Could you be about to lose your power?
New Zealanders have been asked to conserve energy this morning to combat a possible electricity shortfall.
Mōrena, and welcome to The Bulletin for Friday, May 10.
In today’s edition: A cross-party approach to climate adaptation, some more Budget 2024 details, and why do pop stars keeping snubbing us? But first, a possible electricity shortfall on a chilly May morning.
A call to conserve power
New Zealand is facing a possible electricity shortfall, with people up and down the country being urged to conserve energy from about now – 7am – through until 9am this morning. On Facebook yesterday afternoon, Transpower said “an unseasonal cold snap and low wind generation” was to blame, potentially causing power outages on what’s set to be one of the coldest mornings of the year so far. Transpower has urged New Zealanders to be “mindful of their electricity” use this morning, suggesting that heaters and lights are turned off where possible, appliances – like washing machines and dishwashers – aren’t used until after 9am, and devices like EVs are left off charge. Transpower’s Chantelle Bramley spoke more about the possible outage with Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis-Allan last night.
Is anyone to blame?
Energy minister Simeon Brown certainly believes so. He said the government had inherited an “energy system which is in crisis”, reported Stuff. It sparked a war of words between the two major parties, as The Post reported, with Labour’s Megan Woods rejecting her party had anything to do with today’s possible power outages – and said it had nothing to do with the former government’s decision to not to issue new offshore gas exploration permits in 2018. In a lengthy interview with RNZ’s Nine to Noon last year, Woods, while still a minister, discussed the problems facing the energy sector. This isn’t the first time New Zealand has faced grid emergencies, with a major power outage in August 2021 ultimately resulting in a $150,000 fine for Transpower.
‘More coal will be needed to keep the lights on’
The issue of power more broadly has been in the news quite a lot this week. On Wednesday, a joint statement from Brown and resources minister Shane Jones noted that low gas production could mean “more coal will be needed to keep the lights on”. Brown told parliament that the government was committed to “returning investment confidence in the natural gas sector”. Megan Woods defended the last government’s actions, saying New Zealand must transition away from gas. Richard Harman has written more about this over on Politik(paywalled). Meanwhile, iwi in south Taranaki met with Jones to discuss the possible removal of the oil and gas exploration ban, the Whanganui Chronicle reported. National, Act and New Zealand First all campaigned on repealing the 2018 ban, as this piece from Newsroom’s Marc Daalder examined.
It’s going to be a cold day
As I sit in my dressing gown on a chilly Auckland morning, I’m sparing a thought for those in much colder parts of the country. At 5.30am, Christchurch, Twizel and Mt Cook Airport were down around -6.4C, reported the Herald. Alexandra was at -5C, while parts of North Island have also dropped below zero, including Taumarunui at -4.6C. Here in Tāmaki Makaurau, it’s a comparably balmy 3C. The latest on the situation, as I’ve just heard on RNZ’s Morning Report, is that it’s a colder than expected day in the North Island and Transpower has warned blackouts could still not be ruled out (though there haven’t been any so far). Keep warm wherever you are.
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Climate change knows ‘no partisan politics’
A timely announcement given all the talk of electricity. Parliament has agreed to a cross-party approach to climate adaptation, RNZ’s Kate Newton reported this morning. MPs from all parliaments will investigate how New Zealand can prepare for the effects of climate change. The multi-party inquiry will be led by the finance and expenditure committee and report back this September, with legislation to follow next year. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate continues to change,” climate change minister Simon Watts said. Labour’s Megan Woods said that climate change, and the wild and weird weather it brings, “know no partisan politics… so it makes sense to support work on adaptation across the House”. The Greens, who this week unveiled a long-awaited portfolio shuffle, with Chlöe Swarbrick picking up the climate portfolio from the departed James Shaw, also welcomed the inquiry.
‘Big speech’ teases details of Budget 2024
On the British podcast The Rest is Politics this week, co-host Alastair Campbell bemoaned the fact that few politicians these days give “big speeches”. Closer to home, former MP Richard Prebble made the same case in his column for the Herald (paywalled). And this week, a “big speech” from the finance minister Nicola Willis, who laid out further details about Budget 2024 yesterday morning. RNZ’s Jo Moir has a comprehensive explainer of what was announced, while Interest’s Dan Brunskill takes a closer look at the particularly difficult financial circumstances the government is facing. One key pillar of Willis’s speech from yesterday, as Newsroom’s Emma Hatton reported, was confirmation the government had achieved its $1.5bn of cuts across the public sector. But the cuts haven’t stopped, with RNZ reporting that ACC has revealed a proposal to get rid of 390 roles, which would equate to a 9% reduction in its workforce.
One area unlikely to get a cut, as we discussed earlier in the week, is defence. The Post reported a “modest investment” is coming in the budget. It’s expected defence minister Judith Collins will make an announcement today.
When the Facts Change: How many lives is that tax cut worth?
New research reveals the repeal of smokefree measures is not only bad for our health, but also the economy. A new episode of When the Facts Change is out now, wherever you get your pods.
Click and Collect
Last month, I proudly reported that Olivia Rodrigo looked likely to announce a New Zealand concert. Yesterday, I was brutally knocked back as we were left off the Australian leg of the Guts World Tour. Why do pop stars keep snubbing us?
Newshub’s outgoing newsreader Mike McRoberts has a new gig lined up for once the outlet wraps up in July, reports the Herald’s Media Insider Shayne Currie (paywalled).
A new ad from Apple has provoked quite a response online after showing the company “trash-compact human culture”.
An exceptional headline and hook from Vanity Fair: “RFK Jr.'s campaign says the worm that ate part of his brain will not affect his ability to serve as president.” Just incredible.
The Spinoff is looking for a new staff writer – could it be you?
Madeleine Chapman reports that two senior publishers have been axed at Penguin Random House amid a major restructure. Author Rebecca K. Reilly explains what the Ockham awards actually are. Ashok Jacob and Finn Cordwell argue that selling Wellington Airport shares would be colossally careless. Anna Rawhiti-Connell would like to watch the horny tennis movie Challengers at a reasonable time. Hera Lindsay Bird advises a reader concerned that a friend's compliments of their other mate are designed to terrorise her. And Joel MacManus declares that Wellington's new District Plan can be the path forward out of the city's malaise.
Week one down, thanks for reading. I’ll be back on Monday – stay warm!
Got some feedback about The Bulletin, or anything in the news? Get in touch with me at thebulletin@thespinoff.co.nz.
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Hi team, interesting part of the Transpower request I received. I got an email and a text from Transpower. Interesting part is somehow Transpower has my name, email address and cell phone number. I am not a customer of Transpower. My power supplier is Ecotricity.
So how does Transpower have my information?
Rgds Andrew
It would be a good thing if those who unthinkingly use whatever power & heating they can easily afford, would also install solar panels & battery storage to minimise their draw-down from the national grid, because they could afford to do it if they chose. Personally, VERY low power user but also have a backup solar battery for emergencies & camping, which means I can be warm & cook off-grid allowing people with young children, people who are not well etc. to keep the heating going as priority users if necessary. It has been a bugbear of mine for many years that NEW HOUSING is not required to have grid-tied solar panels as part of their building consent - whether paid for by the buyer or by the power companies under a lease arrangement or whatever. Especially in areas with good sunshine hours.