Is the Tsunami Warning System Adequate?
We have been approached by a number of residents on the matter of tsunami sirens or the lack of them. This issue was actually raised before the recent South Island earthquake so is not a knee jerk reaction. We post a submission received from one resident and we would appreciate comments.
SUBMISSION
It will take a disaster and significant loss of life before we take the threat of tsunamis seriously. It may not happen in our lifetime or it could happen tomorrow.
We have heard from some that we are protected by the Hauraki gulf islands. This is not a fact. Waiheke could actually act as a magnifying glass and combine the waves that come around it’s ends to amplify the resultant wave action!
Cellular texts is not the answer and will not work at night when people are sleeping and certainly not for the elderly who do not text. But, as a temporary stop gap this would take only one week to program the cellular provider’s computer to send a pre-set message to all users in range of selected cell towers defining the area of alert.
Sirens are not costly at $6,000 each installed on existing infrastructure. These can be activated individually by radio, cellular or satellite based on area of alert. Sirens were installed and still exist by the Rodney and Waitakere Councils before amalgamation into the Auckland Super City. There also installed at numerous locations around the country including Pauanui.
The Civil Defence which relies on government funding want to placate us with a tsunami warning based on cellular texts. Their explanation is that we are not capable of understanding the following signals:
1. Alert signal (dash – dash – dot – dot) sounded for 15 minutes
2. Evacuate signal (dot-dot-dot) sounded in continuous burst for 15 minutes
3. All clear signal (a continuous tone for five minutes)
Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠
If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
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Here's what you need to know before making an offer on a house
🏠 What is the neighbourhood like?
Familiarise yourself with the neighbourhood, to check accessibility to public transport, schools and shops. Visit the street at different times of day, to find out how quiet or noisy it gets. Check with the local council whether they know of any future developments in the area that could increase noise or traffic.
🏠 How much are the rates and insurance?
Do a property search on the local council’s website to see what the rates are.
You can also get quotes from insurers to find out what it might cost to insure it.
Check whether the homeowner is paying off the cost of installing insulation or heating units through their rates, because you will inherit that debt if you buy the house.
🏠 For a unit title, check the pre-contract disclosure
If the property is on a unit title development (for example, an apartment), ask to see the pre-contract disclosure. This is basic information about the unit and the unit title development.
🏠 Get a LIM (Land Information Memorandum) report
A LIM report tells you everything the local council knows about the land and the buildings, for example, what building consents and code compliance certificates they have issued for work done on the property.
🏠 Pre-purchase building inspection
Get an independent building inspector to examine the house thoroughly and look for potential problems with weather-tightness, wiring, plumbing or the foundations (piles).
Ask them to check for features that might make maintenance more difficult. For example, some types of wall claddings need specialist knowledge to maintain, access to the gutters might not be straightforward, and retaining walls can be expensive to repair.
🏠 Check the property title
Ask a lawyer or conveyancer to check the property title for things like easements. For example, an easement might allow a neighbour to access part of the property. The property title should also confirm the property boundary.
More information is on the Settled website:
www.settled.govt.nz...
Image credit: Ray White New Zealand
Info credit: Citizens Advice Bureau: cab.org.nz
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.6% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.2% I want to be able to choose.
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47.2% Against. I want to deal with people.
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