My Account
Clarity on power
On the morning of May 1, the national grid, operated by Transpower, suffered an outage affecting around 15,000 customers in Warkworth, Wellsford, Matakana, Omaha, Snells Beach, Leigh and Mahurangi (MM May 8). Transpower rectified the outage and restored power at the grid level by approximately 11.30am, meaning for most customers their power came back on at that time. This outage on the Transpower network coincided with previously scheduled maintenance work on Vector’s distribution network to replace a transformer supplying a small number of customers with power on four streets in Omaha.
This maintenance work required Vector to switch the power off while the work was undertaken to ensure the safety of the public and our work crews. This work meant that for these customers, even though the Transpower outage had been rectified, power remained off while Vector’s planned maintenance continued. As is standard practice, Vector sent notifications via email and post in advance of this planned maintenance to help affected customers plan their day around the inconvenience. Regrettably, Prof. Bradley (MM May 22) did not receive this notification from Vector and so understandably may have been surprised to learn about it from his neighbours. We have since spoken to Prof. Bradley and confirmed that an error on our part prevented a notification being sent to him and we have now corrected that error. We appreciate Prof. Bradley was unable to plan around the necessary maintenance, which is why – in a gesture of goodwill – we credited him $50.
As Vector is not part of Transpower, we cannot comment on their compensation and notification practices. For further context there, we suggest getting in touch with Transpower directly.
Matthew Britton, Vector senior communications specialist
How much?
I read with interest Mr Sayers report that Rodney overall was receiving back more money than what ratepayers were paying (MM May 22), yet the rural sector he says is not. Are you able to publish how much Rodney ratepayers are paying overall and how much is returning to us?
Alan Kendall, Snells Beach
Figures secured by Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers show Rodney pays $77 million in total rates and Council spends $95 million back into the region, most of it in the urban townships. He says this still compares unfavourably with most other wards. Council investment in the Auckland CBD, for example, is 300 times what CBD ratepayers contribute. Council borrowing makes up the difference between rate revenues and expenditure – Ed.
Rural rip off
The rural people of Rodney are not being treated fairly by the Supercity. All we are asking for is some equity. That is, our roads, footpaths and basic council services to be equitable with the CBD standards. It’s obvious that Mayor Goff is prepared to continue draining us for projects that capture him votes. Let’s keep the pressure on as a community. We, the people, may have to lift it a notch or two to support our local elected representatives’ efforts.
Catherine Ashby, Wellsford
Treasure our birds
Our shorebirds face continuing pressure that makes their survival ever more precarious. Their habitat has been squeezed to a few remaining parts of beaches from development that silts up their feeding grounds and drains wetlands, as well as predation from pests and pets. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all gave the last of our shorebirds the respect and therefore the space they need to survive? Their beauty and their exceptional feat of endurance, flying to Siberia and back every year, make the godwit a creature to be treasured. The last of their spaces should be regarded by all as tapu, and it should be unthinkable to exercise a dog off the leash anywhere near an endangered species. It is time that ignorance and selfishness stop or we will have a world with only domestic animals, rats, cockroaches, pigeons and sparrows.
Wendy Pettersen, Matakana
Save our kauri
I am a Year 7 student at Mahurangi College and in my opinion we should save our kauri. Kauri dieback disease has spread through our magnificent backyard (MM April 3). Anyone who ventures into the forest behind our college might pick up the disease in the mud or dirt, and spread it across New Zealand. Our fragile, ancient kauri have been around for 2000 years. If they die, hundreds of trees and animals will go with it. Tourists travel far and wide to observe our unique wildlife. They are an incredible part of New Zealand heritage and ought to be saved. Mahurangi should do its part to save these innocent trees. We could spread the word and get behind it. We can’t just stand here and watch them die in front of our very eyes. We must save the kauri.
Milla Reekie, Matakana
Death to dieback
My name is Tessa Berger, and I’m a Year 7 student at Mahurangi College. Recently, I discovered Mahurangi’s prized Kauri trees were infected by the fatal disease. The once stunning view right outside my class has been vandalised by the pandemic. We ought to restore our native bush. This means no entry! Students are constantly weaving in and out of the trees to find lost hats or basketballs. This can’t go on! We have to dare to change while our history and our heritage is at risk. I, along with most of our community, want our native trees to stay alive and happy. I don’t want this to be the end of our native giants. Dieback needs to die!
Tessa Berger, Warkworth
Too many chemists
I am shattered to find that our new medical centre at Snells Beach (MM April 17) contains a chemist shop. That is 100 yards from the current chemist who has served us for many years through thick and thin and sponsored many entities in our district.
Now a johnny-come-lately, who is the developer, is a direct threat to the pharmacy that has nurtured our district. If you think as I do, then write to the chair of the Waitemata DHB, Private Bag 93-503, Takapuna. They issue the licences. No second pharmacy at Snells.
Lt Col (Rtd) Geoffrey Bowes MNZM, Snells Beach
