OperationLaser Kiwi
We're taking New Zealand-made energy on the road and trying to bring a few more New Zealanders into the electric tent. But we need your help. The more money we raise, the bigger the campaign gets.
A serious message, delivered in the least serious way possible
Over the past few years, Rewiring Aotearoa has done the hard work and shown that going electric can benefit homes, businesses, communities and the country. Now it's time to do something a bit mad and really engrain the idea of New Zealand-made energy into the national psyche. That's why we're raising money to send Mike Casey on a mission to the Beehive, run a national advertising campaign to raise awareness of all the benefits, give some solar panels to low-income homes, and, if we reach our big goal, bring Laser Kiwi to life.
Top-down
We want all our MPs, no matter where they are on the political spectrum, to push for more New Zealand-made energy running through more efficient electric machines. Electrification needs to be engrained as a key part of our economic, energy security and emissions reduction strategy.
Bottom-up
Heaps of New Zealanders understand the cost-saving, resilience-giving, pollution-avoiding benefits of going electric. And we've got almost 40 different electrification community groups spreading that message in their areas. But there are plenty who aren't aware and with this campaign we're on a mission to change that.
A bit mad
We live in the attention economy and we've got a fair bit of it already. But we want to turn that attention into funding so we can raise even more awareness and we've decided Laser Kiwi is the best way to do it. The more support we get, the bigger the campaign becomes and if we reach our stretch goal, we will actually build a massive Trojan Laser Kiwi and tow it to Wellington to deliver Mike Casey's cherries to all our MPs.
Follow the mission
Clips from the campaign trail - follow along as we drum up the funds to take Laser Kiwi to the Beehive.
The fundraising thermometer
Four thresholds. Every dollar takes it up a notch.
Chip in to Operation Laser Kiwi
Every donation pushes the fundraising thermometer up - and payment goes through Rewiring's secure Raisely checkout.
Secure checkout by Raisely - the same platform behind rewiring.nz/donate.
Thank you to our donors
Every donation pushes the thermometer up. Kind words optional, greatly appreciated.
Be the first name on the wall - chip in above.
Show us your laser eyes
New Zealanders everywhere are firing up the lasers. Upload a photo (could be your stuffed kiwi, could be you, could be your ute), add some lasers right here on the page, and tell us why you back New Zealand-made energy. We'll pick some of the best entries and send them some free merch as the campaign rolls out. The best entry will win $1,000 of free electricity.
No photos yet - be the first to fire the laser.
Add your photo to the gallery
Choose a photo, tap the eyes to fire the lasers, drag into position, add your story. Submissions are anonymous and the team checks every photo before it appears.
The merch
Pay over the odds to help the campaign and get some good electric stuff in return.
New Zealand-made energy t-shirt
Buy now →
New Zealand-made energy cap
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New Zealand-made energy hoodie
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White logo t-shirt
Buy now →*Preorder: orders ship once the campaign closes - we'll email you to collect shipping details.
Merch preorder
*Preorder: orders ship once the campaign closes - we'll email you to collect shipping details.
The stretch goals
Hit a threshold and the next thing unlocks.
Mike's Laser Kiwi mission + Wellington billboards
We buy Mike Casey a special Kiwi suit, laserify it, and he heads north to Wellington in an electric ute, stopping off to talk to electric entrepreneurs and community groups. Plus, we run billboards across Wellington before the 'electric election' to make sure our politicians know that more New Zealand-made energy running through electric machines is the key to our prosperity.
National billboards + solar for homes
Mike heads north on his Laser Kiwi mission, but we upgrade to nationwide billboard campaign to push New Zealand-made energy further - plus, we put $10,000 towards solar panels for low-income homes.
Prime-time TV ads
TV ads take the message even further - plus we put $20,000 towards solar panels for low-income homes.
Build a massive Laser Kiwi
The full ad campaign, $50,000 of solar for low-income homes, and a massive Trojan Laser Kiwi built and towed to Wellington to deliver Mike Casey's electric cherries to all our MPs.
Solar for those who need it most
If we reach our stretch targets, we will commit to donating solar panels to low-income homes (either good old-fashioned rooftop solar or, if the laws change, plug-in solar options). More funding = more homes running on the sun.
Our asks
The evidence is clear: New Zealand-made energy running through electric machines saves homes thousands, communities millions and the country billions, while also improving our energy security and reducing emissions. The primary goal of this campaign is to make sure politicians and people know that.
Many of the recommendations from our Electrification Manifesto in 2025 have been taken up by the Government and opposition parties, but there are a few things standing in the way of our goal to create the world's most electric economy and this year has shown that our economy is still extremely exposed to petrol and diesel price spikes. That needs to change.
As we gear up for the 'electric election', we've released our top six ideas and Mike Casey will be taking them to the Beehive in his Laser Kiwi suit. It is far from exhaustive, but it outlines the main areas the Government needs to focus on to make the electric boat go faster and pump up our prosperity - and what voters should be considering when they head to the ballot box.
Set a narrative that New Zealanders can buy into
Everyone wins when New Zealand swaps expensive, volatile imported energy for cheaper, cleaner and more stable New Zealand-made energy running through electric machines.
Change the rules - and how the rules are made
Regulators need to actively pursue the long-term interests of consumers, reflect changing technology and focus on bringing down the cost of electricity to ensure New Zealand can benefit economically from our unique renewable resources.
Speed things up - and make sure we have the people to make it happen
All households need better access to finance so they can access the savings electric upgrades offer, targeted support should be considered to accelerate the shift to New Zealand-made energy, and more focus needs to be put on the trades and training so we can fully embrace the job creation opportunity of electrification.
Reduce our fuel dependence
The Government needs to help more families and businesses into EVs to improve energy security and lower the cost-of-living.
Get businesses off gas
As domestic supplies run low, industrial gas users need more help to electrify their operations. This can't be seen as corporate welfare; it needs to be seen as a core part of our economic and energy strategy.
Smooth things out
Make sure long-term cost and emissions comparisons are trusted and transparent so New Zealanders can make good decisions - and make the process of upgrading as easy as possible.
Go electric now - and inspire others to follow
If you have the capital, it makes sense to upgrade to electric machines and invest in solar and batteries now. Don't wait for the right policy or for prices to drop. Just do it and start saving! This will also enhance the 'neighbourhood effect' and help speed up adoption rates. If you're impressed with your EV, if you love your solar or if you think your induction cooktop is better than gas, tell anyone who will listen, or join one of our 40 community groups to spread the benefits of New Zealand-made energy in your area.
Make a plan
We're not asking everyone to chuck out their fossil fuel machines immediately, but when they break down or reach the end of their life, the replacement needs to be electric. Households need to make six good electric decisions over the next ten years. And businesses need to plan for a future that runs on electrons, not molecules.
Know your numbers
Fossil fuel machines are cheaper upfront but more expensive over the long-term. Don't get sucked in by the sticker price. Think long-term and make the efficient, electric choice.
Take energy into your own hands - and see it as a competitive advantage
Lots of a little is a lot and our homes, farms and businesses will play a crucial role in our future energy system. Moving away from fossil fuels makes economic sense, but so too does reducing your reliance on grid electricity. Producing as much of your own energy as possible and pumping it into your machines is a huge productivity opportunity.
Substitution before sacrifice
We're not going to fix the climate by having shorter showers. Many of our biggest emission reduction opportunities are in our driveways and carparks, hot water cupboards and kitchens and that's another good reason for homes and businesses to upgrade to electric machines that run on New Zealand-made energy.
Push politicians for more support
The Government needs to set a narrative around the role New Zealand-made energy will play in our prosperity. And it can help speed things up by offering better access to finance, targeted incentives, and fairer rules and regulations. Keep applying the pressure, open that 'Overton Window' and vote for the parties that are most likely to usher that in.
It's better on electrons
The New Zealand-made energy auctions
Legends of the electric movement have donated experiences or items that we can auction off. Every winning bid goes straight into the campaign pot, so we recommend making overly generous offers.
Bids are live - the highest bid when an auction closes wins. Only your nickname is shown publicly.
10,000 kWh of electricity from Electric Kiwi
This collaboration was meant to be: our appropriately named mates at Electric Kiwi have donated what amounts to about one year's worth of electrons for an average home with an EV.
A Lightfoot scooter
Be one of the first in the country to own a Lightfoot, an electric scooter that charges up as it sits in the sun.
Mike Casey does 'the griddy' dance beside a pylon
Pretty self-explanatory, really. A fitting way to celebrate the strength of our national grid.
Mike Casey's signed Swanndri jacket
Some say it is the cleanest Swanndri in all the land.
Burnouts in an electric ute
Going round in circles in a good thing and you can do it in Mike Casey's electric Hilux, the 'electrolux'.
Ride the Whoosh with Chris Allington
Be one of the few to experience the on-demand aerial transport solution on the Whoosh test track in Christchurch, with CEO Chris Allington as your guide.
Beers with Mike Casey
The man can talk the ear off an elephant. Electric chat only.
The wrecking room
Take a sledgehammer to some old fossil fuel machines. Extremely therapeutic. Safety gear provided.
Help make the electric boat go faster
Three ways to get behind Operation Laser Kiwi - every dollar pushes the thermometer up a tier.
Donate
Chip in whatever you can, grab some New Zealand-made energy merch, or make a bid on one of our electric auctions.
Donate now →
Donate an experience
Got an experience worth auctioning? Whether it's a guitar lesson, an electric boat party, or a lunch date, we'll auction it for the cause.
See the auctions →Offer a product or service
Demo only - offers aren't stored or binding (yet!).
This campaign is one part of a much bigger mission
The full case for New Zealand-made energy - the evidence, the savings and what it means for your place - lives on the main page.
Explore New Zealand-made energy →