Muliaga Family

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Also, what is up with the man from mercury's awful cheap suit???

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?

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.....