Electric Island

Introduction

Electric Island Waiheke (EIW) is a charitable trust formed in October 2018, as a result of a concerned group of islanders wanting to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles on the island and get rid of the pollution, noise and cost of diesel and petrol powered engines.

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Electric Island Waiheke was launched officially on 30 November 2018 with the stated goal of making Waiheke fossil-fuel-free by 2030. Electric Island Waiheke is governed by a charitable trust.

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We are already a long way towards this ambitious goal.

Electric Island Waiheke is recognised officially by the Waiheke Local Board.


Our Vision

​Our vision for Waiheke is for an island free of the pollution, noise, emissions and costs of petrol, hybrid (non plug-in), and diesel engines.

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We believe this can be achieved by encouraging moves now to an all-electric future.

Our vision is to achieve this by 2030.

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Coupled with this is our parallel vision for energy self-sufficiency using solar and wind generation to reduce and then replace our reliance on the cable from the mainland.


Significant Interest Groups

Each Significant Interest Group (SIGs) consists of several members of the board plus added members:

  • Eric Pilling (chair)

  • Vern Whitehead (deputy chair)

  • Max Parkin

  • Don Sheridan

  • John Mead

  • Betsy Whitehead (acting secretary)

  • Rob Taylor

  • Duncan Styles

John Mead - Events SIG

John began life in the market gardening community of Pukekohe and Bombay, South Auckland. After qualifying as a diesel mechanic in the early 1960s, John embarked on his OE, an activity that lasted 8 years, covering many countries, the last three years of which were spent in Toronto, Canada after marrying Diana in Maine, USA.

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Since returning to New Zealand in 1970 he and Diana spent 30 years living in Whangarei where John was involved in a number of activities, mainly in people management (human resources) and sales (commercial real estate).

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After moving to Auckland in 2001 because of Diana’s involvement in tertiary education, John continued his real estate career on the North Shore until retiring in 2010.

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In 2016 John and Diana moved to Waiheke having sold their city home and commenced building a new home on their Palm Beach property that they had owned since 2003.Community activities have always been of interest. Both John and Diana are volunteers on the Garden to Table programme at Te Huruhi School and in early 2020 John was invited to join the Electric Island Waiheke team, a demanding role as the island becomes more involved in alternative energy, particularly electric vehicles.

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Have an Idea?

Do you have an idea you are passionate about?

Start or join a team?

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Discuss with Eric Pilling 021 155 186 or eric.pilling@electricisland.co.nz


Members - "Heroes of the Electric revolution"

Annual membership fee: Individual $10 or Family $20

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For this “Heroes” get:

  1. Recognition as part of Waiheke’s move to a fossil-fuel-free future by 2030.

  2. A certificate showing that they are one of the foundation “Heroes” - limited to first 1000 EV owners or Solar installation owners on Waiheke.

  3. Approval to display the “Heroes of the Electric Revolution” membership logo in print, social media and websites.

  4. A photo listing on www.electric.island.co.nz of the “Hero/es” with their EV or Solar installation.

  5. Free monthly electronic “Heroes” newsletters.

  6. Opportunity to participate in Electric Island Waiheke events - see the Event Page

  7. The opportunity to buy and sell anything electrical through our “Classifieds” section on this website

  8. Reduced rates for subscriptions to EVs & Beyond magazine (50% off - $57 + gst for one year)

  9. Subsidised rates for EVs& Beyond annual two-day conference at the Waiheke Island Resort - see Events for dates – includes gala dinner, lunches, morning and afternoon teas $295 (usual price $495).

  10. The feeling of satisfaction that “Heroes” are participating in a movement sweeping the world – and that Waiheke will be a more beautiful place with dirty diesels and petrol motors replaced with quiet, non-polluting and cost-saving electric vehicles and equipment.

Complete Form (below) to apply for membership of Electric Island Waiheke -

“HEROES OF THE ELECTRIC REVOLUTION”