KEY POINTS:
Vector customers in parts of Auckland will get some relief from rising food and electricity costs with the payment of a $320 dividend from today.
Up to 305,000 customers will receive the money either as a payout or credited to their power bill in the next week as part of the annual payout to beneficiaries of the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust, Vector's majority shareholder.
Trust chairman Warren Kyd says maintaining the return for all customers in what has been a challenging year reflects a solid performance from Vector. He acknowledged that many people _ from business owners to the average working person _ would be appreciative of the return for different reasons.
"Retailers and people on low wages _ they're having a really hard time, [so] I think the dividend will be very welcome ..."
This year sees an increase of around 3,000 beneficiaries, with last year's customers receiving the same dividend amount, totalling up to $90 million.
Mr Kyd said customers who had held an account up until August 10 would receive the dividend, while those who had recently changed address would also be able to claim.
