Newmarket Business Association
10 August 2006
Still time to turn around Vector’s 'annus horribilis'
The organisation that represents the Newmarket business district has tonight said there’s still time for one prominent
Newmarket business to turn around its rapidly decaying public image.
It suggests Vector, as a goodwill gesture, somehow reaches out to its commercial clients after it was discovered by the
Commerce Commission that it has in fact been overcharging businesses in recent years.
The Newmarket Business Association describes 2006 as Vector’s 'annus horribilis' particularly when it comes to its
relationship with its commercial clients.
Cameron Brewer, head of the Newmarket Business Association, says commercial clients have had to endure a major double
whammy from the local electricity lines company this winter.
“It’s been a tough winter for business and they are feeling even sicker after learning that Vector has been overcharging
industrial and commercial customers after abusing its monopolistic position.
This comes hard on the heels of another public relations disaster for the Newmarket-based company.
“The Vector Promise dictates that if businesses lose power for more than two and a half hours Vector will deliver a $200
credit. However following the 12 June Auckland power black-out, Vector refused to come to the party leaving a sour taste
in many commercial clients’ mouths.
“Businesses are hoping that they’ll be undercharged in the coming years to make up for the recent years of over
charging. But in the meantime, Vector needs to deliver more than just reassuring words.
“Given its terrible run of publicity and customer relations, some minor credit or at the least some acknowledgement is
long over due. That would go down really well with businesses this winter. I urge their PR department to put out some
kind of olive branch and quickly,” said Mr Brewer.
ENDS