Andrew SimmsA Dunedin city councillor has looked to Aurora Energy for a dividend to offset rates rises, as he warns a double-digit increase poses an ‘‘existential threat’’ to the council. Following questions from Cr Russell Lund, Cr Andrew Simms asked if Aurora could feasibly pay a $5million dividend this year without impacting operations. ‘‘In the next financial year, we are intending and planning to have dividends resume from Aurora Energy,’’ Mr Loan said. ‘‘If we roll out ... a double-digit rate rise, that's an existential threat to this mayoralty and this council,’’ Cr Simms said. The Commerce Commission was ‘‘all over Aurora’’, Cr Lund said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 19, 2026 19:49 UTC