KEY POINTS:
Here are more of Your Views:
Siatu (Mangere, Auckland)
I am very sad and upset to hear of how some bill has lost a family mother and wife. As a Samoan most of our people would jump to conclusion and blame Mercury, but I would too but we haven't heard the whole story yet. However I would like to say that common sense could have been used here for the contractor who visited the family to cut their power or a simple phone call for moments in doubt to check with a superior person options of keeping the power on. But none was taken, so that's one downside to Mercury. I feel very sorry for the loss of this family's mother and wife. Its a sad moment for our Samoan community who are in similar situations such as can't pay the bills on time etc.. Some consideration would help along way for situations like this.
Fiona Fenwick
I am ashamed to be a customer of Mercury Energy but have just rectified that situation by transferring our account. Maybe that is the only way Mercury will truly understand the disgust that is felt towards their recent actions and I hope others follow suit.A simple act but one that will hurt them where it apparently matters most.
Deeply Disturbed
I am deeply disturbed that even in today's society we struggle to make decisions to 'do the right thing'. The 'right thing' to do would have been for the contractor to reconnect the power immediately and contact Mercury Energy himself of the special circumstances and request a special investigation to be carried out before further action was taken. Sadly the contractor has to live with the decision to do what was requested of him - to carry out his job. Mercury Energy should accept responsibility as it is clear that their processes are flawed when dealing with special circumstances such as this and should include guidelines to support staff when these arise.My prayers go out to the Muliaga family for their great loss and also to the contractor who carried out the task.
Chris (Auckland)
Shocking yes, but why did the family not ring the hospital sooner.Mercury did not know as the family had not advised them this was the case.
Garbiel
Although sad that it is I dont think all the blame should rest on the shoulders of the energy company. After all they are not a charity they are a business and every business is there to make money. This may seem cold but it is the real world. Secondly have any of you tried to get the power disconnected? As a student we thought we would test the limits and after 4 months of unpaid account Mercury cut the gas, leaving the power on for a further 2-3 months before we got many reminder notices that the power was to be cut; (we then paid) this is at least 6 months of no payment at all not bit payment or calls to arrange other ways of payment just ignore and see what happens was the tactic we were using. It makes you think how long this has been going if she was only out of work for 4 months. Secondly is it not the responsibility of the family to make sure the rest of the duties are complete when there is a member sick so some of the responsibility should fall on their shoulders. I know if my mother was sick I dont care what it would take the power bill would be paid, after all was this situation note resolved by a family member paying in full the overdue amount the very same day that the terrible death happened. Where was this family support the day before?
Anna
I feel that if a family members life line (oxygen supply) was cut why not do something about it, it sounds as if the family just sat that and let her die. Why wait so long to call an ambulance they are just a quick phone call away, and she could have been in hospital. Also someone paid the power bill the next day so why didn't that family member not pay it a day earlier when the family would have been told when the power was going to be turned off. It sounds like there was a lot the family could have done to stop this situation.
Darren
I would be interested to see how much of the families wages were 'required' to be 'donated' to their Church.
Richard Cormier
I hope the family sues for 122 Billion. I can't believe how low these companies will go for a buck. My heart goes out to the Motherless family. These major companies have to understand sickness and the effects on the income. There should be insurance in place for customers that fall ill. You couldn't pay me enough as an employee to be the one responsible for cutting off their power in such a time of need. Shame on you Mercury Energy.
Peter Koloszar
This is not surprising in the light of the relentless and unjustified electricity price increases by Mercury Energy. Mercury Energy has more than doubled its prices in the last 5 years. Price comparison between energy companies indicates that energy price fixing is openly practiced. It is clear that the "Market principle" is not providing price protection for this basic commodity since a genuinely competitive market of the electricity industry has failed to materialized in NZ. Mercury's management operates out of a comfortable secure cash flow environment and have no idea of the desperate situation of its vulnarable customers. The minister of energy David Parker defends these price rises. The Commerce Commission is silent on the issue.
Patricia from Hamilton
This story is the perfect story for the media: big businesses versus little people.= - little people shafted by big business. And doesn't everyone just love it!I don't buy into the story presented by the family. Where is any mentioning of the family's personal responsibility? Where's the family's sense of the duty of care to a family member?
Wayne Sanson
If parliament was to axe that prayer our politicians could then justify their immoral prejudice judgments and decisions!
Valli
I was born here. I am not a Christian. I fully respect their right to practise what they like as long as they dont impose it, or their interpretation of truth on me. I can not be what I am not. To make this country a "Christian" one is to impose something on those of us who are not. I live my life in the best way that I am able in the search for being a more loving and true human being. For me to impose my way on you is aggressive and violent, and not what I understand Jesus to be about. I find it better to put my awareness into being a kinder, clearer human being than forcing others to my way of thinking. Changing and forcing others is a way of avoiding looking at myself. May we all find the love we already are and have inside, before the stories we believe that separate us.
Catty
Although this is a tragedy for all involved you have to wonder:why didn't the family call an ambulance or get a neighbour to help etc 2.what would have happened if there had been a power cut anyway? The poor guy being sent round to cut the power has probably heard every story in the book he was just doing his job.It is very sad but if someone turned my power off and my mother was in the same position I would get help.In saying that I do think that turning the power off when they were only $168 behind is disgusting. Mercury Energy need to revise this.But still if someone in your home is really ill and in a life threatening situation - you need to get an ambulance. Perhaps then she would still be alive.
Richard Wallis
Mercury's action was appalling. If the cause of death is found to be the failure of the oxygen machine, then it is up to the police to decide whether it is murder or manslaughter and who to prosecute, but prosecute they should. Normally the CEO is responsible for the actions of his or her staff.
No wonder we're becoming a Nanny State
While this situation is indeed tragic lets not point the finger to hastily lest the finger get pointed straight back. The fact of the situation is that this family has failed to communicate, not just to the electricity company, but also to WINZ and at the most important time, they failed to communicate to the hospital.Had they have informed Mercury of their situation at the time they received the disconnection notice that they had life critical equipment then they would not have been disconnected. Had they, upon receiving the disconnection notice, gone to WINZ and asked for financial relief they would have received it.Had they have called the ambulance at the time the mother was feeling ill, she would have been taken to hospital.As it stands, they did nothing. I've wondered why the State feels it's its duty to get increasingly involved in the day to day affairs of its people. Obviously some people are not capable of lifting a finger to help themselves.
Blaming this company is ridiculous, as much as it's 'insensitive' to say as much, the blame starts and stops with the family.
Disgraceful
Ms Jones says that a complaint can be sent to her...when would that be? Maybe while she was at Parnell sipping her morning latte for a decision. How insensitive & callous of Mercury. It appears that if were a Caucasian family maybe they would have had a chance to explain to this worker who was 'just doing his job' the severity of her condition. Far too late for this family who it is obvious has a lack of funds for the basic utilities of life in NZ. Shame shame shame Mercury. Good to hear that you made your multi million profit...
Mu (Tauranga)
I do not believe for one minute that the contractor disconnected the power with the knowledge that their was a life at risk. I think that the person accountable is the son. What mother would knowingly put her child through that set of circumstances? If it was the son on oxygen and the mother failed to get help, she would be charged with, at the very least - failing to provide the necessities of life. The one real witness is dead and that is sad.
John from Wellington
Let me count the ways a Power Company is not to blame:1/ Social Welfare help people in need 2/ Banks help people who need money 3/ Neighbors have power too 4/ Hospitals help sick people 5/ Husbands get second jobs 6/ Family help family Come on New Zealand - get real. We may all hate power companies and with good reason but can we really blame a gas station for not giving credit to a person who needs petrol to get to and from a medical facility. The last time I checked this is the real world, the labour party loves being soft on minorities, we don't need to agree.
Moheka from Hamilton
Well the answer to that question is obvious, Mercury should get a heart, have a base sense of humanity. At this stage I would urge every Mercury customer to find alternative suppliers of your energy. I'm with Genesis. Send a clear message to Mercury that New Zealand will not tolerate heartless Corporate policy, hurt them in the pocket I say.
TC
Tragic as the death is, I think that there are several issues to be addressed. I worked for the Auckland Electric Power Board for 8 yrs and I know for a fact that they do not cut off power to people that are on life support machines. They also have many plans in place for people to pay outstanding accounts from as little at $5.00 It seems that there has been a lack of communication from the family to Mercury Energy. Why did the lady not want the St John called? What would have happened if a motorist had hit a power pole.?? I am sorry there has been a death, but not all the blame is at Mercury Energy's door.
jamie
Killed for $160.00! absaloutley terrible when the power company made a profit of 70 million!
mercury...supporter
With all sympathies to the family at this trying time. Mercury do give the customer SO many chances to pay. And if it was critical as they say then Why wasn't the ambulance called? Why was she not in hospital? Why was the bill not paid? If they found the money the day she died, why could it not have been found earlier?Again I express my sympathy to the family this is horrifying for them but the fact does remain that they had options even after the power was cut off.
Graeme White
I see no reason why Mercury Energy is getting so much bad publicity over this death.If I go to the supermarket choose my groceries get to the checkout and attempt to pay only to find my eftpos card gets declined - When I eventually starve to death, is that foodtowns fault? This woman dies because of her own families ignorance or stupidity.1stly, The power company would have sent plenty of warning about a cut off. Believe it or not, they would have wanted her money and most likely would have come to some arrangement with the family had she only called about her late accounts. 2ndly, This was not a sudden death. We have ambulances that will come to those in need and transport people to Hospital.Both of these options - and possibly others were available to this woman and her family. We are just witnessing another case of the "Poor Me" syndrome that is plaguing this country.
Himanshu (Mt. Roskill)
I personally believe that when it comes to "disconnecting" essential services - water and power - either by State owned enterprises or Private Contractors or Companies, there shall be a mechanism like an independent ombudsman, whose "consent" shall be obtained before any disconnection. Both the parties, the person/family whose house/services are threatened with disconnection and the State Owned Enterprise or Private Company/Contractor providing "essential services" (it shall be defined, as it differs in different circumstances - like the poor woman and family needed "electricity" as essential services for running the oxygen machine) shall have a legal right and easy mechanism to submit their respective say before the ombudsman. And most importantly, it shall be essential for the ombudsman to establish that there are no "life threatening situations" to arise if he/she orders a disconnection for failure of payment of bill. I think, if one does this, there will be no scope of unsubstantiated say from either side as to what was said and what was not. However, there still cannot be a full proof system.
out west (Te Henga)
If I was dependant on a machine to assist my breathing I would be very sure that the power bill was paid, especially when given several weeks notice of arrears. Furthermore, why did no one in the community or extended family perhaps chip in to help with payment of bills for essential services?
Kerry Richards
In my recent dealings with Mercury I have found them to a money hungry corporate with no real concerns for the household consumer. They are constantly upping their prices , which lead me to write to them earlier this year when a letter arrived stating they were increasing their prices because they had conducted a price survey in our area (Albany) and because of this they were increasing all charges. I complained in writing stating increased supply costs justify a price increase not a price survey. I received a nice letter from their media liaison manager explaining why etc. Then 1 month later another letter arrived advising of another price increase. I phoned customer services at Mercury Energy and was advised that hundreds of others had phoned and complained and if I changed supplier I was wished all the best. So that is what I did. Thank god I do not have to deal with such a out of control corporate. This incident has mercury Energy's bad consumer relations written all over it. They had it coming and deserve all the bad press because they have bought it on themselves.
Geoff & Louisa
We have sympathy for the family for their loss. We would like to know however why private business is to blame for a lack of personal responsibility by her family. If what the Herald is reporting is accurate, then the family sat for 2 hours watching their mother die but now blame Mercury for the tragedy.Huh?
Lisa
If it took 2 hours for her to die after the power was cut off, what was the family doing for those 2 hours? Did they run and extn cord from a neigbours house, did they move her to another home of someone in the family or church? Did they once ever put their hand up to family, friends, church or charity organisation to say we need help to pay the power bill? Would WINZ have helped with sickness benefit or similar? Did they ring her doctor? Did they ring 111?It takes several months (about 5) for a power company to cut someone's power off after sending all the appropriate warnings and letters. Did they not get them? Did they not take them seriously? When the letter was sent to say it was happening, no more chances to pay their bill, what did they do?My sympathy to the family but I don't believe all the blame lies with the power company. There is enough places to turn to for help in this country that the family could have avoided this tragedy!
Henny (Netherlands)
I would like to wish the family of this lady alot of strength to and hope they can find a way to get on with there life and give this terrible accident a place. just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you even in the netherlands.we love New Zealand and my daughter she is part Samoan, Kiwi, Dutch meet New Zealand this year and she loves it even more xxxxx
Annoyed Customer who will switch
This is shameful ! For $200 ? I will be switching to another electricity supplier as a show of protest!! Corporate greed at play.
Jachin Mandeno
Although this is a tragedy people need to remember the following: regardless of Mercury's actions and the actions of the contractor, the family had 2.5 hours between the cutting of the electricity and the death to call an ambulance. Even if an ambulance had been called at 1pm when Ms Muliaga asked them to sing she may have lived.
Rozanne (Tauranga)
Firstly - my greatest sympathy to this family.Living in the Tauranga region, we have Trust Power as a supplier. Moving house earlier this year, we became a victim to the 'cut it if not paid' mentality. The company does state clearly in their T&C's that they will firstly send you a friendly reminder notice, then disconnection notice 7 days prior and 'where practical' another 24 hours before. As a new customer we received neither the couriered introductory letter/pack, friendly reminder, disconnection notice, or the 24 hour warning, as all were sent to the wrong physical address - however they were able to find the property to disconnect it and then leave a note in the front door to say they had done so. Disturbing for us, was that my own father who has a terminal illness was moving in only a couple of days later, and we were totally unaware that there was any issue or problem until we came home to realise it was disconnected. Perhaps they could try just a little harder.
AP
When any bill is outstanding, the consumer receives a "Payment outstanding notice" and then a Red notice and before the phone lines are disconnected, the consumer receives a warning of the action to be taken. Now this gives any sane, law abiding citizen more then ample time to take corrective action. Further more this person died two and a half hours after power disconnection. That means she had enough and more time to either plug the machine at a neighbours/relatives house, call the ambulance or go to the hospital.I feel this situation has arisen due to sheer negligence of the family concerned and they should stop blaming the power company.
Next
