Backlash bites conservation campaign

By KATHERINE HOBY consumer affairs reporter

Becky Ashe is unhappy at being blamed for power shortages and asked to make cutbacks.

The 37-year-old mother of Mission Bay said she had not started making power savings.

"I don't like the way this is all being blamed on the household consumer," she said.

"We did our bit last time - and that wasn't so long ago - so why is it happening again?

"I don't want to spend nights at home in a cold dark house because something is happening that is not my fault."

Mrs Ashe is one of a number of consumers who are "savings fatigued" at calls to save 10 per cent on power two years after they were last asked to cut back.

Some say they are wearing of being told to turn off lights and appliances, just four weeks into the savings campaign.

Consumers Institute acting chief executive Simon Wilson said power users felt frustrated and let down.

"It is almost a feeling of disapproval and disappointment that just two years after last time, we have had to turn off lights," he said.

"People are thinking, 'What have they been doing to stop this happening again?'

"I would say that is a pretty widespread view among consumers."



Many people had built more energy-efficient homes, taking heed of strong conservation messages in the past 10 years.

"For those people there is not so much slack to take up; not so many things that can be done," said Mr Wilson.

New Zealanders saved 4.1 per cent on power consumption on Tuesday.

Mr Wilson said the consumer disappointment carried a clear message to the Government.

"If the electricity industry isn't working more effectively by the next winter, with very little rain they will have a big political problem."

Winter Power Taskforce head Patrick Strange said he understood customer frustration.

"Do I comprehend that people feel a bit jaded? Absolutely.

"If this was the first time in 30 years it would be a bit easier to swallow."

But Dr Strange said reaction from consumer groups had indicated a willingness to save power if it was necessary.

"There is bound to be a little bit of resistance, but our surveying indicates a high number are prepared to make savings."

Planned incentive programmes to save consumers money would help.

It was unrealistic to expect to reach the 10 per cent target immediately, and a new advertising campaign should help to make occasional cutbacks become habits.

Consumers spoken to by the Herald expressed willingness to save power, but seemed upset that the need had come only two years after the last time.

Mervyn White, 68, of Grey Lynn, said he was "very put out" at being asked to turn off his heater and keep shower times shorter.



"I feel like I am being blamed when I'm asked to cut power usage again."

Kate Keyes, 29, of Mt Albert, agreed.

"We haven't done anything wrong as consumers, and here we go again."

But Ms Keyes said she had started switching off seldom-used appliances, and would do more if necessary.

Don Huggins, 62, of Manurewa, said he was angry at having to make sacrifices while the owners of some commercial properties seemed to have made no cutbacks.

Mr Huggins does a lot of driving between the airport and Manurewa, and said his passengers had told him of their frustration.

"The average householder is quite responsible with regard to power anyway," he said. "And then when you drive into town and see the billboards and signs lit up like Christmas trees, well, it makes my blood boil."

Crisis fatigue

New Zealanders - especially Aucklanders - are getting used to urgent power crisis warnings. Most of us have faced it all before ... 1992: Hot-water rationing for 55 days, electricity cut 17 hours a day in Auckland, reduced street lighting and an early close for television.

Candlelit shops and useless traffic lights as Auckland's central business district ground to a halt after four cables supplying the city failed.

A six-week midwinter campaign to save 10 per cent after falling hydro lake levels sent power spot-market prices soaring.