9% of Vector fewer than nine months after the 2003 election, after promising to ‘Keep Vector Public’,” says Mr Chambers.

“The Powerlynk team will work closely with Auckland’s new mayor and council to ensure Vector contributes to Auckland’s future. We are certainly glad to have such high-profile commitment to that vision.”

RELEASE ENDS

For further information contact:
Shale Chambers
Powerlynk Candidate and AECT Trustee
Wk 09 378 6662
Cell 0274 765 284

Election Background:
The Auckland Energy Consumer Trust is made up of elected trustees, who must be electricity consumers living inside the Trust area. There are five trustee positions, to be filled by postal ballot.

Voting papers will be delivered from Thursday, 15 October 2009 and polling closes at 5pm on Friday, 30 October 2009.

The Powerlynk candidates:
Jenny Agnew, JP, B. SocSci, Post Grad Dip E.S.T.N, Dip Tchg, T.T.C. is Managing Director of Pacifica Skin Care Group, supplier to the domestic market and exporter of skin care products. She is also a member of the government’s Small Business Advisory Group, and prior to founding her own business was formerly a Lecturer at the University of Auckland and Head of Department at Western Springs College. Married with children, she lives in Mt Albert.

Shale Chambers, LLB (Auckland) is a Trust and Business Lawyer, and managing director of Ponsonby law practice, ChambersCraigJarvis. He is a 2-term sitting trustee of the Trust first elected in 2003, its former deputy chair, and Trust-appointed Director to the board of Vector Ltd, 2006-2008. He is currently also a director of State-Owned Enterprise, New Zealand Post Ltd owner of Kiwibank, and trustee of Mt Albert Grammar School. He is also a former deputy chair/director of SOE, MetService, and its international energy service subsidiary, Metra Information. He lives in Mt Eden, Auckland with his wife, City Councillor, Glenda Fryer and their family of 4.

David Hay, conjoint BCom, BA (Auckland), M Public Policy with merit (Vic) is a Senior Policy Analyst in the Strategy Department of Manukau City Council, and prior to that had over a decade as a consultant, contractor and project manager in government departments, including the CCMAU unit of NZ Treasury. He is a member of the Green Party national policy committee, and spokesperson on energy issues for the Auckland province. He lives in Grey Lynn, and works in Manukau.

Simon Mitchell, LLB Hons is a Barrister, practicing law in Unity Chambers, and was previously a partner at a city law firm. He is an elected member of the Eden/Albert Community Board of Auckland City, and trustee of Balmoral School. He was a former member of the Land Transport Safety Authority. He lives in Mt Eden, Auckland with his wife, Dr Brigit Carroll and their family of 3.

Kate Sutton, MA (Auckland) is a Public Affairs and Communications Manager for a large New Zealand owned land development and infrastructure company. She is the elected Chair of the Tamaki Community Board of Auckland City, University of Auckland Council alumni elected representative, and a former Commonwealth Study scholarship recipient for young business and community leaders. She lives in Onehunga.

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