Power failure

YOUR HEADLINE ‘‘Powercos defend wages hikes’’ is another blow to those who cannot afford power to heat their homes especially under the current freezing temperatures.

Consumer Magazine reports 41,085 householders had their power cut off last year for failing to pay their bills. I would rather state that they could not afford to pay their bills because the cost of power is still too high especially in cold areas of the country.

Consumer also states: ‘‘Despite over two decades of reform, consumers are yet to get reliable assurances that the market model is supplying electricity at a reasonable price.’’ However, what is most galling is the huge salaries these CEOs receive.

Power CEOs are being paid twice or three times as much as the prime minister. It might be a high powered job but I cannot believe is more difficult than running a country. Maybe the Greens and Labour’s single buyer system needs to be looked at as a cheaper option?

Stan Chun, Wellington