KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
You've got to be kidding me!
Is this a joke? Since the family is from Samoa and are flashing the racial discrimination card at the first given opportunity, here's a crash course for them about life in NZ- individuals in NZ do not privately own the Police dept! You can't scream murder and ask for full accountability and compensation when you fancy and then ask the police to back off when the heat gets a bit too much to bear. I ask the question- what does the family have to hide here? If they can grieve and milk the media to their advantage at the time of their mum's/wife's/aunty's death, they can sure deal with the police investigation now that the funeral is over. I don't buy the police being culturally insensitive theory even for a moment. If the family is genuine in its claims about the communication with the contractor, the power company etc. they should be welcoming full police investigation instead of asking it to stop. As for their newfound love for the contractor, well they have probably already turned his and his family's life upside down in their media circus of the last few weeks. The least that contractor deserves from the family is closure-which only a full police investigation can bring, not words of love form the deceased's family.
Lynda of TCL
I wonder why the Helen Clark is involved? As she has ignored all the other death caused by her incompetant departments. I can imagine the first question to her peers when she heads back in the office, "how are my ratings now?".
Alex
No - if the Police feel that this unfortunate incident needs to be investigated then it is their call - not Mr Sheehan's. There is a rule of law in this country that must be adhered to by everyone regardless of race, religion, country of origin etc. This has become a media and political farce with Helen Clark at the forefront trying to shore up her political fortunes. It is shallow and cynical and most people are smart enough to see that.
Murray
The Police investigation must continue and for the following reasons. First, the family spokesperson has called for heads to roll over this tragedy. Secondly, no less a person than our Prime Minister has weighed into this in an unprecedented way, not only stating her own views, but implicitly accusing the contractor and the authority of serious and appalling actions (without waiting for all the facts to become known. Thirdly, there are several unanswered questions relating to the whole event, admittedly potentially embarrassing for a number of people inclding the family. We need to remember that it was Mr. Sheehan who first went to the media, it is now Mr Sheehan who wants the police to back off. Sorry Mr. Sheehan sympathetic as I am to you and your family in your tragic loss, the police must be allowed to do their job without hindrance, and to obtain all the relevant facts so that any wrongs my be put right. My suggestion to you is rather than continue to use the media in the way you are doing, simply give the police your full co-operation, answer their questions and wait for all the relevant fact to be put together.
Selwyn James
If the actions of the company resulted in the death of Mrs Muliaga, then the company must be held accountable.I understand the feelings of Mrs Muliaga's family, however if the investigation were dropped, we would be implicitly stating that "it is fine to put profits before public safety" and that is unacceptable. If the only way the law can deal with Mrs Muliaga's death is to charge the contractor, then that process must proceed. No doubt the contractor and his family are under a great deal of stress, after all he was only doing his job. But the decision of how to react should be left to the courts, not the family or the police. I would hope that the contractor be found not guilty and that the court found responsibility lay with the power company. This may help the case for corporate manslaughter legislation, which appears to be necessary to properly resolve this case.It is often the case that people do not wish to lay blame, when things go wrong and the feelings of Mrs Muliaga's family in this regard are charitable. However, this often results in a corporate laissez faire attitude, which can have tragic consequences, as evidenced in this case by Mrs Muliaga's death.
JK Auckland
I think the family have realised that by sitting and waiting 3 hours without seeking help they are also must accept liability for her deathThe first language of this country is English - as citizens of NZ they should be able to communicate in English.At the end of the day some personal responsbility must be accepted by the family also. Its not hard - if you need electricity to survive - you need a contingency plan.
Gert of Auckland
The police investigation must continue, for the sake of the contractor. I believe the Prime Minister should have refrained from making such harsh comments about the contractor until after the investigation. I wonder why the Muliaga family want the investigation to stop? The public need to know the truth. It is a shame the only familys income is from the fathers job? Where's the Working for Family income which they should be entitled to? The two older boys should qualify for student living allowances or the unemployment benefit. Perhaps instead of making more laws for businesses Cullen and Clark should make more laws making sure their election year benefits actually go to the people who need it like the Muliagas, unless of course they are already getting the benefits and the media have forgotten to mention them.
Les (Waitakere)
I don't think that pricing is the main issue here, but rather the arrogant and money-grubbing nature of the utility account managers. After living in the same house for over 15 years, and holding the same power account that whole time, I had my power disconnected for being a week late on my bill payment.I have to say I was fairly disgusted with the attitude of the power company at the time. This was amplified when I was told that I then had to pay a bond to have my power reconnected.I cannot see the necessity for this behavior myself. Its not like I was intentionally stealing electricity, and given the length of time I have held the account with the company, it was hardly likely that I was going to skip town without paying up. It is quite obvious that the utility companies are starting to feel a god-like superiority over the meaningless masses that they service, especially when such things as gaining customer loyalty are irrelevant to them.
Margaret (Tauranga)
The Green Party have gone mad again with their left wing rubbish. If they went any further left they would fall down a black hole and never surface again. Even Helen should have more sense than jumping to conclusions like she has. This woman was extremely ill, she reportedly didn't take her prescribed medicine opting for alternative medicines. Why didn't someone in the family phone WINZ for help when the power was cut. Failing that surely they could have phoned the hospital for help or an ambulance or some one at their Church who could have helped. Seven days notice should be given by power companies when they intend cutting someone's power and in the envelope must go a brochure advising the client what to do in emergency situations such as this.
Richard Ching
As a foreigner reading some of the New Zealander views on how this tragedy is somehow the fault of the family for not being able to pay a paltry bill is just pathetic and awful. It paints an amazing picture that some New Zealanders are so extraordinarily callous, which species do they belong to? Certainly not the human race. New Zealand news does not usually hit the headlines but this very sad story shows a very dark side to your beautiful country.
An episode like this if it were to happen in the UK would see the senior management of the power company facing manslaughter charges. How utterly despicable for the Mercury Power to keep carrying on justifying their position. Equally unacceptable are comments from readers blaming the family for failing to keep up with a miniscule arrears in their bill. Where is your humanity New Zealand?
Raewyn
Where is the humanity,where is the love,where is the common decency? This should never have happened in New Zealand.Oh the shame!
Kipsan Beck
Clearly, no company should ever be allowed to deny a person petrol, telephone, power, water, food, chicken soup or burger rings on the off chance that such action may result in someone dying. The Clark grandstanding is to be expected, and yet again people trying to lay blame. Yes, it is incredibly unfortunate. Yes, it shouldn't have happened. But no, this has little to do with the power company and everything to do with the family's healthcare providers and the family themselves; powercuts are not a once in a lifetime occurance, especially when bills aren't paid, and the family should have been instructed on how to handle such a situation. But let's watch the soap opera play itself out, and once again tax payers and companies will end up subsidising the 'poor and needy.' Thank goodness New Zealand is so economically successful that higher taxes and energy prices can be implemented without problem since the Labour Government has been so kind in its support of the people who actually generate income for the country, rather than fairly obvious vote buying and subsidies for the rest.
Chris
Tragedy has opened up a big wound in every pockets of the consumers in N.Z.I'm deeply sorry that death open the eyes and ears of suppliers and politicians. I read about the outage of power last year. Unbelievable! All these power companies care about is collecting every $ there is to collect.They don't believe in reasoning,no matter how good and genuine the reasons are.Greed is a big factor.What's $168 now,nothing ,as a life more valuable than this bill is gone to her love ones. This day and age is valued by $$$ and so call decency and compassion is fast disappearing. Power to the people and fight a good fight not just for yourselves and for your loss but in acknowledgement to Gov and power companies that something has to be done to open their hearts to the oppression and the needs.With much Love and prayers.
AndyB
Ahhh the classic tall poppy syndrome once again. The higher wage earners are evil and choose to leave lights on all night to spite the spend thrift tree hugging greenies.The simple fact of the matter is power is power... if it goes to heating one spa pool or a whole suburb the electricity company is only worried that someone is paying the bill which covers the cost of generation, delivery and the cost of capital (this means 'profit'...how dare they?!).The 'rich' already pay higher taxes for using the same roads, hospitals, doctors, schools as everyone else and now 'we' are expected to pay more for the same amount of power.Is it just me or is the Green party completely devoid of any logical thought since Rod Donald departed?
Cold customer
Warmth should be within the reach of all. People on benefits cannot afford to have an electric heater or afford the firewood or gas.Heat is a basic necessity in the winter and would cut down all illnesses which are prevalent.I agree that power prices should be lowered for people on low incomes.
Andrew
Susan O'Neill, you hit it on the head!Sadly, the compensation word has come out, the racism card has been drawn, and the political band wagon is on the road.Why does the family deserve compensation? If they had paid the bill to begin with, the power would never have been cut off. And as for the statement of the police being racist? What the...?? I would suggest that its time for some people to start pulling their heads in.
Jenn
My love and condolences to the Muliaga aiga. This is a very stressful and emotional time for all concerned. When all the hoopla has settled down perhaps, hopefully, some lessons can be learned from it. 1. Take care of your health. If you are obese take steps to lose weight. And teach your children healthy habits! 2. Ask friends,relatives,pastor or welfare agencies for help/advice when you are struggling. Let's make sure that we tell our friends and family just what they are entitled to, and how to apply.3. When a person is getting in serious difficulty with breathing or pain or weakness, call an ambulance no matter what they say. 4. Life is hard in NZ. Titheing and faalavelave have to be done in moderation. Sometimes you just have to say No! 5. If decent attempts at bill payments are being made, as was the case here, the power company should not be so hasty in cutting it off.6. Is anyone making sure that the Muliagas are banking that $10,000 cheque?! Make sure it doesn't disappear. And don't feel you have to give the departing overseas relatives big gifts. Will someone help Lopaavea with some financial advice? I am sure the poor man is quite overwhelmed.
Andrew Atkin
Progressive pricing is a good idea. It directly incentivises people to be more efficient by enhancing their monetary profits from being so. However, the power companies will hate it, because it represents a way of controlling demand without increasing average prices, and it incentivises less power use fundamentally. (The power companies have been creaming it with high prices due to our current power under-supply.) This is the best way to improve energy-efficiency because it leaves people alone to make the eco-decisions that are most suited to their personal circumstances - whether it be better insulation, solar water-heating or better strategic use etc.
David
Oh dear, a no brainer idea from Jeanette, let's create another left wing socialist bleeding heart solution. No one is bothering to tell the rest of us that electricity prices are going to increase up to 400 per cent because of the lack of infrastructure maintenance. This is because as the infrastructure fails it will have to be upgraded. And to solve the problem the user will pay, middle income and up. So Jeanette, I hope you will plan for that one too.
Dave
Greens are a walking disaster. No wonder no major political party wants to align themselves or have them in the Caucus. IF you want our exchange (Kiwi dollar) rate to drop like a rock just appoint them to Caucus. They usually talk the talk but do they walk the walk? No, of course not! They just mouth off to get publicity. Usually it is all public relations exercise - balderdash. The Green Party has a slump in ratings so why not come up with a nonsensical policy. Half their policies are luddite.
Tim Wilkes (Avondale)
Am I living in New Zealand or some strange nanny state. Having moved here from the UK for opportunity and lifestyle, all I've seen in the last few years is increasing government and political interference in areas where it isn't needed. If families learned to budget appropriately then there'd be need to offer discounts to the poor. All I see in the Green Party offering is some co-operative namby-pamby clap-trap that encourages people to sit on their butts and blame someone else when things go wrong. What happened to personal responsibility? Yes, some people really can't manage, and there's agencies to help such few cases as there are, but the majority will have a sky dish, will run a car, will buy smokes and alcohol and still moan. I don't want my taxes or electricity bill to have to pay to support such lazy spongers.
Eve
I am beginning to wonder why I bother to go to work every day. I might at well stay home and smoke of the same toke as the Greens!
Peter Watkins
The Greens' idea is once again designed to punish the people who are struggling to make better in this country. The majority of families with 2.5 kids also find it extremely difficult to budget, yet they are expected to pay for power for people on the dole. Nice one Jeanette, maybe a smack would knock some sense&
Steve (Tawa)
We have a tragedy on our hands. No doubt about it. There is no reason anyone in NZ should have their power shut off. I don't think this idea of the Greens is the best way to fix it. We already have great social responsibility programs out there. The only problem is that they all seem to be paid to the recipients in cash. I thought payments made under programs like Working for Families was meant to provide for extra expenses like high energy bills. Of course, families with lower incomes get a larger WfF payment. Unfortunately, because WfF is paid in cash, some cases, it won't actually get used for the purposes that are most beneficial to the recipient's family. If we want to ensure all families have access to basic services, we should convert a portion of programs like WfF into 'energy vouchers' only redeemable for paying your power bill at any power company. These would be non-transferrable, so they couldn't be sold or traded. This would still provide the same level of support to those who require it, while ensuring the generosity of the nation is used wisely.
Natalie
I don't think cheaper power for poor families, but it should be looked at throughout the whole of NZ community as a whole. My husband needs to go see the doctor this week (we are middle class citizens) and it will cost him $120 for this visit (he's just been diagnosed diabetic & not overweight) we also have a $144 power bill to pay and we can't afford to pay it. What's more important, his health or paying so much in power? Our family situation has not changed, since this time last year, but prices just seem too go up and up each winter.
Leon Tan
So how come everyone (including myself) goes along with the capitalist game, chasing the carrot named 'American Dream', knowing full well (however repressed the knowledge) that this pursuit has real consequences, such as death, slavery, exploitation, starvation, and war. Typically, the capitalist diverts attention from this by assaulting its victims with a barrage of admnistration and legal quibbling. Isn't that a slap in the face? The woman asks for a chance to pay her bill a bit later, but of course she does not address the System, she only addresses one of its disempowered functionaries, who of course says, "Don't blame me, I'm just doing my job. My God, imagine if I didn't do my job, I would be fired, then how will I feed myself?" Is it the woman's fault she couldn't pay? Surely its not simply a matter of turning off the power because of unpaid bills here. That old fashioned dimension of ethics rears its unpleasant head. Then we have to think about the fact that she lives in South Auckland, which for those of you who are unfamiliar is like the 'black hole' of Auckland. For a clear idea of the capitalist distribution, one need only compare the South Auckland suburb of say Otara or Otahuhu with the upmarket enclaves of Remuera or Parnell. Oh its hard work to think through all this isn't it? I can feel myself shirking away from the pain of ultimate responsibility. I can almost hear some of your brains switching off, and you saying to me, "Aren't you taking things a bit far?" To you I want to say - no, aren't you not going far enough? Are you not Seeing far enough? It's convenient to stay at the simpleton's level of keeping the capitalist machinery of Mercury separate from the death of the woman by maintaining the following simple logic. Energy is not free, we must pay for it. Not paying is theft, therefore this poor woman didn't own the energy she was using to stay alive. Therefore the energy company is entirely justified to turn off the power. Do you want to live in a society where such things happen? I don't.
Alan
A privatised company using contractors to do their work considers one thing only -money. A private contractor working for a private company considers one thing only, do the job and get paid, forget about anything else. None of these people gave a damn. They do now.
Taxpayer
Sooner or later people on benefits will have higher disposable income than middle-class taxpayers. If Green wins the parliament and put in place, all their plans, I might just retire and live on benefits. Why work my butt off for the sake of charity? Isn't it easy to see why NZ is so uncompetitive in the world? It's because here we encourage spoon-feeding people and discourage competition. Work hard means greedy and not having free service means lack of compassion. It is just so frustrating and discouraging for people who work hard, pay their bills and pay tax to hear politicians saying mindless things like that.
Kirst
I want to know if it comes out that the electricity being cut off was not the causing factor to the death. Will the family be refunding Mercury? And as for the Green's idea, great I guess, if it's across the board. As someone mentioned if people have low usage then give them credits as incentives to keep it low. Personal responsibility is the key factor. Quit blaming Mercury or the man who cut it off. And to all those who go, "How would you feel if it was your mother?" Answer: I would never put my mother in that situation. I would ensure back-up. I would have called ambulance.
Ninne (North Shore)
It is very sad what has happened to Mrs Muliaga, and I agree to cut the power should not have been done. English is not their first language, okay, but they live in New Zealand now, not in Samoa. They have been here for six years, it is about time they learn to speak and understand English. I am a foreigner myself to this country, English is my second language too, and I do not expect anybody here to speak to me in my language or have an interpreter or any other special treatment. I live in New Zealand now, so I live and speak the way of the country. People that do not want to change, well I am sorry, but go back to your own country. That is my view.
Jerry
Well done Green! What's next? Make it illegal for the public transportation systems turning away people who don't want to pay? Make it illegal for the supermarkets not sell stuff to people who don't pay? From where did they learn such a fantastic idea? Karl Marx?
Carol
Although it is extremely sad this mother and wife has died whilst the power was cut to her home, we still do not know whether she would have died regardless, due to her illness. It may indeed be a coincidence, the family did have at least two hours during which time they did nothing, and if they knew their mother was so totally in need of this machine, why did they do nothing?
Murray
Is there any depth of depravity our members of parliament will not go to, if perceived for their own political gain? Sickening responses from all parties, not the least our Prime Minister.If a patient requires a machine to be operable 24/7 to maintain life, surely it would have a backup power facility?
Dom (London)
Just as the Greens started to sound serious over the last few years Ms Fitzsimons attacks the middle class people again. When will she realise Labour has squeezed the middle class dry over the last eight years. There is nothing left to take. The middle cupboard is bare.
Pete Simpson
Alas the Greens once again show their naivety by suggesting what, on the face of it, seems like an excellent idea. Dig a little deeper and their idea starts to fray at the edges. Electricity retailers set retail prices based on their expected cost of purchasing electricity from generators. Retailers forced to provide a large proportion of electricity at low cost, as the Greens suggest, would require an increase in the remainder supplied to higher volume users. That increase would, of necessity, be significantly unpalatable, causing a rapid adjustment in many households to stay below the threshold. All good so far and consistent with our aim of reducing energy consumption. Putting aside the difficulty in setting a suitable threshold, if demand for the higher price electricity falls due to the split pricing approach, then as sure as eggs are eggs, power retailers will invariably have to raise the price of their 'low cost' offerings, in order to cover their cost of buying electricity, plus the risks they face in doing so in an increasingly fragile electricity market. Back to square one! The only realistic Government action then would be to revert back to central control for electricity supply, guaranteeing rates of return to generators, and ensuring supply at a weighted average cost to supply. Given much of our base load plant is well and truly paid for, Kiwi's could expect a decline of more than 20 per cent in their electricity bills under this framework. Of course, that also means Government forgoes millions in taxes and profits from its SOEs. A shocking conundrum indeed!
Lorraine, Auckland.
Although this is a tragedy, we need to look at it less emotionally and more factually. It seems to me that no one from the family contacted Mercury Energy (and yes I am a customer) to say there was a problem and as I am an asthmatic and at times have had trouble paying my bill due to hospital etc they have always been sympathetic to me and worked something out for me. As for treating the family, "sensitive to their culture", they are living in NZ and anyone living here should abide by our "culture", after all that is why they came to live here and all the benefits that entails so why should ppl speak in Samoan or wear Samoan clothing? I do not blame the contractor, after all he was just doing what he is paid to do and it is not his social responsibility to decide whether someone's need is genuine or not. He could have waited until they rang the office, granted, but it is not his job to decide whether their case is one of genuine hardship. Lets move on from this, it has happened and as sad as it is, nothing can be done to bring this lady back so let us learn from this and put policy in practice to prevent this happening again but let us move on!
Huia Gold Coast Aust
How bad does it get when actions like this are taken without compassion or pity for someone struggling to breathe and stay alive. Anyone who has ever suffered a serious bout of congestive heart failure would understand. There will always be plenty of emotion-fuelled debate discussing the technicalities of why the poor lady died and it is all just typical of what is going wrong in NZ. No one is responsible for anything anymore. The almighty dollar is god and god is great especially to corporations who must maintain their shareholders interests at all costs. I feel sorry for the lady and her family and I think nothing will happen because it never does.
Belinda
The contractor employed to cut the power off should have realised the seriousness of the situation and refused to continue disconnecting the power. Maybe then someone in a higher position could have looked into the matter more thoroughly and this woman would still be alive.
Anna
If you would like to show your support for Mercury Energy there is a petition running:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support4mercury/
Ati
First of all, our hearts go out to the Muliaga family, sincere condolences to the whanau. What has happened is very sad indeed and while there are alot of people out there screaming for heads to roll, as well as blaming the two sides for what has happened,I think it would be better to wait on the results from the police findings, this message goes out to the media especially who find it appropriate scavenge a story somehow. However, remember the grieving family,especially dad and the children have been drawn into a senseless,circle of blame and condemnation and I am concerned for the after affects, physically and emotionally, that will continue to take its course when their loved one will be laid to rest. If New Zealanders have a heart, show it by being supportive not judging. We all dont know what is around the corner for each and everyone of us. The family have enough to deal with and to face let alone the whole nation, deciding what they should have or should not have done. They are a family that are suffering, please leave them alone to grieve. I do not know them but visited the home with some friends to pay our respects, they are a very humble family.Allow them to grieve with dignity instead of everyone's views, they have a long road ahead of them and only time will tell them to come to grips with what has happened. This opens our eyes to understand they are only one of many families out there struggling,geniunely struggling, so please have a heart and let them be.
Graeme
I sympathise with the family concerned lost their wife and mother. However the media beatup on this has really got out of control. This incident occurred in the Labour held Mangere electorate which Field held before going independent. I might be a little cynical but the immediate concern and the visit by Clark to the residence smacks of out and out politicking in the most blatant way just to retain the votes that she desperately needs to retain that seat even though it appeared to be the highest polling one. With the ongoing TV and Media carryon together with Clark and Co I almost expect a state funeral. Imagine what her concern would have been if there was a power outage as Auckland experienced some time ago. Clark would have spent even less time in the debating chamber calling on all those who died during that time especially if the deaths were in Mangere. It would be interesting to know how m