The Star: April 05, 2018

The Star 19
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WITH JUST two more months
of autumn to go, winter is
coming. And with it, cold
weather and higher power bills.
I know for a lot of people,
especially older people on fixed
incomes, this can be a worrying
time.
And there are people for
whom rising winter power bills
have simply become too much
to meet. About 1600 Kiwis die
each year due to cold housing
in winter and thousands more
end up in hospital. Older New
Zealanders and those on fixed
incomes tend to be hardest hit.
That’s not right and we can do
better.
And there’s good evidence
that we can do better. The
International Energy Agency
has said that in New Zealand
residential power prices have
risen by 50 per cent since the
year 2000 and have risen much
faster than in many other
countries we compare ourselves
to.
Kiwis need to know that when
they go to the mail box and get
their power bills every month,
they are getting a fair deal.
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Electricity review about ‘getting a fair deal’
That’s why last week the
Government announced the
final terms of reference for our
Electricity Pricing Review.
The review will be a thorough
look at the entire electricity
market, from generation through
transmission and distribution
to retail, to establish if prices are
fair, the market is competitive
and if consumers are getting a
good deal.
It will also look at the way that
new technology is changing what
people have to pay for power. For
example, solar panels are a great
way for people to bring down the
cost of the power they pay for,
but they mean people don’t have
to be connected to the electricity
grid, pushing up the price for
everyone else.
Our review will make sure we
have the regulations and systems
in place to make sure we can get
the most out of new technology
without it having unintended
consequences.
While this review happens,
though, our Government is also
doing more to help people with
the cost of their power bills –
this year we are introducing a
Thursday April 5 2018
Fire rages, homes at risk
Winter Energy Payment. This
will be available for every New
Zealander over 65 who receives
superannuation or veteran’s
pension, as well as people
receiving a main benefit, to heat
their homes during the coldest
months.
The annual rates of payment
will be $450 for single people
with no dependent children, and
$700 for couples or single people
with dependent children.
These actions we are taking
mean more people will be able
to afford to heat their homes and
stay warm this winter.
•Megan Woods is the
Minister of Greater
Christchurch Regeneration
sports facility . . . it’s bad enough
trying to park anywhere near
the hospital as it is, don’t even
consider trying to park in the
area when Saturday sports are
on at Hagley Park, the parking
building being built now will not
be enough.
New Government MPs
are working to resolve
Christchurch Hospital’s
parking situation by the
start of winter as the
situation reaches “crunch
point.”
Debbie Hamel – It is
absolutely disgusting that there
is nowhere to park. As if we don’t
have enough worries when we
go to hospital. Christchurch city
needs to suck it up and release
some of Hagley Park, it’s just
stupid.
Colleen Hamilton – I have
to take my husband once or
twice every week for nearly two
years. He’s too ill now to use the
shuttle. The added stress of trying
to find a park is beyond anything.
Yes we do have a mobility
COLD: Authorities are working together to try and avoid situations like this, where people had to
wait for the shuttle as ex-cyclone Gita pummelled the city. PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER
sticker but never any parks free
. . . the ill and elderly don’t appear
to be of any importance.
Mark Peters – This is third
world, time for a solution. I like
the proposal to use the underutilised
Lichfield St city council
car park with a shuttle service
to the hospital. Added benefit
of encouraging people back
towards the CBD.
Gilda Campbell – Even at
1am there is nowhere to park,
my daughters appendix had
burst and we had to walk in the
dark from ages away.
Nichola Tyson – Just wait
until/if they build the metro
Karen Whila – Imagining
my dad at 94 standing there in
those appalling conditions. One
whiff of a southerly could kill
him.
Dinah Jane Geda – Parking
for nurses, other shift workers,
patients and visitors needs to be
a priority in this city. The present
situation is disgraceful and an
embarrassment. It needs to be
addressed urgently. Nurses are
already overworked from their
understaffing issues and have
been ‘working’ for years just to
find a park to get to their employment
location, unacceptable
and very stressful.
Maggie Mariner – Any
Cantabrian who has stood in the
elements in a south-westerly/
rain and cold knows how bitter
it is. Shelters are required at bare
minimum.
•More Rise Up, page 21
Volunteer Drivers Needed For
Red Cross Meals On Wheels &
Community Transport
• Weekdays only
• Regular or Relief
rostering
• Current NZ
drivers licence
• Training given
Meals on Wheels - Pat 339 3759
Community Transport - Vicki 027 839 7724
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