FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25th MAY 2008
TECT Candidate Calls for Return of TrustPower Income to help Struggling Families.
With skyrocketing prices and families struggling, it’s even more imperative for TECT to return its income to TrustPower
customers, says Mark Groos, standing in the TrustPower Energy Consumer Trust (TECT) elections.
“There have been recent media reports that the average New Zealand family is going into the red simply to cover every
day expenses.
“In this climate, it’s critical that TrustPower customers are able to choose for themselves how their money is spent -
not TECT,” Mark Groos believes.
He says the money would provide a welcome financial boost for many families. “If the TECT Board gives all your
TrustPower money back, your TECT rebate cheque will be greater than $450.00.”
Mark Groos says that in TECT’s own words, the Trust is a major business with assets and income greater than many listed
companies. But he says that questions must be asked over the board’s decisions on how to spend TECT’s income from
TrustPower shares.
Last year the current TECT Board members paid $2.5 million dollars of TrustPower customers’ money to the Western Bay of
Plenty Council . Would you have voted to have this hidden rates increase?
Equally concerning, is that TECT gave a quarter of a million dollars of TrustPower customers’ money to a Tennis Club in
Te Puke but only $1391 to plunket .
“Are these balanced decisions? If you had the choice, would you have allowed TECT to give a Tennis Club 180 times more
money than they gave to Plunket.? Is it fair that TrustPower customers – who already pay rates - pay $2.5 million extra
to the Council? ”
“Should TrustPower customers pay $4 million for a swimming pool the whole community benefits from? Tauranga has
arguably, more than enough public swimming pools.”
Mark Groos says that if elected, he will join forces with two other trustees who share his ‘return your money to you’
view. He says that a vote for him will provide some real impetus for change, by giving his camp 50% of the TECT board
votes, and therefore some real voting power. The Trust is governed by six Trustees who are elected by consumers for
4-year terms.
Mark Groos says he would bring strong management skills to the TECT board. I am a local business owner and Chief
Executive Officer of the Institute of Accredited Business Consultants. I have been CEO of IABC for less than three
months and I have already: increased standards, lowered operating costs, and delivered more benefits to the institute’s
stakeholders. I can apply these skills on the TECT board.
“To sum up, my message to voters is if you want TECT to adopt a: no- nonsense, no waste, effective business approach to
maximise your and the community’s, returns, please vote for me.”
Mark Groos is standing for the board on a platform which urges an open and honest approach
ENDS