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Brian Rogers Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz |
Voting papers arrived for the TECT elections this week, signalling to many local folk that it's time to make that difficult decision again: do I recognise any of the names on this paper?
It's odd that so many entrust so much with people they hardly know. But help is at hand. RR Researchers have done all the hard work for you. By the time you've read this, you will know exactly how to decide who to vote for. Or have fallen asleep on the couch.
But firstly, here are a few things you should know about TECT, the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust. Stay with me here, it's kinda important. TECT manages the energy assets that belong to the consumers. Eighty per cent of the net proceeds of the energy trust's operations are distributed back to you, about 60,000 shareholders. That's why most of you get a cheque in the mail each year.
The rest of the dosh, the remaining 20 per cent, (which is also technically yours, but generously donated on your behalf to worthy causes) is divvied up amongst deserving community groups. The trust is governed by six trustees, elected for four years. Their term is staggered, so there's an election for half the board who retire, every two years.
So effectively, there's a rotating gang of people paid to give away some of your cash.
There are a few things I believe matter:
The RR view is that it's important the board works cohesively. That has not happened well in the past. There's been the odd rogue in there, rocking the boat. So consider candidates that are going to work as a team, not bicker over fundamentals.
Also avoid those who appear to have pet projects. They cannot hope to be objective nor avoid a conflict of interest when making decisions about the direction of your money; no matter how good their promises, or stated intentions. You can guarantee that a candidate who has spent three decades searching for sasquatch is probably going to push pretty hard when it comes to the funding application from the Save Bigfoot Foundation.
Secondly, it's experience and business skills that matter. It's all very nice to have been a scout leader for 25 years. That will help you build a bivouac if you are lost in the Kaimais. But it won't necessarily help make wise decisions with our money.
Look for candidates with sound business, legal and high-level teamwork skills. We are electing a multi-million dollar business board, not a netball coach.
Also don't be suckered into voting for a name, just because you recognise it. That's how Italy ended up with a former porn star as an MP, infamous for making speeches with one boob hanging out. Just because you're a household name, doesn't mean you know how to wisely distribute millions to worthy community groups.
Finally, be aware of people who appear to be professional bludgers. Those who are only capable of sucking off the public tit. Look for individuals who have made a success of generating and wisely using their own resources, not everyone else's. Those who are standing not because they need to, but want to make positive and sensible decisions to better the community.
That's it. You know what to do. Vote, have your say, it's easy and can be done online or through the old fashioned postal system.
If you don't vote, don't complain about the result. You've only yourself to blame when your bivouac is torn down by an under-funded sasquatch.
Just a second
Those who felt the weekend dragged on a little will be pleased to know, it did.
On Sunday, the people in charge of time decided we needed to have a leap second. This is just like a leap year, only quite a bit shorter.
If any single womenfolk out there were taking advantage of the peculiar aspects of the leap second, by a proposal to their menfolk, they'd have to talk awfully fast.
'Darling, would….”
'I'm sorry sweetness, your time is up.”
So with an extra second in your weekend, I hope you spent it wisely. Not like that extra hour at the end of daylight saving, when I know that a lot of you simply frittered it away by sleeping in, or reading puerile and gratuitous newspaper columns.
Parting shot
Thanks to RR Senior Research Advisor, Wally:
Just imagine...if you had purchased $1000 of shares in Air New Zealand one year ago, you would have $49 today. If you had purchased $1000 of shares in the AA one year ago, you would have $33 today.
If you had purchased $1000 of shares in South Canterbury Finance one year ago, you would have $0.00 today.
But, if you had purchased $1000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminium cans for recycling refund, you would have received $214.00.
Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily and recycle. It is called the Kiwi Saver-Keg.
A recent study found that the average Kiwi walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that Kiwis drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year.
That means that, on average, Kiwis get about 41 miles to the gallon.
Makes you damned proud to be a Kiwi!