Thank you Janet
Editor, I would like to say a big thank-you to Janet at New World for coming to my aid about two weeks ago in the supermarket, whilst having a particularly difficult time with my 5-year-old son.
I am assuming it was one of the new owners though she didn’t say at the time.
Janet introduced herself as one of the team that works in store, and her lovely calm and unassuming manner was just the ticket.
Janet, you demonstrated a rare trait seen these days in customer service a genuine desire to help a mother who is being challenged by a strong-willed grumpy child, a situation most people run a mile from.
Regardless of your position in New World know that your great initiative coupled with kindness shown that day made the world of difference. Leadership is always best demonstrated by example and this has obviously influenced other staff members because, after whisking my son away to help you in your office another very observant staff member approached me to ask if I was OK as she had suddenly noticed my son’s absence.
As the famous saying goes ‘‘it takes a whole village to raise a child’’ so I would just like to say welcome to the village and thank-you for demonstrating true customer service at its very best. PAULA BIRNIE,
Titahi Bay their excuses and treat their response with the contempt it deserves.
Me thinks that ‘‘there are none so blind as those who will not see’’. ALLAN BLOOMFIELD,
Pauatahanui building practitioner is unable to obtain any insurance cover for weathertightness issues, the cost once again will be on the ratepayer. PETER EADES,
Takapuwahia BRANZ chief executive Pieter Burghout responds:
To clarify at the outset, BRANZ is not a Government crown entity; we are owned and directed by New Zealand’s building and construction industry as an independent research body.
The BRANZ Appraisal system was introduced in 1974.
Since then more than 400 appraisals have been issued covering more than 700 BRANZ appraised products.
The appraisal service was started as one method for manufacturers and distributors to demonstrate compliance with the New Zealand Building Code.
BRANZ has never been found legally liable for any weathertight failure – because in every instance it was clear that the neither appraisal nor manufacturers’ technical literature were followed.
Appraisal documentation relating to the product and how it should be properly installed was not followed correctly.
However, having said that, we have learnt lessons from the leaky home saga and have spent considerable effort and money researching, investigating and working diligently with the industry to eradicate the building of leaky homes.
We believe, as evidenced by the Hunn report completed by the Government at the time, that the leaky homes issue was a ‘‘systemic’’ failure right across all parts of the industry, and it has required a concerted industry focus to get the problems resolved.
We accept, as does the broader industry, that the leaky buildings saga has been a seriously unfortunate affair for those caught up in it. We are all honour bound to ensure it never gets repeated.