One of the lowest-polling ballots in New Zealand politics opens today - although voters have already had cash in hand from some of those wanting to get elected.
Voting papers for the community-owned Auckland Electricity Consumers Trust, which owns 75 per cent of electricity lines company Vector, will be sent out today. Just 16 per cent of voters cast a ballot in 2009.
The incumbents are promising continued management which saw a $320 payment posted out to consumers just a few weeks ago. The Citizen & Ratepayers team, which has all five positions on the trust, picks up $343,000 for its stewardship. Two trustees pick up a further $95,000 each for sitting on the Vector board.
It is facing a challenge from Your Power Team, which is promising to slash trustee payments and introduce greater openness. It accuses the trustees of being "arrogant, unaccountable and careless" with shareholder money.
