https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 06 May 2026 00:23:07 +0000 Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:30:01 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=7944 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154819&title=muliaga-family#154819 Author: caitlynsmygirl
Subject: 7944
Posted: 04 June 2007 at 11:30am

i meant help with the st johns bill

]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:30:01 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154819&title=muliaga-family#154819 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154816&title=muliaga-family#154816 Author: caitlynsmygirl
Subject: 7944
Posted: 04 June 2007 at 11:27am

you know what else is really sad? the fact that the contractor, who my dad works with who is a really nice guy, being seen as such a villian.
The fact that he actually came to the house and told them he had to cut off their power shows he cared, most contractors would just cut off the power with out telling you.

If you had one of those machines that was so important, pay your bill.
And if those machines are going to be given out , they really need to have ones that run on batteries so in case of power cuts this doesnt happen again.

Im sorry, but im getting really sick of the effing media acting like my dad and his work mates are evil, yeah it was a bad call, also bad was the sons decision not to call the ambulance-sorry but pride or no pride-use your head...
Im sure winz or the church or the family spokesman could have steppd up and helped ]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:27:59 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154816&title=muliaga-family#154816 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154794&title=muliaga-family#154794 Author: busymum
Subject: 7944
Posted: 04 June 2007 at 10:59am

Emma next time try to pick a fence which doesn't have barbed wire ]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:59:26 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154794&title=muliaga-family#154794 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154662&title=muliaga-family#154662 Author: Maya
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 7:48pm

Paws wrote: I haven't read all the comments but I think the only thing I can ask is: Is this tragedy a reflection on Mercery Energy and thier operating procedures or poverty in NZ and not knowing where/when/how to get assistance?

Again a tricky one, taking into account the cultural issues, many of the polynesian cultures are proud, hardworking people who would be embarrassed to seek assistance. I wonder if there was less of a stigma attached to the whole "WINZ" thing, would it make them more open to it.

Then again, would it make even easier those that are not so proud and rather fond of a hand out to use the system?

Argh, this fence post is getting uncomfy, but I just can't pick a side ]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 19:48:35 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154662&title=muliaga-family#154662 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154658&title=muliaga-family#154658 Author: lizzle
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 7:40pm

very interesting editorial in the sunday star times about this very issue tonight. loved it.]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 19:40:00 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154658&title=muliaga-family#154658 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154540&title=muliaga-family#154540 Author: Paws
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 2:14pm

I haven't read all the comments but I think the only thing I can ask is:

Is this tragedy a reflection on Mercery Energy and thier operating procedures or poverty in NZ and not knowing where/when/how to get assistance? ]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:14:00 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154540&title=muliaga-family#154540 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154468&title=muliaga-family#154468 Author: Glow
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 11:20am

"Nose Hoses" go to the machine as well as tanks.
Machine gets plugged in & power supplies oxygen
Tanks don't need power- just a "Nose Hose" to plug into to get the oxygen. If that make sense.

Cant help thinking about "Nana Nose Hose"(tis what my Son called my Mother) Smiling & crying at the same time. AS i can hear him saying "Look ouut nans nose hose dear" We were forever tripping over the darn thing lol A special memory i have of my son & mother that i'd thought i'd share.

Edited by Glow]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:20:42 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154468&title=muliaga-family#154468 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154466&title=muliaga-family#154466 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 11:04am

i dont think that the nose hose is just for the tanks.]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:04:07 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154466&title=muliaga-family#154466 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154455&title=muliaga-family#154455 Author: WRXnKids
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 10:50am

ok now i am confused as in one report it said in the contractors statement he noticed she did have a nose hose in at the time of the power disconnection and she never mentioned a medical reason not to disconnect now if thats only for the portable air tanks then would it not imply she had one? Did she die of natural causes relating to her medical condition but the family were angry and decided to take it out on the first place they thought they could get money?

Just a theory though but to be honest the more i hear the less i believe the family. Man Mercury needs to grow some balls.]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 10:50:43 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154455&title=muliaga-family#154455 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154442&title=muliaga-family#154442 Author: Maya
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 10:33am

Sarah Beth wrote: well from the article I read this morning she was almost living on borrowed time, and it suggested she had stopped taking her doctor perscribed medicines and was seaking alternative Samoan traditional treatments. The machine was not there to keep her alive, it was to assist her breathing. I start to feel that this had nothing at all to do with the power being disconnected (though it may have sped things up a little)

I've been wondering if it wasn't the machine failing that caused her heart attack, but maybe the stress of the whole situation...]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 10:33:54 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154442&title=muliaga-family#154442 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154440&title=muliaga-family#154440 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 10:32am

gandt wrote: lizzle wrote: seriously, what happens to those machines if there is a power cut? my mum has one similar and if it stops working (she uses it overnight) she would slip into a coma ... and if left would die. (oops, i said i wasnt going to post anymore..)

ooops, not very good at answering a question obviously. i dont even know if mums has a battery backup. and certainly no tanks anywhere in her house.]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 10:32:48 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154440&title=muliaga-family#154440 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154436&title=muliaga-family#154436 Author: Glow
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 10:28am

They dont work if there is no power lizzle? (well I didn't work out were to put the batteries in my Mums one anyways & it was exactly the same as Mrs Muliaga's)

Depending on how much she needed it & her circumstances she may or may not of received portable oxygen tanks. Which is just a tank you attach the "nose hose" to get your oxygen & its easier to manoeuvre around & doesn't need power.

We will never know the whole story will we..

R I P Mrs Muliaga]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 10:28:11 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154436&title=muliaga-family#154436 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154427&title=muliaga-family#154427 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 10:19am

lizzle wrote: seriously, what happens to those machines if there is a power cut?

my mum has one similar and if it stops working (she uses it overnight) she would slip into a coma ... and if left would die.

(oops, i said i wasnt going to post anymore..) ]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 10:19:32 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154427&title=muliaga-family#154427 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154411&title=muliaga-family#154411 Author: lizzle
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 9:48am

seriously, what happens to those machines if there is a power cut?]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 09:48:07 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154411&title=muliaga-family#154411 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154398&title=muliaga-family#154398 Author: Sarah Beth
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 8:39am

well from the article I read this morning she was almost living on borrowed time, and it suggested she had stopped taking her doctor perscribed medicines and was seaking alternative Samoan traditional treatments. The machine was not there to keep her alive, it was to assist her breathing.

I start to feel that this had nothing at all to do with the power being disconnected (though it may have sped things up a little)]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:39:15 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154398&title=muliaga-family#154398 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154387&title=muliaga-family#154387 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 03 June 2007 at 12:17am

ok - this is the last thing i am going to say on this...

i do not think that ms muliaga herself expected that she would die because the power was cut off and that would be why no ambulance was called... she prob knew that waiting till her husband came home and could help her was the best option...the lack of the machine alone would not have killed her.

Ms muliaga did not die purely because the power was cut off. However she did die and the whole situation could have been handled better by mercury, the contractor, the media and the family.

a minutes silence at the markets was a nice gesture i thought...saying no ones power will be cut off if they dont pay the bill is not. its like saying we wont repo your car if you dont pay for it, or no its alright you can take the appliances from the store and dont have to make any payments.

once again we dont know all the facts, assuming we do is making asses(of u and me).

oops its late - night night all.    
]]> Sun, 03 Jun 2007 00:17:17 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154387&title=muliaga-family#154387 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154369&title=muliaga-family#154369 Author: emz
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 10:48pm

I completely agree with people saying this is not Mercury's fault. Like wrxchic said - the big snow dump put power out for ages down here - and it was hardly on the news because hey, who cares? My cousin and her 1 year old had to wade down a few kms of snow in Geraldine to her mums house because she had no power, phone, food, and her baby was getting sick. If she'd just sat on her rear and said 'oh well, doesn't seem too bad' her baby would be dead by now. And that would have been her fault for not doing everything in her power to save the baby. Why then, when these people could have seeked help, did they not? But they're happy to take money after the fact?

Also, the night after it happened, a doctor came on the news saying that there's no way they wouldn't be monitoring someone that had to be on oxygen 24 hours a day. They said that the monitor the lady was on was meant to be used for a few hours a day at most, so it was the families fault that they had not kept doctors up to speed about her worsening condition. THe doctor said if they had, they would have either given her a better machine with fail-safe features of admitted her to hospital. But no, pride gets in the way. It makes me so mad! Completely preventable.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:48:00 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154369&title=muliaga-family#154369 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154346&title=muliaga-family#154346 Author: WRXnKids
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 10:03pm

i agree bombshell im sick of hearing about it every 10mins on the news ads etc

People lived without power for many many years before it was discovered and when there was a big snow dump in canterbury last year power was out to many many homes for weeks with people dealing with it fine!! Disconnecting a household that hasnt paid their bill or is making part payments that will never be enough to cover one bill before the next arrives should be simple just cut it as it can always be reconnected when the issue is sorted. There should have been a plan for her to follow when the power was cut as there are many things that can cause loss of power. She should have called the ambo or plugged in at a neighbours of family members. Im sure that after all the money donated to the church before paying their bills they would have cover the cost of her ambo if money is that tight and if they didnt want help then they shouldnt be complaining because this is what has resulted from it. You cant expect a power company whos purpose is to make money to help you out if you wont ask a church who you make donations to for this very purpose for help.

Edited by wrxchic]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:03:57 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154346&title=muliaga-family#154346 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154341&title=muliaga-family#154341 Author: ginger
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 10:00pm

I was very disappointed to hear about the disconnections thing as well.

It's a bit like when there have been floods etc in NZ in recent times. People with no insurance have been bailed out by the Government etc - is that why it costs the rest of us so much to pay for our insurances? Are we now going to have to pay more for power and water and everything else?

Yes, there are people in genuine circumstances for whom this will be a godsend ...but there are a *lot* more people who will take advantage.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:00:49 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154341&title=muliaga-family#154341 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154320&title=muliaga-family#154320 Author: Bombshell
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 9:42pm

ok have to say - OMG a minutes silence at the otara markets???? and it made national news???? come on!!!!

seriously does NZ not have any other news at the moment??? thank goodness team nz won by 8 seconds or i would have to throw my sunday paper across the road at rokocoko in the morning (i mean are they winning or losing tonight (i dont watch rugby!)?? and will the papers care about anything else cause of this silliness over the mercury / milaga issue!!!)

]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:42:00 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154320&title=muliaga-family#154320 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154273&title=muliaga-family#154273 Author: Maya
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 9:03pm

fattartsrock wrote: *wades in* something else that I heard on the tele this morning, Mercury will be suspending disconnections indefinately.. so now expect loads of people not to pay their power bills because there is no worries about getting disconnected... hhhmmmm *wades out..*

Oooh, does this mean I don't have to pay the power bill? *rushes around turning on all the heaters*]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:03:35 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154273&title=muliaga-family#154273 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154267&title=muliaga-family#154267 Author: busymum
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 8:56pm

fattartsrock wrote: *wades in* something else that I heard on the tele this morning, Mercury will be suspending disconnections indefinately.. so now expect loads of people not to pay their power bills because there is no worries about getting disconnected... hhhmmmm *wades out..*

Yep, that's exactly what I've been predicting. Take the pressure off Mercury, this is all gone stupid!]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:56:47 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154267&title=muliaga-family#154267 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154258&title=muliaga-family#154258 Author: Maya
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 8:44pm

lizzle wrote: St. Johns people told me that their fee is actually a donation and that you don't "have" to pay for it - legally. However, you feel a bit stink not paying for a non-profit organisation.

Really? They sent me to Baycorp coz ACC didn't get their a into g and pay them when I had to get an ambulance after I did my back a few years ago.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:44:12 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154258&title=muliaga-family#154258 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154247&title=muliaga-family#154247 Author: lizzle
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 8:33pm

St. Johns people told me that their fee is actually a donation and that you don't "have" to pay for it - legally. However, you feel a bit stink not paying for a non-profit organisation. They had sent me a bill for both Jake and Taine for over new year, I rang up and asked for an extension (who has $90 hanging around....and if you do please send!) and they re-sent the bill three months later - but only sent jake's bill. I paid it and am hoping that Taine;s didn;t get lost and is about to be sent to bycorp..


well, OT slightly.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:33:24 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154247&title=muliaga-family#154247 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154229&title=muliaga-family#154229 Author: fattartsrock
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 8:03pm

*wades in* something else that I heard on the tele this morning, Mercury will be suspending disconnections indefinately.. so now expect loads of people not to pay their power bills because there is no worries about getting disconnected... hhhmmmm *wades out..*]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:03:27 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154229&title=muliaga-family#154229 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154181&title=muliaga-family#154181 Author: nuttymama
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 6:26pm

Gant, sorry If I came of harsh but every time something goes wrong with someone who isn't white there is always a racial issue it didn't just happen because it happened.

We are all NZ and I just wish everyone else treated it that way. I appreciate your empathy towards the family, I just think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion , by the media and NZ as a whole and think it is probably going to be debated for an extremely long time. One thing that won't help the family move on.

I agree that ambulances should be free, it is ridiculous that in a country like NZ we can't provide people with a free means to hospital.   In saying that they do have a scheme where you pay an annual fee (Not a great deal I don't think) and then you can use the ambulance service as many times as needed and pay nothing. My grandmother belonged to this before she died and she used the service 5 times in 6 months so it saved her a lot. Although I'm guessing that is another unnecessary expense but if you had a history of family illness well worth it.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:26:27 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154181&title=muliaga-family#154181 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154151&title=muliaga-family#154151 Author: Bombshell
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 5:30pm

i too agree with Maree - altho i deal with "lower socio economic families" and usually in crisis everyday I know just handing money over doesnt help. So every couple of months we do what I call a "refuge run" and take clothing, toys, household goods etc from home frrends and family (esp when people move i remind them to give to refuge)..I know that these items help so much more than money could in some circumstances....I would always do that over handing over a monetary donation!]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 17:30:51 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154151&title=muliaga-family#154151 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154134&title=muliaga-family#154134 Author: Maya
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 4:54pm

emeldee wrote: Empathy is all good, however as a government employee it can only ever get you so far. A key responsibility is always to work within the boundaries of the legislation and policy guidelines set by the government.

I could never do it. I am too much of a bleeding-heart, and I would feel sorry for people and believe them even if they were trying to pull my leg ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 16:54:04 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154134&title=muliaga-family#154134 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154131&title=muliaga-family#154131 Author: emeldee
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 4:42pm

pepsi wrote: I have to say emeldee, I think you are well suited for your job at WINZ. Years ago while working as a credit controller I dealt with mainly lower income people who would have loved an empathetic case worker like you.

Thanks Pepsi (I think). I no longer work for Work and Income and haven't for years - and I wasn't a case manager - I was a regional manager for an agency within the Ministry of Social Development that also had to deal with a lot of low income families and individuals. Empathy is all good, however as a government employee it can only ever get you so far. A key responsibility is always to work within the boundaries of the legislation and policy guidelines set by the government. ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 16:42:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154131&title=muliaga-family#154131 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154130&title=muliaga-family#154130 Author: Guests
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 4:38pm

St Johns Ambulance is unfortunately not funded by the government, which is why it is not free - although in some instances they are happy to waive the fee or have it be paid off in instalments. You can also take out a yearly membership with St Johns for something like $45, and that covers all / any emergencies in which you may require an ambulance. ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 16:38:55 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154130&title=muliaga-family#154130 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154112&title=muliaga-family#154112 Author: ginger
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 3:58pm

That's a really good point Nikki. The ambulance being free might have been the difference between life and death in this case. I don't know whether there is any level of funding from the Government re ambulances, but that may be something that could look at in all of this. ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 15:58:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154112&title=muliaga-family#154112 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154111&title=muliaga-family#154111 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 3:58pm

emeldee - are you my mother...you sounded just like her in a couple of your posts - in fact some of it was even almost word for word from a conversation this morning with her...

thanks ginger...

and nikki they should be free...

i hope all this media hype and sensationalism doesnt affect the grieving process of the muliaga family and that they can get on with their lives as soon as.

Edited by Katherine]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 15:58:46 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154111&title=muliaga-family#154111 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154106&title=muliaga-family#154106 Author: nikkitheknitter
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 3:33pm

All this aside... why the hell aren't ambulances free?

Sorry, entirely seperate issue... but atleast one that might have prevented a death here.

[Wellington Free Ambulance is going to become my next charity to give to]]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 15:33:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154106&title=muliaga-family#154106 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154105&title=muliaga-family#154105 Author: Maya
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 3:30pm

busymum wrote: I have a big problem with this. When did it suddenly become Mercury's problem to give a hand-out to their customers on low incomes? There should be consequences for not paying, otherwise why would be bother paying in the first place? True, the consequences have been fatal this time but they should not have been fatal if better procedure was taken as a result of the disconnection. WINZ can do special grants, there's the foodbank, budget advisors can also mediate debt repayments, a lot of Churches also help out people in need (perhaps their own one, or a methodist or salvation army could have helped with social services). This sad story needs to remind people to ask for help when you're struggling financially or in looking after sick family members. There are already places set up to help out, get off Mercury's back, it's not their responsibility!

Absolutely! I think the difficulty is tho that there are often other social issues with low income families that make it difficult for them to access such services - language barriers, lack of education, not knowing what services exist to help them etc.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 15:30:01 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154105&title=muliaga-family#154105 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154104&title=muliaga-family#154104 Author: busymum
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 3:23pm

herald letter quoted by emeldee wrote: No one at Mercury seemed to notice how offensive it was for a state-owned enterprise that made a net profit of more than $100 million last year to wage a public relations battle against a grieving widower who now has to support himself and four children on an income of just over $400 a week. On Thursday, general manager James Moulder was confident "the communications we had with the customer were very clear about the circumstances that would happen". He seemed to have forgotten the circumstances that happened were that "the customer" died because her power was turned off. What they should have done was to say sorry as if they meant it, and promise to do everything in their power to prevent something like this ever happening again. They should have been more concerned with sparing the family more pain than with their image. And they should have been working on ways Mercury Energy could better respond to people like the Muliagas, who can't pay their power bills, even with the best will in the world. They have work to do there, yet nothing they've said even hints at a recognition of this.

I have a big problem with this. When did it suddenly become Mercury's problem to give a hand-out to their customers on low incomes? There should be consequences for not paying, otherwise why would be bother paying in the first place? True, the consequences have been fatal this time but they should not have been fatal if better procedure was taken as a result of the disconnection. WINZ can do special grants, there's the foodbank, budget advisors can also mediate debt repayments, a lot of Churches also help out people in need (perhaps their own one, or a methodist or salvation army could have helped with social services).

This sad story needs to remind people to ask for help when you're struggling financially or in looking after sick family members. There are already places set up to help out, get off Mercury's back, it's not their responsibility!]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 15:23:56 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154104&title=muliaga-family#154104 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154095&title=muliaga-family#154095 Author: Glow
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 2:33pm

*Sacrificial lamb in a land of opportunity*]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 14:33:55 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154095&title=muliaga-family#154095 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154092&title=muliaga-family#154092 Author: pepsi
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 2:22pm

emeldee wrote: Cool, so because these people are not the only ones that need help, we should ignore them all because that's the way it is. Or because we are all so completely immune to the fact that people in our communities need help and therefore they don't make it to the front pages of newspapers or onto tv, we should sit back, nod our heads in agreement that they had it coming (because they didn't pay their bills on time, didn't phone an ambulance straight away because they didn't understand how serious the situation was and in general shouldn't have any public sympathy).

Not really what I was saying, no-one is talking about ignoring those in need or thinking anyone "had it coming". My point related to this particular family... That the reality is that a majority of those in need don't have media coverage to get some extra cash via donations, so why does this particular family deserve it more than any other? Do they deserve public sympathy? Yes of course, Public donations? I think not.

NZ'ers are lucky to have a welfare system as other countries do not, and they are truly left to fend for themselves. I have to say emeldee, I think you are well suited for your job at WINZ. Years ago while working as a credit controller I dealt with mainly lower income people who would have loved an empathetic case worker like you.



]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 14:22:13 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154092&title=muliaga-family#154092 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154090&title=muliaga-family#154090 Author: Sarah Beth
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 2:21pm

wrote: No one at Mercury seemed to notice how offensive it was for a state-owned enterprise that made a net profit of more than $100 million last year

Mercury Energy is a State Owned Enterprise. And who appoints the board members of Mercury Energy - the NZ Government. And who heads the NZ Government - Helen Clark.

Perhaps Chairman Helen should be a little more careful about what she says...]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 14:21:21 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154090&title=muliaga-family#154090 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154085&title=muliaga-family#154085 Author: lizzle
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 2:06pm

someone mentioned Mercury Energey being difficult to deal with. we are on contact and one day I'd forgotten to put our payment in, so we were a week over getting that prompt payment discount (which was $30 to us - quite a bit for a one-income family). rang and explained the situation, and the woman said she'd let us have the discount if we put the money in within a week. She was really nice and then set up a direct debit so we would always get that discount. maybe mercury is unkind, but so far contact has been good to us.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 14:06:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154085&title=muliaga-family#154085 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154074&title=muliaga-family#154074 Author: nuttymama
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 1:36pm

Gant, I don't need to look at myself I have a very mulit- cultral family and I am proud of it!!! I am just sick of every time something goes wrong people people play the racial card. Race had nothing to do with it therefore never needed to be brought up.


Edited by Katherine]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 13:36:45 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154074&title=muliaga-family#154074 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154069&title=muliaga-family#154069 Author: emeldee
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 1:09pm

pepsi wrote: Agreed it definitely will be difficult to lose that extra income, but this is not the only family in NZ who has lost a wage earning wife/husband and left behind a solo parent. So in fact they are spinning a profit out of tragedy because not many of the other families have the media attention and therefore ability to advertise for donations like this family does.

Cool, so because these people are not the only ones that need help, we should ignore them all because that's the way it is. Or because we are all so completely immune to the fact that people in our communities need help and therefore they don't make it to the front pages of newspapers or onto tv, we should sit back, nod our heads in agreement that they had it coming (because they didn't pay their bills on time, didn't phone an ambulance straight away because they didn't understand how serious the situation was and in general shouldn't have any public sympathy). And before any comments come up about me limitting my attention to this family - I collect used clothing, blankets and housewares from primary schools in my neighbourhood and deliver them to social service agencies in Auckland to distribute to families that have come into hard times. I don't have money to throw towards them, but I try and live in a way that contributes and helps those in need...rather than just sitting back, saying that that's how it is and complaining when attention is brought to the plight of those less fortunate that myself in the media. A hand up to people that are struggling is a lot better than leaving them to rely on hand outs for generations.
]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 13:09:59 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154069&title=muliaga-family#154069 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154058&title=muliaga-family#154058 Author: ginger
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 12:28pm

Vick ...I think possibly where gandt is coming from is not so much that someone on OB had made a particular racial slur, or that it was you yourself, I think it was a general comment on some of the opinions people are expressing in taking sides on the debtate. I have heard these myself in the last few days - there seems to be debate on it everywhere you go, and some of it is quite nasty, and deviates from the actual issue.

gandt? I know I'm speaking for you a bit, and I don't mean to, but that's how I interpreted your comment - am I right?

Ultimately, it is extremely sad that someone has died under these circumstances.

Someone once said to me - there are 3 sides to every story - yours, mine and the truth. I think that we're actually missing out on a fair bit of information in the media frenzy ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:28:33 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154058&title=muliaga-family#154058 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154051&title=muliaga-family#154051 Author: Glow
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 12:17pm

My thoughts exactly pepsi

I have seen personally a couple of similar incidents swept under the carpet....


]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:17:13 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154051&title=muliaga-family#154051 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154045&title=muliaga-family#154045 Author: pepsi
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 12:10pm

emeldee wrote: Oh - and the donations are not about spinning a profit out of tragedy - they are to set up a fund so that the now single parent father can try and support his kids without the extra income and support of his wife (he's on around $400 a week) - unless people would prefer that he rely solely on the DPB and give up work (or would we all condemn him for that too?)?

Agreed it definitely will be difficult to lose that extra income, but this is not the only family in NZ who has lost a wage earning wife/husband and left behind a solo parent. So in fact they are spinning a profit out of tragedy because not many of the other families have the media attention and therefore ability to advertise for donations like this family does. It was reported somewhere that they are trying to pay for relatives from the Islands to come for the funeral, so as poor as they may be - apparently getting money for this expense is something else on top of paying future bills etc..]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:10:27 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154045&title=muliaga-family#154045 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154042&title=muliaga-family#154042 Author: Bombshell
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 11:57am

SB - hey dont blame the lawyers!

I am biting my tongue a lot on this - my mother is a death and dying specialist who works in the private hospital sector and is extremely high up...she knows a lot about these machines and set ups etc and having heard what happens (or should happen I accept) when these machines are used and set up and how the system works knowing people have debts the whole situation stuns me. I do wonder if the family di not understand what they were told and now say they werent - noone can prove otherwise and i think companies involved are having to cave and say - maybe we didnt follow procedure...?

Also maybe you personally phoning a company re debt doesnt work BUT your doctor or medical prof (or lawyer) writing does affect it ( I know this for a fact and mum has seen and used a standard outling what letters should say) and makes such companies aware...maybe this will educate some others in similar positions of the need to take such steps that the companies involved thought people understood anyways?]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:57:32 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154042&title=muliaga-family#154042 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154038&title=muliaga-family#154038 Author: emeldee
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 11:53am

I don't think that her family sat by thinking that they were letting their mother/wife die. I don't think that they thought for a minute that she would die. I think they were in shock and in a panic and that in the end she died of a sudden heart attack (excacerbated from a previous condition) that would have taken her pretty quickly from wheezing/hyperventilating for a couple of hours to suddenly dead. In any case, I really, really don't think it was a case of her kids sitting around watching her die because they were too proud to ask for help. I think it was reasonably sudden and they didn't think death would be an outcome (this is similar to adults who have died of asthma attacks where they thought they were fine and under control).

I have unfortunately had the opportunity to phone many power, phone and water companies over time (as a WINZ case worker and manager). I have told the companies about dependent children, health issues and other relevant information and have always been amazed by how completely inflexible the agencies are when special situations arise. This isn't a case of a company repossessing a flashy car, or cancelling a layby because you can't afford payments on luxury items. This is ELECTRICITY - an essential of life, hence Mercury is not a privately owned company - it's a government owned subsidiary which is supposed to reflect the government's role in protecting the necessities of life for people, particularly people in need. A country can be judged on how they treat it's members in time of need. I think that this (and the following commentary on here) shows that maybe our community would rather that people fended for themselves.

Oh - and the donations are not about spinning a profit out of tragedy - they are to set up a fund so that the now single parent father can try and support his kids without the extra income and support of his wife (he's on around $400 a week) - unless people would prefer that he rely solely on the DPB and give up work (or would we all condemn him for that too?)? ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:53:05 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154038&title=muliaga-family#154038 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154035&title=muliaga-family#154035 Author: Rachael21
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 11:44am

I'm so glad people share my opinion. If she was that sick she should of been in hospital in the first place.

Before Jack was born I was doing a course and Ben got put on ACC we were getting $250 a week and our rent was $220 we knew there was no way we could afford this so we had to go to WINZ I wasn't terribly proud of it but it had to be done and so we always managed to pay our power bills, pay rent and eat. ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:44:21 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154035&title=muliaga-family#154035 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154032&title=muliaga-family#154032 Author: emeldee
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 11:41am

Article written by Tapu Misa in todays NZ Herald....

"I cried for the Muliaga family, who reminded me so much of my own - the father who hadn't wanted to leave Samoa for New Zealand; the mother who dreamed of better things for herself and her family.
Folole Muliaga was 44 when she died, the mother of four children. She taught at a preschool. She had a diploma in early childhood education. She had a gorgeous smile. Her family loved and needed her. And until she became sick, her family had lived the NZ dream that brought them here. They had a modest home in Mangere. She and her husband were both working. Their family were happy.
But as they discovered, the line between happy and struggling has become perilously thin for people like them.
When a contractor hired by Mercury Energy called at the Muliagas' house on Tuesday to cut off their power, Folole was breathing with an oxygen machine. She would have expected him to understand her plight. She had asked him, her children said, for a chance to pay off their overdue power bill. She might have begged.
I imagine her being ashamed and distressed. I imagine her distress being aggravated by the fact that the contractor was unmoved, that he went ahead and cut the power anyway.
I imagine her thinking about the cost of calling an ambulance as she started to feel unwell, wondering if she was really sick enough to justify the bill that they wouldn't be able to afford.
A little over two hours later, she was dead.
And if that wasn't shocking and tragic enough, the actions of Mercury Energy in the days that followed have been astounding.
Until yesterday, when Mercury Energy finally fronted up to the Muliaga family at their Mangere home, on the advice of its Samoan workers, it had been more intent on being right than being sorry, insisting it was in the clear, that it had done nothing wrong.
As if this was about being right.
No one at Mercury seemed to notice how offensive it was for a state-owned enterprise that made a net profit of more than $100 million last year to wage a public relations battle against a grieving widower who now has to support himself and four children on an income of just over $400 a week.
On Thursday, general manager James Moulder was confident "the communications we had with the customer were very clear about the circumstances that would happen". He seemed to have forgotten the circumstances that happened were that "the customer" died because her power was turned off.
What they should have done was to say sorry as if they meant it, and promise to do everything in their power to prevent something like this ever happening again. They should have been more concerned with sparing the family more pain than with their image.
And they should have been working on ways Mercury Energy could better respond to people like the Muliagas, who can't pay their power bills, even with the best will in the world. They have work to do there, yet nothing they've said even hints at a recognition of this.
Mercury Energy's chiefs shouldn't have needed their Samoan workers to tell them how to respond. This wasn't a cultural issue, it was a human one. Their apology yesterday, with fine mats and a $10,000 cheque for the funeral, would have gone some way to assuaging the hurt. But it must have been a bitter-sweet moment for the Muliagas, who would still have Folole if not for a $168.40 bill.
Folole died despite the family making two fortnightly payments amounting to $106.90 in the past month; they'd paid what they could every payday. Their last bill showed the outstanding amount of $168.40, on top of current charges. It gave them until June 13 the total.
Mighty River Power chief Doug Heffernan said the "level of payments was less than the amount accruing. The family was getting further in debt despite payments being made." Mr Moulder said that "making small payments on larger bills does not mean you get out of that disconnection process unless you come and talk to us about it".
He needs to take a closer look at his company. Last year, I got a disconnection notice. I'd been a little distracted - my mother had died - and I'd forgotten to pay.
The bill totalled more than $900. The notice said I'd be disconnected if I didn't pay within 48 hours. I rang Mercury. The overdue amount was in the $400s. Could I pay that, I asked, and pay the rest when it became due?
No, said the unsympathetic woman at the other end. If I didn't pay the whole amount in 48 hours, my power would be cut. There was nothing I could do, nothing Mercury was prepared to do.
I wondered then what happened to people who really couldn't afford to pay. Now we all know."
]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:41:38 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154032&title=muliaga-family#154032 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154029&title=muliaga-family#154029 Author: .Mel
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 11:33am

My 2c:
Her family sat there and watched her die. Regardless of the tech coming and them begging. They let her die, not M/E. Maybe some of that come down to pride and respect. Respecting his mother's wishes because she knew they wouldn't be able to afford the cost of the ambulance. My only other boggle about this is: What if there had been a power cut in the area at that exact same time and day and she still died?
Who would have been responsible then? Would we all be discussing it? Or would it have been a tragic accident? ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:33:45 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154029&title=muliaga-family#154029 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154020&title=muliaga-family#154020 Author: Anna
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 11:16am

This topic was always bound to become heated. But I think it needs to be thought of as less of an attack on those who should or should not be held accountable and more as a tragic lesson that must be learnt from and not repeated.

]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:16:06 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154020&title=muliaga-family#154020 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154019&title=muliaga-family#154019 Author: Glow
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 11:14am

[QUOTE=Two Blondinis] just a thought here, but I would assume that someone who required that level of medical care had a "professional" to look after her case?

It is common knowledge that some cultures are extremely proud and find it difficult to ask for help, regardless of the reason.

SO - Why aren't there systems in place that see a family struggling and step in without waiting to be asked whilst respecting the families beliefs etc? Where the heck were the people who are supposed to be looking after her? Why didn't someone see the family were getting into financial difficulty and step in?
And if there was no professional assistance, what about extended family? what about her church members?

[QUOTE]

But funny how they ask for help now eh??

Edited by Glow]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:14:16 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154019&title=muliaga-family#154019 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154009&title=muliaga-family#154009 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 11:01am

toni your right it is a sad outcome..

i was talking with my mum about this and she said ms muliaga probably didnt expect she was going to die either...but add to that the stress of two youngish sons over reacting, wondering where the money was going to come from, how long they would be without and how was she going to break it to her husband.???

Edited by Katherine]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:01:35 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154009&title=muliaga-family#154009 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154002&title=muliaga-family#154002 Author: Two Blondinis
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 10:51am

just a thought here, but I would assume that someone who required that level of medical care had a "professional" to look after her case?

It is common knowledge that some cultures are extremely proud and find it difficult to ask for help, regardless of the reason.

SO - Why aren't there systems in place that see a family struggling and step in without waiting to be asked whilst respecting the families beliefs etc? Where the heck were the people who are supposed to be looking after her? Why didn't someone see the family were getting into financial difficulty and step in?
And if there was no professional assistance, what about extended family? what about her church members?

This is a very sad outcome with many that should be shouldering the "blame". I can't help but think of that guy who turned the power off, like someone said what if this was family #10 of the day pleading poverty (rightly or wrongly so) and I guess after a while in such a job you would become hard hearted, but now that guy has to live with the fact that his actions lead to the death of another human.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:51:27 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154002&title=muliaga-family#154002 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154001&title=muliaga-family#154001 Author: nuttymama
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 10:51am

Then please by all means let me know where the "Racial Slurs" are. You insinuated that those that disagree with you are racist or else why mention it. Why must people aways resort to racism as a defense.

Yes a person has died and yes it is tragic, but the bottom line is it was preventable, even after their power was cut off whether it should have been or not is not the point even after that fact it took TWO HOURS that's two hours when she could have received help. Which is something that the family are forever going to question.

Just because we don't agree doesn't make your opinion more important than others.

Whether we like it or not the world revolves around money and everyone that requires a service needs to pay for it. If no one pays no one makes money and therefore the service is no longer viable. There is help out there and people know that. This is a tradegy but the power company can not be held accountable. Yes if she had died within minutes of the power being cut maybe but not after so long.

Leave the "racial" comments alone no one is being raciest they simply see it for what it is, green, yellow, brown or white it doesn't matter the facts remain the same.

Whether or not the family called the media is redundant as they have now invited them onto their home and they could have asked for privacy.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:51:26 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=154001&title=muliaga-family#154001 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153996&title=muliaga-family#153996 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 10:22am

vick wrote: gandt wrote: hear hear emeldee... None of us know the real story and i think that takes away any right to cast stones or make judgments or racial slurs...a person has died.     Gant I have read every reply to this and who the heck has made a racial slur!! My god simply because you don't agree with something does not make you raciest. And I resent the implication. My sister in law is a pacific islander and they never had a lot of money, however what they did have was family. They were constantly giving money to family members who needed it and visa versa, and as she has said that's the way their families work. Even she has stated this did not need to happen. There are a lot of families that have very little money and as people have said they prioritize. ie power money before church donations! I stand by my opinion and would think the same even if this person was white!!!!!

did i call you a racist?

i too stand by what i said...a person has died and that is the bottom line.

Edited by gandt]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:22:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153996&title=muliaga-family#153996 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153995&title=muliaga-family#153995 Author: pepsi
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 10:22am

It probably is true that people would react differently had it been a newborn baby that had died, however having said that, a baby wouldn't be in a position to say "no, don't take me to hospital". I'm sure that even though we all have our own opinions on this issue, no-body is saying "good, glad she died" or anything. It's just the circumstances around the death that which we are discussing so it doesn't take away from the tragedy of it actually happening.

As for knowing the full story I personally don't believe there is more to know is there? I mean, family has no money, can't pay the bill, power gets cut off.. Regardless of what they spent their money on, why she was sick, unfortunately electricity isn't provided as a right to every household, it's a service that we have to pay for. Other than cut the power off, what comeback does the power company have on a family that doesn't pay their bill? If you have a car on HP and don't pay the installments, the finance company can repo the car. Don't pay your phone bill, phone gets cut off...etc..]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:22:20 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153995&title=muliaga-family#153995 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153985&title=muliaga-family#153985 Author: nuttymama
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 9:45am

gandt wrote: hear hear emeldee... None of us know the real story and i think that takes away any right to cast stones or make judgments or racial slurs...a person has died.

Gant I have read every reply to this and who the heck has made a racial slur!! My god simply because you don't agree with something does not make you raciest. And I resent the implication.

My sister in law is a pacific islander and they never had a lot of money, however what they did have was family. They were constantly giving money to family members who needed it and visa versa, and as she has said that's the way their families work. Even she has stated this did not need to happen. There are a lot of families that have very little money and as people have said they prioritize. ie power money before church donations!

I stand by my opinion and would think the same even if this person was white!!!!!]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 09:45:39 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153985&title=muliaga-family#153985 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153983&title=muliaga-family#153983 Author: ginger
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 9:22am

Ooo booweezq!! You've lost 5.kg!! Congratulations!!

Sorry ...bit off topic ...


Erm ...something that bothers me is that the herald, quoting a medical professional, said that her breathing difficulties were the result of an obesity-related illness. This is one thing she and her family could have taken responsibility for some time ago. It takes a lot of time to let that sort of weight get out of control, and although there may have been medical factors, the children were also very overweight, so I think it is possibly a lifestyle thing. There has been a huge amount of publicity about health in recent years, and people know the risks, and all over NZ, people are making changes to their lifestyle. There are TV programmes showing how to cook, how to do exercise (right down to walking gently), how to live, how to plan meals and grocery shopping ...and I remember one programme about 6-12 months ago (Evil Diet Witch) which targeted island families and diet, and showed healthier ways to produce traditional foods.

She herself could have taken action which very well might have saved her life as well.

I come from a family that was very, very poor for a long time, and who struggled to pay bills. It often came down to what was most important month to month - do we need shelter, a phone or power most? Do we have mince, mince, or mince for dinner? So please don't think that I am heart-hearted towards their financial plight. But, regardless of your financial position and what help you can/can't ask for, you have to take responsibility for yourselves.

Edited by ginger]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 09:22:09 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153983&title=muliaga-family#153983 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153966&title=muliaga-family#153966 Author: BSDH
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 8:10am

I agree with emeldee...

I think we all maybe being a bit tuff without ALL the facts]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 08:10:51 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153966&title=muliaga-family#153966 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153965&title=muliaga-family#153965 Author: Anna
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 8:10am

So many times I have wanted to respond to this but end up deleting everything I write.

I do feel very sad for this family losing their mother. But I do also believe that each individual is responsible for themselves and their own. While pride plays a big factor I think that help is mostly available if you ask for it and requesting it in this situation could have saved much grief.

This woman was sick but perhaps it was more than the just physical aspects that lead to her death, I think that emotional aspects play a big part and wonder if perhaps turning off the power was the 'last straw' that made her 'give up'.

I think it is very unfair to imply that mercury energy should shoulder the blame. I would hope that in a similar situation I would not hope to point the finger so conclusively at another party. But then, I gues you never can tell how you would react in such a situation.

I also think it is important to remember that in cases like these the media leaps in and 'sensationalises' a story for maximum impact. There are most likely many factors that are missing from the information we have access to and this makes it impossible for us to judge.

Part of me thinks that the family needs to take some responsibility but I also think that this needs to be less about who is at fault and more about the sadness that results from losing a loved one and educating people so this doesn't happen again.

(Can anyone say 'sitting on the fence'?)]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 08:10:19 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153965&title=muliaga-family#153965 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153964&title=muliaga-family#153964 Author: lizzle
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 8:09am

I won't get into the debate as I think there were some mistakes played on both sides and it's tragic it has come to this, but I do feel really sorry for that contractor

When you think about it, Power is a life-providing thing for all of us. I mean ,it's winter now. If we can't heat our houses, we would all be in serious trouble. I;ve got asthma, lack of heat could trigger a fatal attack *scary, as someone pointed out newborn babaies are particulary suseptible. I wonder if that means the power companies should beunable to ever turn off power.....not being sarcastic I really do wonder.

as for the media, i remember when the bain case happened, the media were all over David pretty much showing how guilty he was. now he's out on bail, suddely most of the media are going on about how remarkable it is and how "finally" this innocent man has been released, Nevermind that he is still a suspect. I'm teaching media at the moment and it's really interesting showing the kids just how easily it ca be used to manipulate.]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 08:09:07 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153964&title=muliaga-family#153964 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153959&title=muliaga-family#153959 Author: Glow
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 7:55am

I dont believe the family didn't receive advice re the machine & think the DHB has just said it to cover their arses.
OK these machines also need gas tanks??? Which are filled every few days- depending on how much you need them, they are not simple things to use and have different settings etc. Surely they would of been told somewhat how to use it.

Sorry but i have to say this, this lady was sacrificed for her church & now look at the rewards the are getting!!!

BTW if i set up an account for donations & complain about the treatment my mother received in a similar situation(yes brown, yes sickness beneficiary & who lived alone on the machine)OK she never got her power cut off & rang the ambo when she knew the machine wasn't enough, but do you think i'd get help with all the debt I'm in because of it???
NO!!!! And I'm quite happy TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT, AS HER FAMILY
It is sad loosing a family member & we never knew when its going to happen ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 07:55:30 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153959&title=muliaga-family#153959 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153957&title=muliaga-family#153957 Author: LuluBelle85
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 7:43am

gandt wrote: booweeza wrote: I wondered if this topic was going to come up, kinda hoping it wouldn't because I have sooooooo much to say, but I'm not allowed to. why arent you allowed to say anything???

The company I work for is a sub-contractor to Mercury. ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 07:43:16 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153957&title=muliaga-family#153957 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153954&title=muliaga-family#153954 Author: Sarah Beth
Subject: 7944
Posted: 02 June 2007 at 7:26am

I must admit I have been worried all night about this post and wondered if perhaps I shouldn't have said anything, and am pleased it hasn't become a nasty cat fight.

I think I have to say my main issues are
1. Someone took this to the media very quickly (or the media got the story very quick) that for some reason doesn't sit right with me

2. They are accepting donations after Mercury energy gave them $10,000 for the funeral. That sits even worse with me

3. A lawyer was found very quickly, in this situation it would be the last thing on my mind. If the lawyer approached them I find that even worse

4. Perhaps the power shouldn't have been cut off, however I think more blame (if we are going to play that game) should lie with the hospital etc for not providing the family with more information about what is avaliable to them.

5. yes perhaps the family should have called an ambulance and it was the cost that put them off, but there are other means of getting to a hospital...

I will admit here too, all our bills arrive to our house at the end of the month, right when Jack was born. I was at the hospital, M was a bit distracted and to this day we still can't find the March bills. We know we were responsible for this error. What did shock me though was before the next months bill even turned up we received a phone call warning of disconnection and a rather nasty letter stating if the bill wasn't paid in a certain time period the power would be cut off. I am sure that in the past you had longer than this...]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 07:26:45 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153954&title=muliaga-family#153954 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153941&title=muliaga-family#153941 Author: Maya
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 11:43pm

gandt wrote: Maya wrote: who the hell made the decision to go to the media in the first place, and what was their motivation for doing so. i wonder if it was a case of someone going to the media, or more a case of the media sticking its nose in where it wasnt welcomed...did they get a whiff of a potential story on a slow news day when they were ambulance chasing???

More than likely! As a profession, we're not known for our tact or morals, and I don't recall taking a "media ethics" class at uni, but even so, the family have union delegates and so-called "spokespeople" speaking for them, and these are people adept at fobbing off journalists when need be.

gandt wrote: we just dont know, and as much as we speculate we will probably never know the truth... or why an aumbulance wasnt called or what was said to whom or who saw what .. it is very sad and sadder still that it has become public property.

Yep, why can't we just let them grieve in private? Especially now that we (as Mercury customers) are paying for the funeral...]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:43:04 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153941&title=muliaga-family#153941 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153938&title=muliaga-family#153938 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 11:31pm

Maya wrote: who the hell made the decision to go to the media in the first place, and what was their motivation for doing so.

i wonder if it was a case of someone going to the media, or more a case of the media sticking its nose in where it wasnt welcomed...did they get a whiff of a potential story on a slow news day when they were ambulance chasing???

we just dont know, and as much as we speculate we will probably never know the truth... or why an aumbulance wasnt called or what was said to whom or who saw what .. it is very sad and sadder still that it has become public property. ]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:31:38 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153938&title=muliaga-family#153938 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153926&title=muliaga-family#153926 Author: busymum
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 11:00pm

gandt wrote: and busymum they didnt use it as an excuse

I realise that, what I was trying to say is that now every second person who's about to get their power cut off will bring out the excuses - to avoid all those necessary payments I was talking about.

Was she having regular check-ups with someone to make sure the at-home arrangement was still working well? I just wish she had allowed herself to be admitted to hospital - and be safe - while the rest of this was being worked out. *sigh* It IS sad, I think a lot of people are probably so grieved right now that their clear thinking is gone and everyone's pointing finger.]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:00:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153926&title=muliaga-family#153926 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153921&title=muliaga-family#153921 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 10:57pm

booweeza wrote: I wondered if this topic was going to come up, kinda hoping it wouldn't because I have sooooooo much to say, but I'm not allowed to.

why arent you allowed to say anything???]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:57:32 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153921&title=muliaga-family#153921 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153913&title=muliaga-family#153913 Author: Maya
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 10:47pm

Bombshell wrote: however im stunned how quick they ran to the media when they had not acted quickly with anything else...the people who chose to go to the media ( i suspect that it was not the immed family) didnt help out before...maybe they should be held accountable?

I'm not going to get into a debate over who's at fault as, being a journalist, I am acutely aware of the media's ability to frame any given situation in a way which makes it more newsworthy or controversial. There are two sides to every story, and no matter which side of the fence you're on, you better believe you're not getting the whole story.

But I absolutely, completely agree with Bombshell - who the hell made the decision to go to the media in the first place, and what was their motivation for doing so. regardless of who's to blams, it IS a tragedy, and it WAS heartless for Mercury to disconnect the power and now a woman is dead, but throw that bone to the TV news and you've got headlines around the world. Given that the family has now set up an account for donations, I have to wonder...]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:47:38 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153913&title=muliaga-family#153913 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153908&title=muliaga-family#153908 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 10:41pm

Bombshell wrote: no i disagree - if someone is on a machine and they have debts then there is a set up that the power company will take into consideration and work with...everyone deserves life in that regard...

Unfortunatley not quite true re the set up.

A close family relative of mine needs a machine at night without which they could slip into a coma and potentialy die. A month or so back they were in arrears with mercury and was in constant contact with them and was still threatened with disconnection and when it was explained about the machine they were essentially told "tough, pay your bills on time." when they rang up yesterday to find out more about this registry of names that couldnt be disconnected they were told by that same operator (in the disconnection department) that they knew nothing of such a registry. ]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:41:31 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153908&title=muliaga-family#153908 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153903&title=muliaga-family#153903 Author: Bombshell
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 10:33pm

no i disagree - if someone is on a machine and they have debts then there is a set up that the power company will take into consideration and work with...everyone deserves life in that regard...

however im stunned how quick they ran to the media when they had not acted quickly with anything else...the people who chose to go to the media ( i suspect that it was not the immed family) didnt help out before...maybe they should be held accountable?

THe mother would have had plenty of advice from many people throughout this - we all know if power goes off then the machine stops....she made a decision that her family will now need to live with....]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:33:39 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153903&title=muliaga-family#153903 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153902&title=muliaga-family#153902 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 10:33pm

hear hear emeldee...

They were paying their bill...is not a commitment to pay off their arrears and proof they were following thru with that sufficient ????

and busymum they didnt use it as an excuse...your right tho what is nz coming to...how could we as a country let a power company hold us hostage and use bully boy tactics on families with low incomes and cut off power to families with elderly or sick members who need oxygen or machines to help them breathe or to stop them slipping into a coma.

And what about the families with newborn babies who need power to heat their houses...would your reactions have been different if it had been a newborn that died due to insufficient heating or lack of a way to heat necessary medicine or food????

None of us know the real story and i think that takes away any right to cast stones or make judgments or racial slurs...a person has died.    ]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:33:39 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153902&title=muliaga-family#153902 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153891&title=muliaga-family#153891 Author: busymum
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 9:59pm

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one thinking like this either. If the next excuse for keeping your power on, food on the table, gas in the car... is all because of your dying mother or whoever, then what is NZ coming to? If you don't pay your power bill, you don't get power. If you have a life machine that relies on power then pay your power bill before everything else! Where's the common sense?

I haven't heard what Helen Clark has to say about the matter, it's nothing to do with her and she ought to be leaving the matter to the Courts if the family is going to go legal. What a mess this all is!]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:59:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153891&title=muliaga-family#153891 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153890&title=muliaga-family#153890 Author: LuluBelle85
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 9:59pm

I wondered if this topic was going to come up, kinda hoping it wouldn't because I have sooooooo much to say, but I'm not allowed to.

I only wish, and this applies to everything, everyone, everywhere for any occasion... that people could take reponsibility for their own lives and actions.



]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:59:01 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153890&title=muliaga-family#153890 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153889&title=muliaga-family#153889 Author: WRXnKids
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 9:56pm

im glad im not the only one thinking this if my air supply had been stopped cos the power was cut off i would not sit on my backside and do nothing! I would have called the ambo or gone to a family members that had power! Mecury energy supplies power and power cost money these companies cant exist if no-one pays there bills so i dont blame them for cutting the service. As far as i am concerned she did it to herself and it should be treated as a suicide as she did not take measures to prevent her death! I was angry with goverment blaming the power company and disapointed that mercury gave them ten grand although it was a nice thought on there behalf even if it is only because the blame is unfairly being dumped on them! If i didnt get flybuys with Contact i would switch to mercury to support them. Yes i sound like a heartless cow but i would have used my brain educated or not and actively saved my own life!!!! ]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:56:22 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153889&title=muliaga-family#153889 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153885&title=muliaga-family#153885 Author: emeldee
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 9:37pm

Bombshell wrote: apparently these machines come with advice as to what to do if your power fails etc...not sure if they chose to ignore that or not. also these machines used to come with information as to who to let know if you had debts etc...esp power etc...as far as i am aware after talking to someone who works in that field these machines set up allow power companies and the like to take this into consideration.... so did the family take all that advice from the day they got the machine or did they just ignore it. I know it is difficult for some island (or non NZ) people but that advice is given for a reason with such machines.

The District Health Board have already confirmed that they did not give this family this advice and information. They have said that as a result of this tragedy they will from now on. ]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:37:13 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153885&title=muliaga-family#153885 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153883&title=muliaga-family#153883 Author: nuttymama
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 9:29pm

Thank god i am not the only person who thinks this. By the way the media are playing it up and everyone is carrying on I thought I was being a heartless b*t*h! All I keep thinking is TWO HOURS, they had two hours to get help. Yes it was a tragedy and yes I feel sorry for the family but you can't hold the power company accountable when once again they had two hours.

You do make some good points emeldee but I agree with the question that pepsi raised regarding the bank account. And an ambulance fee is able to be paid off. If one of my family members so desperately needed an ambulance I wouldn't give a rats if they could afford it or not I'd just get one. There are possibly faults in both camps, and if anything a lesson should be learnt but not at the further expense of either parties.

Labour with all their disgust and sympathy are purely trying to win votes!!!]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:29:59 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153883&title=muliaga-family#153883 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153880&title=muliaga-family#153880 Author: Glow
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 9:26pm

Donations???? OMFG!!! sorry but that just made me sick!!

UMMM hello??!?! Totally shameless & damn getting away with it.



And if only you knew my whole history.....]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:26:26 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153880&title=muliaga-family#153880 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153877&title=muliaga-family#153877 Author: fattartsrock
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 9:17pm

pepsi wrote: I don't know what to think of the pride issue when the family has now set up a bank account for people to pay donations into..

how fricken terrible!!!!]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:17:21 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153877&title=muliaga-family#153877 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153874&title=muliaga-family#153874 Author: Bombshell
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 9:12pm

apparently these machines come with advice as to what to do if your power fails etc...not sure if they chose to ignore that or not. also these machines used to come with information as to who to let know if you had debts etc...esp power etc...as far as i am aware after talking to someone who works in that field these machines set up allow power companies and the like to take this into consideration....

so did the family take all that advice from the day they got the machine or did they just ignore it. I know it is difficult for some island (or non NZ) people but that advice is given for a reason with such machines.

why did winz not step in then too and advise the power company etc? we step in and advse companies that we hold monies that are being negotiated between people and ask them to hold off debt collection and it works...why didnt someone assist in this case...???? the media was informed pretty quickly....surely those persons could have done something about this situation before too?]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:12:09 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153874&title=muliaga-family#153874 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153872&title=muliaga-family#153872 Author: pepsi
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 9:05pm

I don't know what to think of the pride issue when the family has now set up a bank account for people to pay donations into.. ]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:05:48 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153872&title=muliaga-family#153872 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153868&title=muliaga-family#153868 Author: fattartsrock
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 8:51pm

Also, what is up with the man from mercury's awful cheap suit???]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:51:48 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153868&title=muliaga-family#153868 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153867&title=muliaga-family#153867 Author: fattartsrock
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 8:51pm

I realise there is a whole pride issue going on with asking for help, because I know there is alot of help out there if you ask for it. I don't really think it's fair to blame mercury either. I am getting really sick of it being dredged out int he news all the time, now the politicians are all wading in point scoring. yes it is sad, but the reality of the situation is you want power, you pay your bill. Before you pay your church. I see they were drip feeding it, which is great, because some is better than none, but why didn't they ring the power company when the power had ben shut off to say hey whats up? ]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:51:10 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153867&title=muliaga-family#153867 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153863&title=muliaga-family#153863 Author: Bubbaloo
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 8:41pm

I don't think Mercury Energy is to blame either. If she needed power that bad the should of some kind of back up supply b/c lets face some power cuts last more than 2 hours as well. I do feel sad for the family though I think it's more bad timing than anything as by what one of the doctors said it sounds like she wasn't going to be here much longer so bit more of a coincidence I think ]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:41:44 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153863&title=muliaga-family#153863 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153855&title=muliaga-family#153855 Author: peanut butter
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 8:30pm

fair points emeldee it is a tragedy that a series of misfortune resulted in this happening, whether is was cultural, financial etc. Maybe it highlights some problems in our society. BUT.....I dont think blaming Mercury Energy is the answer and I think the media is making a killing out of this and Helen Clark should learn when to say "no comment".]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:30:29 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153855&title=muliaga-family#153855 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153849&title=muliaga-family#153849 Author: emeldee
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 8:12pm

I disagree with the earlier comments. I've worked with Work and Income and subsequently with people in West Auckland below the poverty line for over a decade. The Muliaga family were paying their bills and had made part payments towards them over the past months. Before Mrs Muliaga became ill they were paying all of their bills on time and successfully raising a large family on a low income. Mrs Muliaga had completed qualifications at the University of Auckland and was a positive example for her family. The tragedy that is highlighted with this case is not just about the miscommunications - I don't think anyone can be certain of what was or was not said. The absolute tragedy is that this family was in need and did not know where to get help at one of the many steps along the way that could have stopped this. The DHB has said that letters were available to give power companies but didn't. I know for absolute certain that there is assistance available through Work and Income that would have loaned them money for the power bill. Mercury Energy have said that there are steps in place. The churches in the community have said that they could have helped. In hindsight, there are so many places for help. However, pride and a larger society that says that you should fend for yourself and not be dependent on others meant that these steps were missed. I dare say, when she told her son not to phone an ambulance sooner she was thinking about the $70 that St Johns would charge to take her to hospital, and how that money needed to go on the power bill or for the children. She wouldn't have thought for a second that she wasn't going to make it. This whole case is an absolute tragedy. And while $170 doesn't sound like much, and definitely doesn't sound like it's enough to cost a life, for many, many families in our community, $170 may as well be first division lotto. This is a responsible, hard working family that has suffered an incredible tragedy. I'm positive that every member of that family and their extended family is haunted by the thought that they could have skipped paying the rent (risking eviction) and saved their wife/mum/aunt's life. AND BEFORE ATTRIBUTING BLAME TO THE FAMILY OR ANYONE ELSE - I DON'T THINK ANYONE, INCLUDING THE FAMILY MEMBERS HAD ANY IDEA THAT THIS COULD HAVE POSSIBLY HAPPENED.

Edited by emeldee]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:12:41 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153849&title=muliaga-family#153849 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153844&title=muliaga-family#153844 Author: susieq
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 7:49pm

their are two sides to every story , and my dad actually works at mercury energy and he has told me some interesting things ,(btw he wasnt the contractor nor did he send him to that particular job !!!) but i probably am not allowed to mention them

But i do agree with everyone, im sorry but if my mum was dying in front of me,even if they did say "dont call i dont want to be a burden" id say "sod off mum, you already have something to help you breathe they will want to come help you ...it is what ambulance workers do"
and another thing , does anyone remember last year when the power went off in auckland for 3 hours ? why arent those machines equipped with batteries or something in case the power fails?
I know the family is hurting and as is often the case they want to find someone to blame for their loss, but it seems like everyone is just too eager to blame the big "evil " corporation.

caitlynsmygirl

Edited by susieq]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:49:21 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153844&title=muliaga-family#153844 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153842&title=muliaga-family#153842 Author: MyMinis
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 7:47pm

Yeah I agree.
At first I was annoyed with the power company until I sat there and thought about it for a while, 2hrs was more than enough time to get to a hospital and Power is always a priority bill along with rent and food, well in my house it is anyway.
I think mercury were very generous in giving them the $10,000 for funeral costs etc.
There is help for low income families if they ask for it, all they needed to do was explain their situation to mercury and I bet they wouldve been very understanding and organised soemthing. JMO.
I do feel for the family though it is hard to lose a family member.]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:47:45 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153842&title=muliaga-family#153842 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153838&title=muliaga-family#153838 Author: Glow
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 7:41pm

Its a very interesting situation for me as i have seen loved & lost someone who was using "the machine" at their home for over a year. I know how much it costs to use & yes it does get expensive etc etc blah blah blah.... however

I agree the family is responsible & nobody else.

There is always help out there if you ask- it shouldn't have got this far out of hand????
And there is always an ambulance- once again to much pride or whatever to ask for help i think.
Something is not right ]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:41:51 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153838&title=muliaga-family#153838 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153834&title=muliaga-family#153834 Author: Bel
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 7:21pm

I don't want to get too involved, but I am glad that we are all on the same track! I just can't get over the fact tht her son wanted to call an ambulance and she said 'no', if he was that worried then they should have rung anyway. Almost has nothing to do with Mercury Energy

My workmates ended up at war with each other yesterday over it, it seems to have gotten really personal.]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:21:03 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153834&title=muliaga-family#153834 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153830&title=muliaga-family#153830 Author: pepsi
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 7:11pm

A tragic situation yes, but I personally don't feel that Mercury Energy is to blame either. The technician, maybe, in terms of making the wrong moral decision (but he denies being told of the oxygen machine, so that is hearsay). Then there is the fact that the mother complained of breathing difficulties and when her son said he would take her to hospital she refused and died at home 2 hours later. Her doctor said that her condition did not require 24 hour oxygen and that in fact 2 hours was sufficient time for her to go to the hospital. I mean, it's not like Mercury wouldn't have been trying to collect the money for a while - they don't just cut the power off as soon as a payment is missed. I certainly wouldn't rely on free power out of the goodness of a large power company's heart if I had a family member using medical equipment.

Edited by pepsi]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:11:28 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153830&title=muliaga-family#153830 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153828&title=muliaga-family#153828 Author: miss
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 7:09pm

It is a really interesting issue - over on EBB the debate has got somewhat heated and a bit personal, so I hope that doesn't happen here!

I am afraid that I have to agree with you guys. I think it is really, really sad that the woman died, I think that it is awful that she told her son no to call the ambulance which would have kept her alive.

I also don't think that blame should go onto the contractoer - they would hear so many lies in sob stories when they go to cut power off, why would they beleive another one?

After what was reprorted tonight, I now feel some blame needs to go on to the family church (if blame is being apportioned to those involved in the bill not being paid). The family was giving money to the church, but couldn't pay their power bill! The church (all churches) should make it clear to their flocks that the coverage of basic needs comes before any contribution to the church.]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:09:45 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153828&title=muliaga-family#153828 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153827&title=muliaga-family#153827 Author: peachy
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 7:09pm

Totally agree with you all, I have had enough of the media frenzy, pay your bill or your power gets cut off -end of story (sorry I sound like such a heartless b**tch)!! But come on, I have to pay my bills every month without question!

IMO the family is responsible for failing to provide for her.]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:09:06 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153827&title=muliaga-family#153827 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153823&title=muliaga-family#153823 Author: kebakat
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 7:00pm

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this!!!!

The only thing I thing the company could have done better was when the tech went to turn it off and found out power was needed for her medical equip, maybe they could have come up with a deadline of another week or something for her/her family to pay the bill.

Edited by kebakat]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:00:44 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153823&title=muliaga-family#153823 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153820&title=muliaga-family#153820 Author: peanut butter
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 6:58pm

Thank you for saying what I've been thinking too! I thought pregnancy would make me softer, not harder! I think the whole thing is a crock. Man, i am getting hard. I mean it is sad that it happened. but what did her family do for 2 hours? Watch her get worse????? If that was your baby, you'd be calling an ambulance and getting help. Worry about complaining once you got the person to safety.]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:58:36 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153820&title=muliaga-family#153820 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153808&title=muliaga-family#153808 Author: Sarah Beth
Subject: 7944
Posted: 01 June 2007 at 6:21pm

I am just wondering what others thoughts are about this and the mercury energy issue with them cutting off their power.

I think over tiredness is making me a little short fused on the issue and tonight on the news Helen Clark said that there had to be accountability by Mercury energy. My question is this, why doesn't there have to be accountability for the Muliaga family for not paying their bill?]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:21:48 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7944&PID=153808&title=muliaga-family#153808