NZCPR Newsletter: Moving Ahead

A number of opinion polls published over recent weeks confirm support for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s National-led governing Coalition is holding. That’s in spite of the tough economic times, public service resistance, and biased media reporting.

Kerre Woodham: It won't be that simple to solve the electricity crisis

It won't be a particularly good morning for the people of the central North Island. There was a sense of inevitability really, though, with the announcement that Winstone International will be closing its two mills near Ohakune. For months now, Winstone have been working on trying to find a way to keep the mills open in the face of declining commodity prices and astronomically high power prices.

Bryan Leyland: The electricity crisis - what caused it and options for fixing it

On the morning of 19th May blackouts were averted only because New Zealanders made a patriotic effort to reduce demand. Prices went up rapidly and peaked at more than $3/kWh later in the day. This risky situation is likely to continue for a number of years.

The Electricity Authority has ignored it even though their objective is to “…achieve a sustainable, accessible, secure and resilient energy system to keep the lights on…”. Their website also says “Consumers' best interests are at the heart of everything we do.” Perhaps they should be reminded that avoidable high prices, power restrictions and the threat of blackouts are not in the best interest of consumers.