KEY POINTS:
Here is another selection of Your Views:
Sarah
I am shocked at peoples views blaming the family for the death of their Mother. In fact I am so surprised that I am sceptical enough to wonder is this was a PR campaign afterall we just found out Solid Energy employs students to spy on legitimate democratic protest groups. There is something wrong with the whole energy sector - remember when we had no power in Auckland for months - these managers are a joke. Also in response to the fact that the family did not call 111 - they were respecting the view of their Mother who asked them not to call (she was probably worried she would be presented with another bill) and it was too late when they realised she couldn't breathe. And the Mother was probably so distressed she wasn't thinking straight - she could have gone to hospital but her breathing machine would still have been off until they paid the bill.At the end of the day a bill of under $200 that has had 2 payments made on it and without getting a disconnection notice giving them time to pay seems completely unlawful. Lets face it Mercury energy makes more money by making these desperate people pay a reconnection fee as well as their bill. And shame on the CEO by suggesting on Campbell live that he was actually helping them get out of debt by cutting them off as they have to pay a reconnection fee now as well as their bill. Does he really believe Kiwi's are so stupid? It's about time that the boards of these companies are held accountable. If they are potentially prepared to put people's lives at risk to make $200 for the company perhaps their should be an ethical component in their salary to weed these attitudes out. I'm changing my electricity account to Meridian Energy and suggest everyone else switches as well!
Jo
We are all responsible for our own health and well being. I have a child with cerebral palsy that requires equipment that uses power. I would never be in this situation because the power bill is the first that is paid. Why did they all just sit there for three hours and wait to see what happened. Come on, lets not lay blame on the 'big company' when they have so many customers, how are the suppose to know all our individual needs.And to all those people who are ringing the call centre and calling those on the end of the line murderers and such, get a grip, as if it has anything to do with them!
Val Wollans
I find this an appalling state and it is happening throughout the country.The power and the water companies have no accountability and for a woman to die for us as a country puts us in the third world category. It shows us that human life is worth nothing.The contractor was doing his job and therefore should not be charged but the power company as the employer and instructor should be made accountable.We no longer have a human face making these choices but someone who does not want to talk to the consumer.We have become a society of non accountable faceless people.
Taz
Noel nice one.. don't pay your bill and get disconnected to sure why to go numb nut!As for the rest, will be interesting what came out of this, at what point did the son take responsibility to call the ambulance? or was his mum still spoon feeding him... I hear there is a protest today... Mercury I will be there to support you and your staff!
Janice
Once a person is on oxygen, it's unpredictable as to what the outcome will be if all of a sudden it gets cut off. Perhaps the mother thought she would be okay for a few days until the family negotiates the bill. Who knows? I'm sure the family wouldn't be that neglectful had they known what was going to happen within those first few hours. The bill was only $167 not over $200 - surely Mercury could have worked something out with them. I also understand the family were making attempts at paying it off. So they weren't just doing nothing! However, the contractor was there and saw the mother's predicament. He could have rung his boss and explained the situation.
Tracy
At the end of the day, whether or not Mecury should or should not have cut the power off is irrelevant. The reason the woman is dead is because her family did nothing! Her sons are 18 & 20, they are old enough to have been able to make alternative arrangements, ring family, friends, the church minister - anyone. They did nothing, they sat around & let their mother die. Charges should be considered against them rather than the power company or the contractor.
Jane
It's about time people took responsibility for their own actions or lack of and stop pointing the finger, it is sad that it has come to the loss of a life but come on there were a couple of hours before she passed away, plenty of time for a family member to call a) an ambulance, b) another family member, c) their church, d) the power company. If, they only had a portable phone (which requires power) then I'm sure a family member could have driven to the nearest phone/gone next door. One needs to question whether a negligence manslaughter charge should be brought upon the family for not reacting to the situation they found themselves in.
Realist
Its a damn shame that a family has lost its mum.Its also a shame that an overweight, diabetic person with heart and lung disease can bring the whole family to New Zealand and live off of our tax paid public health system.Its also a shame that all the finger pointing is going on and some poor mug just doing his job will get the blame. Life is hard sometime.It would be a good idea if the rest of the family decided to get healthy otherwise they might end up with the same fate.
Gold coast
It's too late for apologies now to the family, they have lost a loving wife and mother, all over an outstanding account of $168-40. Shame on you mercury energy! Just shows what the world has become - full of greed, no compassion.
Chelsea from Auckland
If the husband knew that his wife needed oxygen why didnt he call 111 to put her in hospital until they were able to come to some agreement. They were notified that the account was in arrears and why didn't the family come together and contact Mercury Energy to let them know that, with the Samoan community they would have been able to get help or support. If your wife is in need of oxygen why would you let the power go into arrears to be cut off I know I would have done something about it by finding ways of paying my account as for me personally my mother would come first. Where there is a will there is a way. How many other New Zealanders have this problem but they still find a way to deal with it especially when your loved ones are ill wouldn't you go out of the way to do something to rectify the problem rather than wait until its too late and then blame Mercury Energy its their fault that why she passed away. We all were born with a brain to use. I do feel for the famil y and their loss of their wife and mum. I totally dont believe that its Mercury Energys fault. Now there is compensation in review for the family for an account that was unpaid, You go figure.
Nigel Wade
I think everyone should stop paying their Mercury bills until some sort of sense is made of this mess. I for one will be sending a photo of the money I currently owe Mercury and demand for action to the energy minister, the prime ministers office, mercury customer care and my local mp, and a extremely large new Zealand mailing list. I'll be placing the amount into an envelope, and when I see satisfactory action I'll pay my bill. I hope others will take similar action, or you can just follow my lead :)
Jennifer Wilson
I will be waiting for the outcome of this report. if mercury have failed in any way, I certainly will be changing power suppliers.
Griff
It is absolutely disgusting that any house be disconnected of power for a measly sum of $168 especially when the family was showing it was trying its best to pay.
What is happening to our morals is it all money? Its all take take take all for increased profit. How much is a life worth ? I think it is time the government step in and take back control of our electricity and telecommunications.
dinesh
Its about time Government should take over.
Cherie From Auckland
Why blame Mercury Energy for the loss of your wife and mother. The family had 2 1/2 hours after the power was cut. They could have rung 111 or use a neighbours home for the electricity to help her breath while they were sorting this out, they had a huge amount of time before she passed on. Now they are trying to get compensated for that. Why leave it until 2 1/2 hours later, they really should look at themselves if anyone to blame. An ambulance would only take minutes to arrive if called, and knowing that her illness is life threatening. As for compensation take a look at the whole story, a family who couldn't afford to pay their electricity now wants compensation from Mercury Energy after 2 1/2 hours been left without oxygen when something could have been done to save her. I am not heartless but really look at the situation. And also being a Christian and involved in the church where was the help or was it lack of communication. You cant tell me it was Mercury Energys fault I am glad that the police are involved.
Gavin, North Shore
If the family had of paid the bill in the first place like the majority of NZ, this wouldn't of happened. The family obviously needed the power on so paying the bill should of been a high priority. And if it was such a high priority, was there a UPS (uninterupted power supply) on the property?I am with the power company on this one. Utilities like this do not cut services the day after the bill is due, there are at least 2 or 3 final notices before such drastic action is taken.
Jo (Dunedin)
I think people shouldn't jump to conclusions about what happened. I think we dont know what the full story is. I feel for the contractor who will get a hellava time over this. I think the family should be more accountable for what happened
Ben (Berlin, Germany)
Shame on Mercury Energy this is just barbaric, there are more than 24 article only in German News about this case - is this New Zealand paradise I have lived for some years ?
Louisa
I'm genuinely sorry for the family's loss but fail to see how, if the family had two hours in which to get their mother to help (or call help to them), that its the contractors fault?
Sara, Masterton
When a person dies for the sake of $168.40 in this country, it is a clear indication of how big businesses really regard their consumers and customers. We are simply numbers who make their profit for them and treated as such. As for the contractor who turned the electricity off, his is a clear case of how robotic we have become in this country. If we don't know what to do in a situation, we do nothing. In this case this man obviously didn't have the nerve to make a sensible decision, or leave to take other advice and so he did nothing except 'his job'. Mercury Energy may not have known anything about this family and their mothers health, but had the contractor had the backbone to leave and inform them there was a problem, they might have.No matter how anyone tries to turn this back onto the family or wriggle out of it - the case is simple, at the 11th hour someone knew about this and chose to do nothing. It does not negate the fact that a woman in our so called civilised country died for the sake of $168.40. It is disgusting.
Suzie from Sumatra. Justice for all!
This is an absolute outrage! I find it incomprehensible that Mercury Energy is soO concerned about profit it has no room for humanity. What has happened to our world? Is it only about profit and greed? What about people? Next we will be dumping homeless, sick people in a 'no go' area like they do in LA. I am sickened to hear of the totally unnecessary death of the woman in Mangere Bridge. She is a mother, a wife, an early education teacher - what prize for profit? Shame on you Mercury Energy!
Kiwi in U.S.
Life is tough enough without a power company killing you. All their corporate bluster and excuses is pure bull. They can't bring her back, but they better figure out a way to make reparation. Somebody needs to hold Mercury's feet to the fire for this.
Dick (Waiheke Island)
Corporate greed culture is all too prevalent in NZ society, since 'Roger Douglas' labour reforms began in the 1980s. -Social experimentation has failed to improve NZ Education, Health or Social Welfare over recent times. -When or where will 'experiments' end? Government authorised 'bureaucratic dictatorships' have resulted in several 'crimes against humanity, now with another well publicised fatality. 'Mercury Energy Ltd., should be held accountable for their socially irresponsible actions. Unfortunately, our NZ Govt should carry the ultimate blame, for this latest disaster?
Richard
Unbelievable. Considering the rude, inconsiderate and uncaring customer service that I and many others I know have experienced from Mercury Energy, this incident is just another case of putting profits before people. As for the person who disconnected the power, "Just doing your job" is not an excuse - it's just a lame cop out from them having some guts and maybe going out of their way to help another human being in need. I have already changed power companies as I will not support a corporation with values like this.
Fosta
Its the fault of the doctors who administered the oxygen machine without a power backup, not the power company. It could have just as easily been a power cut, car accident taking out power lines or even a blown fuse that could have stopped the machine. If the woman was that dependent on the machine, the machine should have been fail-safe. Why didn't the doctor tell Mercury of the situation?! Seems common sense, but perhaps beyond a quack whose career decision is based on earning money. As usual with the medical profession- no care and no responsibility. Second at fault is the contractor for not thinking that the woman with the tubes hanging out of her may not be in danger if he cut the power. Third at fault is the family themselves for not paying their bill. You would think if power is important to you then you would ensure your bills are paid. Mercury was simply acting as any power company would: If you dont pay your bill, your power gets cut. Its about time that the medical profession started to take the rap for their mistakes.
Gary
Whilst this is a dreadful time for the family, what would have happened had there been a power cut? If this lady was so ill that she needed this oxygen machine 24/7, why was she released from hospital.I think there is a wider issue here - not just about the power company cutting the power (which would be the same as a powercut in such a short space of time). Was this lady released from hospital too soon or without proper medical advice or follow up?
MM
I have sympathy for the family for the passing of their mother and wife. But thats as far as it goes. Lets look at the bigger picture here. Why didn't the son phone for an ambulance. It is the families responsibility to keep their bills up to date. How many other companies did they owe.Dont blame the power company or the guy who turned off their power.It was the Muliaga family who didnt pay their bills.
Michelle
This is a case of the big guys against the little guy!The little guy rarely wins in our society.
It is a tragedy that this lady has died and my heart goes out to the family. I do have to ask though.....why didn't the mum let the family call an ambulance as soon as it was clear that there were problems?
Michelle Taylor
While what happened was an unfortunate thing, and I am sorry for their loss. Yet, I think a few issues need to be thought about: 1. "hours later she was dead". If someone in your family relies on oxygen to survive and the power gets disconnected - shouldnt you call an ambulance straight away? 2. I've been a student, and had power disconnected twice. There are reminder notices sent, phone calls. It's not a sudden process, and people need to be responsible for paying their bills and contacting their utility companies if they have difficulty paying.3. If someone in your family relies on an oxygen machine to survive shouldn't your electricity bill be your number 1 priority?4. if you require an oxygen machine to live, why aren't you in hospital? the CMO of the district health board admits that she should not have been reliant on the machine, or she would have not been released from hospital. If she was that ill her family should have done the responsible thing and called the ambulance. 5. When the disconnection guy comes to your door, if you said to his face "A family member needs power to survive, if you have disconnected our power then you will kill them", then I'm sure he'd do more than just "walk off". If he does, then you call an ambulance. It's all very unfortunate, but I don't think the power company should be held accountable. They were only following the same process that everyone gets subjected to when they don't pay their power bill. If someone in your family relies on a machine to survive then you need to think about whether you can provide the appropriate care and environment for them. Sanitary conditions, power, water etc need to be your priority. She should have been in a hospital - the investigators need to stop pointing finger at the power company (who were just doing their job) and point it at the hospital and ask "why was this person discharged?"
Pauline
I think everybody should stop getting on the bandwagon and blaming Mercury Energy.Let's wait and see (a) What really happened (b) What the post mortem results tell us.
RC
Even tho it was wrong of Mercury Energy to cut the power I think that people need to cut the company some slack. Yes the power was turned off and I am sorry for the families lost in such a horrible situation but why didn't they call an ambulance sooner if they knew something was wrong?
Margot
The whole situation is extremely tragic and should never have happened!However, we have to ask serious questions. What is the government doing letting in whole families of unskilled labour? Was this a state house paid for by you and I. I'm not sure a part time kitchen hand could pay a mortgage and support a family of 5. I wouldn't go to another country and expect their taxpayers to support me, pay for my accommodation or give me free health care. I don't think any other countries would allow this either. Just proves that NZ has broadcast to the world 'get your free lunch here'.
Jess
I agree that it was a tragedy that this has happened to that family but all this could have been avoided. First off, they should have made sure their power bill was paid. They use it, they should pay for it. 2ndly, the contractor was doing his job and they had time to call an ambulance or take her to the hospital. I mean, our tax dollars were probably paying for her medical bills anyway. They also could have phone Mercury to explain the situation.If her family was smart enough they could have avoided her death, but wasn't it written that she said no to an ambulance and her children only called for one after she had passed out?
Ray
I have nothing but bad experiences with power company. I found my time dealing with them so stress and the staffs are so unprofessional as well. So I was not surprise when this incident happened to this family. Why don't we put the contractor on a lie detective test and see if he pass or fail. From then we will find out who's the telling the truth.
LJ
Some of the Your Views, make me ashamed to be a New Zealander. I doubt people would be so stereotypical in their judgment of the family if they were of European descent. It's all well & good saying why didn't they do this, why didn't they do that - when someone is dying right before your eyes, you don't think straight! Plus her sons are just kids - they would have been scared out of their minds not knowing what to do! My thoughts & prayers go out to her husband and sons. May she now rest in peace.
Julie
If the mother, who was an early childhood teacher, life depended on electricity then why didn't she or her family tell the power company long before the power was cut off. They would have had numerous overdue notices urging them to pay or contact the power company. Not alerting the power company of their predicament is not the fault of the power company who have thousands of customers. If the son, who is old enough to have done something, had honestly believed that electricity was necessary to keep his mother alive then HE should have done something about it. Until a full report is released, if I were feel sorry for anyone it is the contractor. Lets wait for the police investigation to prove whose version is the correct one.
Dave
Family were pretty quick to get on the phone to the media, pity they were not a bit quicker getting on the phone to the Ambulance. This is the problem with this socialist state we live, nobody knows how to take responsibility for themselves any more and want to blame everyone else except for themselves.I your Mum is going to die ring the ambulance.
Hilary
Quit blaming Mercury.
Polynesian community wake up:1) If you are going to accept that big = beautiful rather than obesity = death, then find ways to pay the bills that result from that. i.e. church, extended family and all others sort the issues out.2) Church leaders and elders: instead of demanding large payments to the church and to be sent back to Samoa, look after your own here first.3) Polynesian medical people: get into homes and do something about obese kids and attitudes that expect everyone else to sort out these problems except the people themselves. If this family had stayed in Samoa as the husband wanted, would this woman have even been alive today? Perspective is needed; personal/family responsibility is needed, people who play the corporate/government/ blame game should be reminded that that is a cop out.Everyone is a self-made person, but only the successful admit it.
Marie
Although this is a sad/horrible situation for the family I do feel for Mercury Energy, if they are to be charged for manslaughter questions should also be asked about the family that didn't call an ambulance or arrange another power source ie. from a neighbour etc as the death could have been prevented, even after the power was switched off.
Diane
Have you or any family member ever been really sick. Do you know anyone who has or is suffering from breathing relating illness? Are you a Mom? When there is illness in a family, the normal dynamics of any household are thrown into chaos. Most of the energy is targeted at the ill and the impact it is having on the family. Normal day to day decisions and the running of a household take a "Back seat". Who then when faced with financial difficulties, which may not only be with the electricity bill Thinks of all the consequences and necessary procedures to be followed. Surely all your energy is directed to the ill family member. The worries and concerns. Did switching off the electricity kill her? Why didn't they go next door? Why did they wait to call an ambulance? I am a Mom and like many feel responsible for my children's well being. I try to shield & protect them from the horrid Money/Power hungry world we live in. When situations are terrible and money problems have arisen is it not normal to try and spare the children the worry. Why should this Mom have been any different? Can you put yourself in her shoes and imagine how she must have been feeling, knowing that the family were going to spend a night in the cold and dark. Know that it was because of her illness the family was now faced with this additional burden. Would you not have tried to spare the children, take their minds off it? Asked them to sing you a song? Hence do you not try think that it will be ok? But the added stress of this deli mina and your failing health. Would this not cause extra stress and worry? Would this not lead to her illness moving to a place that even she didn't understand or comprehend? That she didn't want to be any more of a burden and make a huge issue from it.
Chris
Look at them all duck for cover. This family has been dealt a terrible injustice and I am dismayed at the lack of compassion on Your Views. I once had my power cut off and I know how easily it can happen, we only got one reminder that unfortunately got mixed up with junk mail, we got no phone call, next thing we had a contractor turn up to disconnect the power. It was an honest mistake, it was our first and only offence and I wanted to pay on the spot to avoid the disconnection but Empower's 'disconnection process' would not allow it. To hell with their processes, Power Companies need a good shake up in my opinion I hope this is a catalyst for change and some good comes out of this.
Noelz(Auckland)
I find the message from Dave in Wellington who commented on Mrs Muliaga's children being obese!!How dare you say that about her children. It's got nothing to do with how they are. Comment on the present situation for goodness sake.On the agenda: We cannot say exactly if Mercury was informed at any time about her health situations and also the financial difficulty of the family(If any)in which they might of had. All it goes down to in my opinion is that,this was a tragic event and someone should take responsibility for the death of this lady. I am eager to wait to see the end results of the investigation and then I can really find out where the mistake was made.
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