KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Macca USA
People must pay their bills, it's a part of life. Surely in New Zealand there is a government agency that this poor woman could have gone to for help? In the circumstances, I think the power company is in the wrong, especially knowing the situation, before pulling the plug.
Two sides to a story
I have no great love for power companies but did the family have no alternative plans in place for an emergency, ie an extension lead to a neighbour what if there was a power failure, you cannot blame it all on the power company, also feel that the family and friends should have placed their power account on a higher level of priority knowing how important it was.
Ray (UK)
I have just heard about this tragic story on the BBC. This is absolutely disgusting and downright evil of any company to put money above some ones life the person responsible for this decision and who gave the order to carry this disconnection out should be immediately arrested and charged with either manslaughter or if it can be proved that they knew there was a sick member of the family relying on this supply and still cut it off should be prosecuted for first degree murder, Tthis shows how in today's world some companies could not give a damn what the circumstances are, we want our money.
doug
Leave the power on for free and still tell everyone about it...fantastic PR...simple, no stress.
John
If her life depended on the oxygen machine being connected to the mains, then surely it was her or her family's responsibility to ensure the power supply was not interrupted. No doubt they would have received numerous reminders and warnings that they would be cut off and yet they obviously did absolutely nothing. Never mind paying their bill (and, dare I suggest it, they would no doubt have been receiving a sickness benefit for that very purpose) it probably would have only taken one call to the energy company to ensure the power was not cut off. I think it was their own fault.
Thrash Cardiom
While I feel for the family there is more they could have done other than sat back for 3 hours. They could have arranged an alternative power source: the neighbours, a friend's place, their local church. The woman could have accepted an ambulance when it was offered or the sons could have overridden her and called one anyway.However, Mercury do need to look at their system too. Perhaps checks should be put in place before disconnections are carried out to see if bills have been paid since the termination notice was issued. Their contractors could be instructed to contact Mercury if similar situations are encountered. The hospital also need to look at themselves. They state the woman wouldn't have been sent home with one of these devices if she was unable to breathe for herself. However, the fact remains that she died after the machine was disabled. Whether through asphyxiation or otherwise remains to be seen.
Dan
I don't think Mercury can claim that they didn't know about the medical condition of their customer. If they do, they should be had up for negligence. It is simply not good enough to hide behind bureaucracy and say "I didn't know". They should have had systems and policies in place to ensure they did know about these situation of their customers. And they should have ensured those systems were functioning, by training and auditing staff and contractors.
Mark
I feel sorry for the family in this case, losing your mother in these circumstances must be extremely hard to understand.However, i dont feel that there should be any blame laid on the contractor He is only the messenger and is not given any powers to make judgment decisions in these types of situations.If the family knew that their mother was going to die because of a lack of electricity they should have rung the ambulance alot sooner or phone the energy company alot sooner and pleaded with them to have the electricity maintained.
Greg M
How said, didn't keep up with the bill payments, thats life you cant expect a product or service for free and the power company took the right steps, the person concerned should have made arrangements, should have told them in writing of the medical need for power. The lady could have gone next door and "plugged in" if she was really that desperate, and then rung the power company to explain the situation.The media are blowing this way out of proportion, seeming to imply thats its ok not to pay your power bill. How about I decided not to pay my power bill, will you stand up for me and everyone else who wont pay, send the company broke, then we all loose our power?
Hindupur Rajagopalan
A through investigation (not by the company) should be done and the company should be fined heavily in order to avoid any similar instances in the future.
Dave, Wellington
If the mercury contractor was told of the oxygen machine before pulling the plug, they should be had up for manslaughter.Still, she obviously didn't care about her own health all through her life and was responsible for her situation.I just hope all of her obese children will do something about it now instead of an early grave themselves.
Mishey (Auckland)
I think it is appalling and to think that the contractor after having cut the power off could just walk away especially after hearing the woman's oxygen machine switching off and the emergency warning sound coming from it!A women is now dead for what, a bill of $168.40.
Moa from Rahiri
The bottom line here is that as a Nation and a tiny one at that we have over time and as a result of successive Governments have lost our old basic value of life of sharing and caring. Because we are all totally $$$money driven in our need to go forward we dont have that wee bit of wanting to care for all others left in us.There is no more of the old compassion the only way that we may get this back is maybe stop the need to work 7days a week and all together spend the 2 day weekend with our family's, neighbours, friends then just maybe the Power Contractor would have been more understanding, and besides l cannot understand why when in doubt ring the boss now he will live with this for ever what a sad life this person will have till he/she die's making it worse if he/she has children, for them and other family members not a proud moment to has to live with.
Bongsun Kim
It doesn't matter if there was disconnection notice or not. The contractor who could clearly see there was an oxygen machine(It's pretty big and hard to miss) and was explained that it was needed, they should not have disconnected the power. Even if the bill was thousands of dollars still unconceivable but for $168.40? If the facts emerge that the contractor knowingly disconnected the power knowing there was any risk to life, that's manslaughter.
Michael Bruce
Its corporate culture gone completely wrong. If the facts that the public have seen are correct, then this SOE is responsible for her death. The misuse of power (cliche) goes right through to the top of the organisation and I believe even with the government. Why, because leaders develop cultures within there organisations. For the contractor to deliver his duties without concern for the occupants of the house is beyond comprehension and very sad.
Barts Preston, England
This death was avoidable. Those who were instrumental in its cause should face the consequences of the law and be made to pay. Those involved had a responsibility outside of those of their own self-interest. The officer involved also had a responsibility to check and recheck the situation before proceeding with the disconnection in the face of the information presented to them. It's deplorable that such a person is not under investigation by the company that employs them and is indicative of the outlook of the company itself. For the family its a terrible tragedy and my sympathy goes out to them.
Keith
The company do it all the time, pull the plug and take off. Senior managers should go.
Nigel
The death of Mrs Muliaga is disgusting. I wonder if she would have been treated differently if she was a middle aged pakeha living on the north shore.
Norman (Seattle, Washington)
I will admit that it seems to me that Mercury was overly assertive in this particular case. But suppose they had provided additional time and notice? If they had waited, say, another three months, by which time the bill would have been larger? Suppose they waited another full year? Suppose the bill had grown to thousands? Would the "outrage" have been any less if they had then cut off the power? I submit, alas, probably not. At issue here is, fundamentally, whether a contractual obligation is strictly enforceable, regardless of the personal circumstances of the parties. Otherwise, one is asserting that some of the critically ill could get free electricity (or other utilities) forever. And, thus, a hidden subsidy on those who do meet their financial obligations. Where does this stop? If one's business, rather than health, were directly dependent upon electric service, would such arbitrary charity be available to prevent bankruptcy and layoff of the firm's employees?How would people suggest that the law be changed to prevent such tragic case, and how would they prevent abuse of the law? Or, are people suggesting that arbitrary exceptions be made, without due process, based upon emotional reaction?
Lourens Botha
Mercury Energy handled the situation in the best possible way they could given the situation. How can the firm be blamed for a situation they have no knowledge of? If you do not pay your bills, you do not get the service. It is as simple as that. The lack of information in this case is wholly the responsibility of the family. The family should have obtained a letter from the hospital informing the electricity supply company about the uninterrupted requirement in which case I believe the company would have reacted on in a professional and positive way. The mere fact of blaming a company who is only the service provider and only acts on the situation at hand i.e. an outstanding bill, is absurd to say the least.
Bruce Nolin
The sad death needs to be studied. Did the power company really know? Had it been told, actually? And doctors don't understand why she would die so abruptly. And no battery backup? What would happen if there were a power outage. Our power here may go out for an hour, or for five days recently, just 300 meters down the street. Your life can't hinge on any kind of outage, even if you pay your bill in advance. All over $112. There should have been more communication over the bills and notices. And the oxygen machine. But if a storm knocks out service, what then?
mike davis
Whilst it is sad and tragic that Mrs Muliaga died at her home on Monday, no back up plan seemed to be in place in the event of a power cut. Perhaps a visit to the neighbours or a relative could have been arranged? Also the hospital who gave her the machine might have included a back up power source.Mercury Energy did the wrong thing absolutely, but they can't be held solely to blame.
Bridget
My sympathy goes out to the family for the loss of a loved one in such circumstances. The question that comes to mind for me is what if this had been a power cut caused by weather or an accident etc - what method of backup was in place?
Jackson
It is indeed a tragedy. The family spokesman spelt it out in black n white. a proud family who never relied on dole handouts and a father who provided for his family, What is this country coming to? Heartless & lets tramp on those who do try to make do in this day and age. How would you feel if it was your family member who had to rely on a machine to live? What about those who have hundreds or thousands in arrears. The innocent pay! What's the use in condolences, when Mercury person could of used good old common sense, not a power trip. Sometimes it is hard for some to be caring Kiwis? The Life of a Woman, Mum ,Wife, Aunty, Nanny, Sister and best friend to those who knew her. All because of pure cold heartedness.
Fran
What I would like to know is why this family in the 7 weeks leading up to this, having reminders and demand letters sent, not call the company and explain the situation, why did they wait until a representative had to visit them on that fateful day, and why did their uncle finally pay the bill the day after it was cut off, why not earlier?? Everyone is quick to jump to conclusions that the company is to blame but why would someone knowingly cut off power that was to save someone's life - no one in their right mind would do that. If the power company let everyone who didn't pay their bills keep getting power for free imagine the debt they would have to deal with, this family should have got help before it got to this stage and they did not.
Life over profits (Bucklands Beach)
It is rather sad that a family has lost a mother because a company is worried about profits. Obvious to the company the family was battling - by part payments - they should have taken the time to discuss payment options with them. But, nowadays, big companies think of themselves & profits only. Forget about the contractor & everything else personal about this case. If I were to have received this bill that was due for payment in June and had a contractor come to disconnect the power, I would definitely take them to court, if there was no mention on that bill that the power will be disconnected. The power should only have been disconnected after the bill date had passed and no payment made. I think it is disgusting that big companies become bullies in people's lives and that as a result of that someone has died! What is our society becoming.... more interested in making profits over a person's life. It is rather disappointing because I was recently thinking of switching power companies - due to price rise and would have been contacting Mercury. I am so glad that I didn't have the time to contact them yet!!! Empower is definitely more understanding!
Manfred Frank
Clearly this family has been making sincere attempts to settle their power bill by making installment payments. Mercury Energy has utterly failed to honour their responsibilties as a supplier of a vital utility to the community. Their only objective has become the generation of profits at any cost. This event has highlighted the obscene practices of a so called labour administration which has truly managed to create an enormous rapidly further increasing gulf between rich and poor in this country. The CEO of Mercury needs to be removed. Furthermore criminal charges need to laid against Mercury Energy at any relevant level. This event has brought shame on the whole of New Zealand.
Chris Anstus
We have not got all the facts yet but so far I have to believe the son. He heard his mother ask for 'another chance' plus he also asked.We just have to wait for the bottom line after we find out who's right.
Nick Walker
Would it not be legally and morally prudent to await the results of a post-mortem examination on Folole Muliaga before reaching any conclusions about the culpability of Mercury Energy in her death? We have yet to hear the actual cause of death from a medical expert.
Jay from Napier, Confused
This is a sad time for the family who are grieving. One question I would like to ask though is wasn't it around 2 hours after the power was turned off before the mother died. Is this correct? If so, anyone would be doing everything they can to find power for the machine within this time? Next door neighbour? Ambulance phone-call? Back-up oxygen tanks? Correct me if I am wrong here.
Phil
As anyone who has been late to pay to a bill can attest as soon as a certain point is reached - usually something like 2 late payments within the space of 24 months - the whole process takes on a life of its own and consumers are told to pay up in full or else - otherwise the power will be cut and that there is no way of preventing this as "the computer" won't let anyone stop it.Kids sick family late stages of pregnancy all of that is water off a ducks back to the 'helpdesk' staff at a power company. This is exactly why NZ used to have these utilities in public hands. The total cost of cutting this person off and then recovering the money would have far exceeded the $168 plus costs owed but these corporations are determined never to be seen as weak so they go for the jugular every time. Considering the winters of deliberate power failures we have had used to push up bulk power prices a lesson from Enron's activities in the California market could we expect anything else?
Sue (Hauraki)
This is such a sad situation. The overiding issue is the Muliaga Family are in the midst of overwhelming and unnecessary grief.The underlying factors are that the poverty in this country is hidden and unacknowledged by both media and politicians. Who out there is fed up with the continual diatribe of sad and pathetic gossip and ridiculous political posturings posing as 'news' when all the while there are these dreadful disasters waiting to happen.Why are we not discussing and fixing the absolute poverty which rages within this society. Why are families like the Mulaiaga's continually struggling. Most folk in the cycle of poverty are just like them. Law abiding, decent and hard working folk who can only just make ends meet on a good week let alone try to do so when a catastrophe such as ill health hits them.What a sad indictment of this society when a government owned company puts a life at risk for $160. How pathetically immoral is that? How about we have a political viewpoint which is honestly interested and concerned for the well being of our more vulnerable citizens.
Saddened and Somewhat Sceptical
I find it very difficult to believe that any Mercury Energy contractor (or indeed any person) would knowingly let someone die by turning off the power (unless they fancied a jail term and public lynching). I also find it hard to believe that the family could do nothing to save their mother. If they knew she was in danger of dying that ambulance should have been called one way or another. Why does no-one ask why the family did not do so at the first sign of trouble? My mother could have refused all she wanted, I would have made her get in that ambulance. Or I would have found the longest extension cord I could lay my hands on and begged the neighbours to let me use their power supply for the time being.In today's Herald, medics questioned how the woman could have died so quickly. This type of apparatus is a breathing aid not a ventilator or life support system. It's so easy to blame big brother (and absolve yourself of responsibility) and it's highly likely that Mercury Energy must shoulder at least some of the blame. However, there are a lot of question marks hovering over this case, and not just with regard to Mercury's course of action.
Conor
To be honest if the power was so vital for the woman to live then why did the family wait two and half hours after it was cut off to call an ambulance? They had ample time to figure out a way the woman would be safe after the power was cut. Even after she said she was feeling different and not well the family still had half an hour to call an ambulance.? It doesnt make sense to me - obviously the family didn't feel the power was essential to the Mothers health or else they would have called an ambulance straight after it was cut.