As a movement, we are aware that many in our communities are continuing to struggle with the housing crisis and rising cost of living. A new petition is a practical response seeking transformation for the households finding it hardest across the country.

The first time they cut electricity to cancer survivor Debbie Leyland’s home, her children were living with her. “They charged a disconnection fee that was about $60. I was sitting with no power for a week through winter while trying to get the money … but then they wanted an extra $140 to reconnect it.”

Debbie switched companies but a couple of months later was cut off again. She went to WINZ for support but was deeply humiliated when told by a WINZ worker to budget. “That’s a waste of time if you don’t have any money to budget,” she said at the launch of a petition to the Electricity Authority for greater oversight of the industry.

The petition launch at St. Peters on Willis Street was led by Kate Day, from Common Grace Aotearoa. 

Debbie shared alongside Dr. Kimberly O’Sullivan, a researcher from the University of Otago, and Jake Lilley, a policy advisor from FinCap.

Situations like Debbie's are what Common Grace Aotearoa is trying to address.

Founded by Kate Day and Alex Johnson, Common Grace Aotearoa is a Christian advocacy group that mobilizes action on issues such as climate change, energy, and transport. It is supported in the Wellington Diocese by Bishop's Community Development Trust and currently has two campaigns running with a wider coalition of partners, one on electricity and one on climate.

Introducing the event, Kate said the petition calls for change in four ways: transparency as to why companies need to charge disconnection and reconnection fees; reduction of the higher average prices for homes using pre-pay electricity plans; transparency of disconnection statistics for prepay plans; and enforcement of the industry’s own consumer care guidelines. 

Kate hopes to see the Electricity Authority bring these changes into effect before winter 2024. “They’re low-hanging fruit that would make a transformative difference for thousands of households.”

Last winter Debbie was recovering from chemotherapy for voicebox cancer. She had to take care of how much time she could afford to spend out of bed with her heating on. “I had a timer so I could sit downstairs for an hour, and then when the timer went off, it was back to bed.”

“I’ve had days where I’ve had to decide: Do I eat today, or do I pay for power? 

“I have to choose the standards I live by. Meanwhile, electricity companies are getting rich off my poverty situation.”

Please join the call for a fairer society and greater industry oversight:

-          Sign the petition and share it through your networks today

-          Visit the campaign website to hear more about the demands

-          Contact Kate Day if you, or someone you know, wants to share experiences of disconnection fees or prepay prices