Live: No new Covid-19 community cases; students refuse test
On the fifth day of Auckland's level 3 lockdown, Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has announced there are no new community cases of Covid-19, while there are six in MIQ.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
* There are no new cases in the community on Thursday for the fourth consecutive day.
* There are six border-related cases in MIQ on Thursday.
* Cold water has been poured on the prospect of Auckland leaving lockdown early by Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare.
* Despite no new cases for three consecutive days, Auckland isn't "out of the woods".
* The Government won’t consider an alert level change until Cabinet meets on Friday.
* Mothers from two households connected to the latest cluster went for a walk. together during the level 3 lockdown in February.
* Auckland is in level 3 until at least this weekend. The rest of the country is at level 2.
Georgia Forrester
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Lost cat - Mt Eden
Still missing my girl 😔
Evie is a 14 year old grey tortie - quite pretty colouring (mainly grey with caramel) with some cream on her chest. No white on her at all. She has been missing since 16 November, 2023.
Please take a screenshot of this post so you have photos and my number handy in case you see her.
She likes people but might not let you pick her up so please take a video or photo if you see her and call me asap on 021 072 0933 (Anna).
She’s quite lean and small to medium size. When she’s happy she ‘talks’ ❤️ De-sexed and microchipped.
Last seen in Mont Le Grand Rd, Mt Eden. Please check your garage, shed, garden and under deck and house.
Apparently cats who are hiding don’t meow so please look carefully even if you don’t hear her. Thank you so much 🙏
Cost of living: How to get $110 off your electricity bill through Power Credits Scheme
Some Kiwis can expect their power bill to rise this month for the third year in a row as the low-user charge is phased out – but there's a payment available for people who are struggling.
It's the third year in a row that low-power users are facing increasing fixed costs as the low-power users scheme is phased out.
To help the industry set up the $5 million Power Credits Scheme which means eligible households can access credit during the transition.
The phase out which began in 2022 will see fixed costs for low users rise every april for five years.
The scheme means households who are supplied by Contact, Meridian, Mercury, Genesis, Nova, Wise, Globug, Powershop, Frank or Toast Electric can access a $110 payment if they’re in hardship. So far $1.4 million has been paid out.
The scheme is run by the Electricity Retailers’ Association of New Zealand. Chief executive Bridget Abernethy told Consumer NZ households showing signs of energy hardship can get the payment. But Abernethy said each power company will have its own criteria for what energy hardship looks like.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said removing the "low Fixed Charge Tariff regulations is essential for creating a fairer playing field for all New Zealand households".
However, the MBIE website acknowledged the phase-out could be challenging for some households.
"While all households are expected to benefit in the long term from the regulations being removed, some households may face higher power bills," the website said.
The credit can help households adjust, it added.
The decision to remove the low user charge was made by the then Labour Government in 2021 who called it "poorly targeted".
Then Energy Minister Megan Woods said it would mean three in five households could benefit from lower power bills.
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Get painting with Resene plant-based paints!
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