Covid-19: A year since New Zealand's first reported case
Hi neighbours,
It's been one year today since New Zealand's first reported case of Covid-19.
A person in their 60s flew from Iran via Bali and touched down in Aotearoa on February 26, 2020.
Two days later, that person's test came back positive for Covid-19.
Later, a historical case emerged – a visitor to the Waikato who became ill with symptoms consistent with Covid-19 on or about February 21.
The past year has been incredible, turbulent and unprecedented.
How do you think New Zealand has done with its response to the pandemic?
What do you think we have done well as a nation to combat Covid-19?
What could we have done better to ward off the virus?
What have you learned from the pandemic?
*Please put NFP if you do not want your comments used by Stuff.
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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