Mayor Nick with his new Mitsubishi i-MiEV – purchased in 2010.
Image: Braden Fastier/ Nelson Mail
From Climate Change and Environment Minister to Mayor of Nelson, the Hon Dr Nick Smith has long been an advocate for electrification, and he’ll be sharing his experience with everyone when he speaks at the Electrify Nelson Expo on 29 August.
Mayor Nick started his electrification journey by being the first customer of the first company in New Zealand to produce a purpose-built electric vehicle.
“I bought my Mitsubishi i-MiEV new in 2010 for $84,000, back when the petrol equivalent cost $26,000.”
Following his retirement from parliament, Mayor Nick worked as Smith Crane’s project manager for the construction of New Zealand’s largest wind farm at Turitea. In 2024, he was elected as a trustee for lines company Network Tasman.
Turitea wind farm
Electricity infrastructure has always been important to him.
Mayor Nick will share more about Nelson’s electricity infrastructure at the Expo, including the City Council’s eBus service and the plans for more solar panel projects.
“We will have new solar systems on five Council buildings in time for spring.
“Of the $950,000 cost of the projects, $620,000 (65%) is being funded by Council and $330,000 (35%) by Government grants through the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA).”
“Council funding is being used for 100% of installations on the Trafalgar Street Hall and Saxton Football Pavilion. Funding from Council and EECA will be used for installations on the Tāhunanui Community Hub, Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre and the Saxton Netball Pavilion, all of which are due for completion this month. EECA will also cover the cost of installations at two more community sites.”
Together, these installations represent Council’s largest climate change initiative since the introduction of the eBus service with Tasman District Council in 2023.
Nick Smith cuts the ribbon with Rachel Boyack launching Nelson’s e-bus service.
Image: RNZ/ Samantha Gee.
Mayor Nick believes the benefits of these solar projects are not just environmental. The panels will reduce electricity bills and improve community resilience in a civil emergency.
“We are installing them on buildings that can be used as Civil Defence Centres and adding battery storage systems to provide backup power for when the electricity supply is down.”
The Council is also improving energy efficiency and integrating sustainability criteria into procurement and asset management decisions.
When asked what he sees as one of the biggest barriers to wider electrification, Mayor Nick is clear: cost. Alongside the transition to electric transport, he sees significant opportunity for Nelson households to generate more of their own electricity through rooftop solar. With around 21,000 homes across the city, making solar more accessible could help households cut power bills while supporting Nelson’s wider shift away from fossil fuels.
“I have been chairing a group, through Local Government NZ, that has been working on and promoting a nationwide Ratepayer Assistance Scheme that would enable homeowners to access low-cost loans for solar. The scheme requires Government approval but would be a game changer in getting more solar energy across NZ.”
In June, the National Party announced that if re-elected, it will support the LGNZ proposal for a Home Energy Fund to facilitate tens of thousands of homes investing in solar energy and save many millions in household power bills. Nick Smith hopes other political parties will also back this proposal.
Mayor Nick hopes visitors leave the Expo seeing the scale of the opportunity: from switching petrol vehicles to EVs, to generating power from our rooftops and electrifying the way we heat our homes and businesses. Together, these changes offer Nelson a practical pathway to lower energy costs, greater resilience and significantly lower emissions. infrastructure in the region, and how businesses can partner with them to reduce their own emissions and costs for their energy supplies.
Electrify Nelson Expo takes place on Saturday 29 August at the Annesbrook Event Centre. Entry is free and visitors can explore stalls, expert speakers, live demonstrations, EV test drives and practical advice on everything from solar and batteries to home energy efficiency and electric transport. Nathan Clarke will be speaking as a part of the event.
