After the last election in 2020, the incoming trustees reinstated discounts to consumers. However, this necessitated a significant reallocation of funding away from community grants into discounts.

 

The MORE team believes that there is a place for discounts and will maintain and in fact increase discounts if elected.

 

However, having worked in the philanthropic sector for over a decade, the MORE members have had the privilege of working closely with many community organisations. These groups have told us that the massive shift of funds away from grants has caused serious hardship in the community, especially over the last three years.

 

The MORE team believes that the trust needs to urgently restore funding to the community, and without reducing the discounts that the consumers have overwhelmingly voted to approve.

 

Can Discounts and Grants be Increased Simultaneously?

Fortunately, this seemingly unattainable situation is made possible thanks to the recent sale of UFF by WEL at a profit of $200m (https://www.welenergytrust.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WEL-NETWORKS-SALE-OF-UFF-HOLDINGS-LTD-GOES-UNCONDITIONAL.pdf).

 

The MORE team wants to tap into just 10-20% of the capital windfall to increase both discounts as well as community grants. This will enable the trust to increase discounts but more importantly increase grants so that the balance between the two groups is more even (moving the equation of funding from 1:2 in favour of discounts to closer to 1:1).

 

This will have minimal impact on WEL Networks' financial performance due to their substantial cash reserves and minimal debt.

 

Given the economic and social hardships of the last three years and the looming economic headwinds, we believe that the current community deserves at least a small share of the massive windfall today.

 

Members of MORE Team

The MORE team has been formed by four successful leaders in business and community who decided that they want to dedicate their energies and skills to making a real difference to the community they live in.

 

These four people are:

 

 

Alan Chew

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I left abject poverty in Malaysia to come to live in Hamilton in 1975 where I founded 37-year-old, 35-strong Houston Technology Group. At the beginning of the pandemic, I led my team to prototype the NZ Covid Tracer App before gifting the design to the nation (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/127974800/covid-qr-tracer-work-a-gift-to-the-nation).

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I was a trustee on Trust Waikato for 8 years and am current trustee of WEL Energy Trust for 3 years, a Fellow Chartered Accountant and current and former director of several companies.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-chew-b4961a3/

 

Edgar Wilson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have had the privilege of serving the community as the former Chair of K’aute Pasifika Trust and Trust Waikato. Presently I am the Chair of Child Matters and David Johnstone Charitable Trust Scholarships, all of which have provided me with extensive experience working with diverse communities.

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My passion lies in giving a hand up to those communities who are identified as being at risk. In my recent work as a Census Collector, I came across many families financially struggling. I took the time to listen to their stories and provided them, where I could, with appropriate support, such as connecting them with local resources.

 

I am excited to bring my experience and passion to the WEL Energy Trust and continue making a positive impact in the community.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgar-wilson-42aa462/

 

Natasha Harvey

 

 

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I enjoy using business expertise to support outcomes that benefit our community.  As a Chartered Accountant with close to 20 years commercial experience and over ten years’ experience working in board roles across the philanthropic sector.

 

CFO Feisst Group, Trustee of Student Residence Trust Aotearoa, Trustee (past Chair) Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust, Fellow Chartered Accountant, Chartered Member Institute of Directors, Institute of Directors Branch Committee Member, NZ Council Member for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

 

https://nz.linkedin.com/in/natasha-harvey-a758134a

 

Rachel Afeaki

 

 

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I bring 25 years of extensive governance leadership and balance from business and not for profit community organisations. I encourage 'diversity of thought' and lived experience discussions purposed to ensure all our communities thrive and are celebrated.

 

I am a business owner and professional director/trustee for various organisations including Chairperson of the Waikato Pacific Business Network, Independent Director for Habitat for Humanity NZ, Trustee for Activate Education Group, Deputy Chair of Ember Wellbeing Trust, and immediate past Chairperson of the Waikato Women's Fund.  I am also a Chartered member of Institute of Directors.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-afeaki-taumoepeau-cminstd-6b335b48/

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Contact

If you have any questions please contact:

 

Alan                (027) 578 3860            or alan@houston.co.nz.

Edgar              (027) 222 2461            or edgargwilson@gmail.com

Natasha          (027) 571-4596            or natasha.harvey@xtra.co.nz

Rachel             (021) 373 223              or rachel.afeaki@facenorth.co.nz

 

Enquiries page

 

 

Authorised by Alan Chew, alan@houston.co.nz (027) 578 3860