<strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Thursday <strong>April</strong> <strong>18</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 16 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Committed to renewable air travel • From page 15 <strong>The</strong> flight deliberately coincided with the COP26 conference as countries discussed transition away from fossil fuels. After making the move, Freedman has grown to appreciate the country as a place open to new ideas. “New Zealand does have a very good entrepreneurial spirit, I’ve found. A great acceptance of, and interest in, new technology here and it’s a very good country to try new things.” His passion for the environment extends beyond just his aviation business. Involvement in native tree plantings and pest control efforts in Cass Bay give Freedman a sense of fulfilment. “Things like that can give direct hope to an individual and help you realise you can make a difference even on a local level,” he said. “Changing the way we fly and reducing emissions from aviation is the other end of that scale.” His commitment to local conservation work and national advocacy all come from the same desire to make an impact on New Zealand’s environment. “Sometimes people can feel a little bit helpless and depressed about climate change, so I think doing any little things can help people feel better about those HIGH-FLYING: Gary Freedman often takes scenic trips in the Alpha Electro. He says the aircraft provides a quiet and smooth experience. really big challenges.” Freedman’s career in renewable technology started at UK company Ecotricity in 2002. As a head of department, he organised the installation of wind turbines on behalf of clients. His business degree from Manchester Metropolitan University set him on track for a career advocating and marketing new renewable technologies. “I was working a lot in wind and then in solar as it became more viable economically. My passion for environmental work really came along with the renewable technology.” From 2010, he worked at the RES Group and then Airvolution Energy helping to develop sites for wind turbines. After moving to New Zealand, he has worked for Meridian Energy and Harmony Energy coordinating the development of electric vehicle infrastructure and solar farms. Freedman’s interest in electric planes grew out of his love for flying. “At the same time as my work, I was also flying hang gliders just as a hobby. <strong>The</strong>n I got my pilots licence and actually started flying small planes.” <strong>The</strong> Alpha Electro is now used for trial flights, pilot training and as a promotional tool for more electric aircraft. Intrigued aviation enthusiasts listened intently over Easter weekend as the Electric Air team showed off the Alpha Electro at the Warbirds Over Wanaka international airshow. “People there are interested in the old warplanes, but they’re also interested in the future of flight.” Freedman’s dream is to see the use of electric planes increase in New Zealand. Current technology limits the distance electric planes can travel, but Freedman believes New Zealand’s high proportion of short haul flights, coupled with a relatively green electricity grid, makes it the perfect place to experiment with the technology. In coming years, Electric Air is considering the purchase of more electric planes and wants to help convert petrol planes to fully electric models. Freedman hopes the company will make a mark on New Zealand’s emissions profile and his work will help to pass on his passion to his 17-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter. “I do hope that they will be encouraged by all the things we do. You know we drive an electric car, and go trapping. I think they’ve both gained a really good understanding of being good neighbours with nature.” 50 years in the trade a major milestone Five decades, 50 years, half a century – no matter how you put it, that’s a long stretch of time in anyone’s reckoning. And that’s how long Greg Box, owner/operator of Amazing Auto Electric, has been involved in the autoelectrical trade. It all started when he began as an apprentice with Benson Bros in Gisborne on June 24, 1974, learning the nuts and bolts of the trade and acquiring the skills needed to pursue a successful career as an auto-electrical engineer. After spending almost seven years there, Greg headed overseas, and over the following eight years he worked in the motor trade in the UK, and for a large part of the time, in the mining industry in Alaska, Australia and Africa. Family matters brought him back to New Zealand, plus he was also keen to start his own business here. With that in mind he re-located to Christchurch in 1989, initially working for a local firm, before launching out as a sole trader in 1993. A decade later he established his current business, Amazing Auto Electric, opening a workshop in Coleridge Street and employing staff. As a business it has proved a great success, and while it is a challenging trade, and one that can be stressful, it’s a trade he has thoroughly enjoyed over the last 50 years. He says for a person that enjoys working with machinery and fixing things as he does, it’s an ideal career. “For an apprentice starting out it takes five years to qualify, but for those that can stick to it, it’s a great trade to be in.” With auto-electrical systems being re-designed every five to 10 years, ongoing training with online and on-site courses is also an important part of keeping up in the industry, Greg says. He is proud of the service Photographed in his Coleridge St workshop, Greg Box is about to mark 50 years in the auto-electrical trade. Greg Box, left, with staff members Anton Weir, centre, and Shane Gallop. We have some of the latest and greatest scanning tools and software available to help diagnose and solve problems, nine in total. he and his two staff – one fully qualified and the other undergoing his apprenticeship, offer customers. “Many of the problems people have with their vehicles are related to the electrical system. When that warning light comes up on the dashboard, it indicates there’s something wrong, and we can fix it,” Greg says, adding, “Over the years we have been blessed with the best customers and staff any business could wish for and we wouldn’t be here without them.” Amazing Auto Electric provides service for all types of vehicle from trucks, to commercial vans to family cars. Located at 65 Coleridge Street, it is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. And in just a few weeks’ time, Monday June 24 will be a red-letter day for owner Greg, as he reaches his 50th anniversary in the trade, a significant milestone by any measure. Amazing Auto AAE Electric CARS • BOATS • TRUCKS • CARAVANS • 4WDS • TRAILERS • ELECTRIC & HYBRID VEHICLES USUALLY SAME DAY SERVICE • <strong>Star</strong>ter Motors • Alternators • Central Locking • Electric Windows • ABS & Airbags YoU nAME IT, WE fIx IT For everything Auto Electric • Stereos/Alarms • Batteries • Tuneups • Engine Management 65 Coleridge St, Sydenham Phone 03 379 4250 www.amazingautoelectric.co.nz
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