More than a million households could be overpaying for power this winter, as more Kiwis struggle to pay the bill at all.

Around half of Kiwi households haven’t switched providers in five or more years, which is potentially costing them hundreds of extra dollars a year. 

Consumer NZ says that sticking with the same provider can result in a “loyalty tax”, as better deals are often only offered to new customers. 

Consumer Powerswitch Manager Paul Fuge told Kerre Woodham everyone grumbles about prices and their company, but they think it’s time something has to be done about prices. 

He says it's causing harm to consumers and the economy, and it can’t keep going the way it is, so they've started a petition. 

Fuge says that while some people have always struggled to pay their bills, the number of households struggling is increasing every year. 

“Middle New Zealand is now struggling to pay their power bill, and that’s not acceptable.” 

LISTEN ABOVE 

More than a million households could be overpaying for power this winter, as more Kiwis struggle to pay the bill at all.
Around half of Kiwi households haven’t switched providers in five or more years, which is potentially costing them hundreds of extra dollars a year.&nbsp;
Consumer NZ says that sticking with the same provider can result in a “loyalty tax”, as better deals are often only offered to new customers.&nbsp;
Consumer Powerswitch Manager Paul Fuge told Kerre Woodham everyone grumbles about prices and their company, but they think it’s time something has to be done about prices.&nbsp;
He says it's causing harm to consumers and the economy, and it can’t keep going the way it is, so they've started <a href="https://campaigns.consumer.org.nz/end-high-power-prices-now">a petition</a>.&nbsp;
Fuge says that while some people have always struggled to pay their bills, the number of households struggling is increasing every year.&nbsp;
“Middle New Zealand is now struggling to pay their power bill, and that’s not acceptable.”&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Join Kerre Woodham one of New Zealand’s best loved personalities as she dishes up a bold, sharp and energetic show Monday to Friday 9am-12md on Newstalk ZB. News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your morning listening covered.

Kerre Woodham Mornings Podcast

Paul Fuge: Consumer Powerswitch Manager on high electricity prices, households overpaying for power

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b1c05c62-81ca-4fe4-a13a-b46b001beac0/transcript

I'm going to start with good news today. Now, I know we don't normally, but it is such good news I have to comment, and it's also a topic dear to all our respective talkback hearts. And that is that almost all of Parliament is backing the 30 year infrastructure plan. You'll have heard it in our news, the Coalition Government comprising National, ACT, and New Zealand First, as well as Labour and the Greens, have committed to the Infrastructure Commission's blueprint for major works in this country, and bloody well done to them, I say. To get this sort of rare across the house support, the Commission must have done an excellent job of prioritising works, justifying the order of works, outlining what needs to happen for these works to be done. Chief Executive of the Infrastructure Commission, Geoff Cooper, is absolutely delighted, as he should be. 

“I think this is a great step forward. It is a significant opportunity for New Zealand to get to get better outcomes for infrastructure, and it's not every day that you've got the government and the opposition parties saying, “Yep, we can see a plan forward here."” 

There are 16 recommendations, 10 priorities for the next decade, and this had to happen. We don't have to imagine the cost of a stop-start approach to vital infrastructure; the numbers have already been crunched. A report out earlier this month showed that pausing, cancelling, and delaying infrastructure projects has cost New Zealand an estimated $11.8 billion in the last 25 years. Auckland Light Rail, Transmission Gully, the Interislander Ferry replacements, just in recent times have all been paused, delayed, or scrapped. Both main parties have been guilty of prioritising ideology over the country's wellbeing, but now, hopefully, the next generation won't have to see money literally disappearing down drains.  

Kieran McAnulty, in his foreword to the Infrastructure Commission's plan —the Government, Chris Bishop, Kieran McAnulty, and Julie Anne Genter from the Greens all wrote a foreword to the plan— put it very well. He said both Labour and National-led governments had announced projects without funding them, watched costs balloon, and then scrapped what the other side started. He said every time the plan changes, we lose time, we lose money, and we lose the skilled people who build these things —too many of them— to Australia. That's the problem this plan sets out to fix. He said the plan offered a long-term, evidence-based path that did not belong to any one government, a prize bigger than any single policy. That is very well stated.  

Green Party infrastructure spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said the party supported all 16 recommendations in the plan and said the Party overall welcomed the Government's intention and urges that this commitment to long-term planning and evidence-informed decision-making continues to drive investment in long-lived assets. Now, Labour and the Greens have some reservations, but not enough to put a spoke in the wheel, not enough to hold up this fantastic blueprint for the future. Ultimately, they have come together to support a long-term vision for the country that will benefit all future voters, whatever party they support. 

I'm going to start with good news today. Now, I know we don't normally, but it is such good news I have to comment, and it's also a topic dear to all our respective talkback hearts. And that is that almost all of Parliament is backing the 30 year infrastructure plan. You'll have heard it in our news, the Coalition Government comprising National, ACT, and New Zealand First, as well as Labour and the Greens, have committed to the Infrastructure Commission's blueprint for major works in this country, and bloody well done to them, I say. To get this sort of rare across the house support, the Commission must have done an excellent job of prioritising works, justifying the order of works, outlining what needs to happen for these works to be done. Chief Executive of the Infrastructure Commission, Geoff Cooper, is absolutely delighted, as he should be.&nbsp;
“I think this is a great step forward. It is a significant opportunity for New Zealand to get to get better outcomes for infrastructure, and it's not every day that you've got the government and the opposition parties saying, “Yep, we can see a plan forward here."”&nbsp;
There are 16 recommendations, 10 priorities for the next decade, and this had to happen. We don't have to imagine the cost of a stop-start approach to vital infrastructure; the numbers have already been crunched. A report out earlier this month showed that pausing, cancelling, and delaying infrastructure projects has cost New Zealand an estimated $11.8 billion in the last 25 years. Auckland Light Rail, Transmission Gully, the Interislander Ferry replacements, just in recent times have all been paused, delayed, or scrapped. Both main parties have been guilty of prioritising ideology over the country's wellbeing, but now, hopefully, the next generation won't have to see money literally disappearing down drains. &nbsp;
Kieran McAnulty, in his foreword to the Infrastructure Commission's plan —the Government, Chris Bishop, Kieran McAnulty, and Julie Anne Genter from the Greens all wrote a foreword to the plan— put it very well. He said both Labour and National-led governments had announced projects without funding them, watched costs balloon, and then scrapped what the other side started. He said every time the plan changes, we lose time, we lose money, and we lose the skilled people who build these things —too many of them— to Australia. That's the problem this plan sets out to fix. He said the plan offered a long-term, evidence-based path that did not belong to any one government, a prize bigger than any single policy. That is very well stated. &nbsp;
Green Party infrastructure spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said the party supported all 16 recommendations in the plan and said the Party overall welcomed the Government's intention and urges that this commitment to long-term planning and evidence-informed decision-making continues to drive investment in long-lived assets. Now, Labour and the Greens have some reservations, but not enough to put a spoke in the wheel, not enough to hold up this fantastic blueprint for the future. Ultimately, they have come together to support a long-term vision for the country that will benefit all future voters, whatever party they support.&nbsp;

Kerre Woodham: A fantastic blueprint for the future

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0c37ecd1-ab2a-4d17-9ad9-b46c001171e9/transcript

The Opportunity Party says a property tax shake-up's front of mind. 

The Party needs 5% to break into the Beehive, and has been scoring between 3% and 6% in polls. 

The centrist party's proposing a blanket Land Value Tax, claiming it'll bring house prices down by up to 15%. 

Leader Qiulae Wong told Kerre Woodham they want land banking to become less attractive. 

She says it's about shifting the income tax burden on to land tax, so people can't just grow wealth from property. 

WATCH ABOVE

The Opportunity Party says a property tax shake-up's front of mind.&nbsp;
The Party needs 5% to break into the Beehive, and has been scoring between 3% and 6% in polls.&nbsp;
The centrist party's proposing a blanket Land Value Tax, claiming it'll bring house prices down by up to 15%.&nbsp;
Leader Qiulae Wong told Kerre Woodham they want land banking to become less attractive.&nbsp;
She says it's about shifting the income tax burden on to land tax, so people can't just grow wealth from property.&nbsp;

WATCH ABOVE

Qiulae Wong: The Opportunity Party Leader talks tax policy, superannuation, welfare

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/11f4d350-a345-495f-b984-b46c000428df/transcript

The way the Government acquires land under the Public Works Act is being labelled unfair.  

Grey Lynn locals are the latest to deal with their land potentially being bought for a major Auckland busway.  

The Transport Agency plans to build the 18 kilometre Northwest Busway, to link the CBD with the city's western suburbs.  

It will soon be acquiring half of the homes on Ivanhoe Road, to tear them down for the multi-billion dollar project.  

Lawyer Adina Thorn told Kerre Woodham the projects can take 10, 15 years to eventuate, which means the people who own the designated land are stuck in never-never land. 

She says their property has been completely devalued through no fault of their own, and you’re also stuck in the politics of the day – unsure whether the project will go ahead or not.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The way the Government acquires land under the Public Works Act is being labelled unfair. &nbsp;
Grey Lynn locals are the latest to deal with their land potentially being bought for a major Auckland busway. &nbsp;
The Transport Agency plans to build the 18 kilometre Northwest Busway, to link the CBD with the city's western suburbs. &nbsp;
It will soon be acquiring half of the homes on Ivanhoe Road, to tear them down for the multi-billion dollar project. &nbsp;
Lawyer Adina Thorn told Kerre Woodham the projects can take 10, 15 years to eventuate, which means the people who own the designated land are stuck in never-never land.&nbsp;
She says their property has been completely devalued through no fault of their own, and you’re also stuck in the politics of the day – unsure whether the project will go ahead or not. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Adina Thorn: Lawyer on the way land is acquired by the Government for public infrastructure projects, impact on homeowners

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/17cc30f5-d1e8-429c-8a88-b46b0016831e/transcript

Paul Fuge: Consumer Powerswitch Manager on high electricity prices, households overpaying for power

In 1 playlist(s)

Kerre Woodham Mornings Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips