Two Years On – A Message of Thanks, Hope, and Determination

Two years ago today, APAG was not formed out of choice—but out of necessity. On that first day, just seven people joined, and we wondered where this path might lead. By the end of the first week, we were over 100 strong. Today, more than 2,400 individuals from across our communities stand together under the APAG banner.

What a journey it has been. Thousands of leaflets printed and handed out. Hundreds of meetings—day, night, and weekend—attended with unwavering commitment. Family life paused. Normality reshaped. Yet in the midst of all this, the greatest reward has been the people: the extraordinary talent, the passion, the resolve, and the friendships forged in adversity.

To everyone who has stood shoulder to shoulder—who has worked tirelessly and selflessly—we applaud you. You have raised your voices for your communities, your families, and the future of our children. On behalf of the APAG Working Group and Committee, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks.

So, what have we achieved? Was it worth it?

Absolutely—yes.

Thanks to the combined efforts of Action groups across the TKUP corridor, we have already made a significant impact. We have disrupted the timetable of this project and made it clear to politicians, regulators, and consultees that these communities will not be overlooked.

The formal objections submitted by the combined groups against the Hurlie and Tealing substations—supported by our planning consultant—took many by surprise. Not only by the sheer volume of responses but also by the technical strength, clarity, and depth of the arguments presented. It sent a clear message: this is a movement that cannot be dismissed.

What comes next?

We understand that the formal SSEN TKUP planning application is once again experiencing delay before being submitted to the Energy Consents Unit. We also believe SSEN is now scrambling to address serious infrastructure design concerns that stem from a fundamental lack of understanding of the land, the people, and the businesses that operate in this corridor.

Looking ahead, we are quietly confident. The multi group comprehensive objection document, combined with expert input from our planning consultant and several focused technically robust new initiatives, will raise important questions for decision-makers and regulators alike.

Keep the faith.

We are far from finished. This is a marathon, not a sprint. And marathons are often won in the final miles—when the body is weary, but the will remains unshaken.

Stay strong. Stay united. And above all—stay hopeful.

Together, we are making a difference.