Vector’s schools programme
Teaching kids about energy use and keeping them safe.
Improving public safety and developing young minds is something we're both committed to and passionate about at Vector, which is why we work closely with primary and intermediate schools to teach kids how to stay safe around our networks and assets, and how to use energy efficiently.
Our award-winning 'Stay Safe around Electricity' and 'Be Sustainable with Energy' schools programme is offered free of charge to schools within our Auckland electricity network and links directly to the New Zealand Curriculum. The programme runs in Years 3 to 8 in Auckland schools, and since 2005 has educated more than 125,000 children.
Communicating safety and sustainability messages through schools allows us to engage with children in a way that leaves a lasting impression and encourages them to share their learning with family and friends as active persuaders at school, home and out in the wider community.
Visit
vectorschools.co.nz for more info or book in a session for your school
here.
Auckland Epro8 Challenge: inspiring young minds
This year, 2017, we sponsored the Epro8 Challenge in Auckland, in which 2,200 students from years 5-10 take part in a series of challenges. It’s great to see the EPro8 team getting kids more interested in science and engineering in this way, as well as pushing the boundaires of creativity, problem solving skills and team work. The event’s focus on innovation and technology is a great fit with our vision of creating a new energy future and a great opportunity to get students thinking about the possibilities of careers in this area.
Supporting the University of Auckland
We have an ongoing relationship with the University of Auckland. We sponsored and participated in the Business School’s 2016 Sustainability week, participating in events including a panel discussion on cultural sustainability and diversity. Our chairman, Michael Stiassny was a panellist at a discussion on the importance of sustainability to Auckland at the University in the lead up to the 2016 local elections.
Future of Energy Competition
In 2015, Vector, with the support of Entrust gave a few lucky families, community groups and schools a total of 130 solar panel and battery units to use for free for 10 years. Aucklanders nominated and voted for the most-deserving and favourite winners in their local communities. We installed our first system at Rongomai School in Otara in early May 2016 and are working on installing the remainder of the systems to our deserving winners.
Community of Interest
Our solar panel and battery installations are helping our communities, while broadening our understanding of the technology, and the benefits it can deliver to the whole country. We are working with the residents of an affordable housing development on Ngāti Whātua land in Ōrākei. The Ngāti Whātua Kāinga Tuatahi development covers 30 housing units and is the first residential cluster in New Zealand to install batteries. Our installation of solar and battery systems is aligned with the hapū’s commitment to environmental well-being and sustainable design principles. Kāinga Tuatahi will give us insights in to the benefits, a cluster of batteries and solar systems can deliver to network development. See more details about the project in our case study.
Employee Engagement in the Community
Employees in each of our offices regularly support the community through fundraising, volunteering, awareness raising and collections. Recent events included a clothing drive at each of our main locations across the country to support local charities, and a Christmas collection to collect gifts for the Salvation Army wishing tree campaign, as well as deserving families in Taranaki.
We’ve also supported tree planting days where members of our Vector team have joined forces with Treescape to plant 2,500 trees on Rotoroa Island to help protect the natural beauty and growing native ecosystem on the island, and with Ngati Whatua Ōrākei to plant trees on Auckland’s Bastion Point.
A number of employees also actively engage with Eat My Lunch with many ordering their lunches 1-2 times a week and encouraging the use of their catering service for team events. There are also monthly volunteering sessions organised for those that want to help make the lunches.