Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:646;Page:15602] 
Hon LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (Minister of Pacific Island Affairs) 
: 
 Kia ora talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings. I rise to speak in support of the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill. I rise also to honour a mother wife daughter sister auntie cousin and friend—a woman of the Pacific. Folole Muliaga was a 44-year-old mother of four children. She worked as a preschool teacher at the local aoga amata—Samoan preschool—and she cared for her community. She was working hard to provide for her family. She was also studying to further educate herself. 
Like many Pacific Islanders Mr and Mrs Muliaga left their homes families and country to come to New Zealand in order to provide their children with education and opportunity. They worked very hard so that they would be able to succeed. Mrs Muliaga and her husband were low-income earners living in Mangere and were working hard to stay on top of their finances. This became even more difficult when Mrs Muliaga was hospitalised and the family got behind in paying their power bill. 
As members of Parliament it is a story that we have heard before from our constituents. As a Labour-led Government we have worked hard to ensure that those who need it most are supported especially when times are tough. Numerous policies are aimed at families like the Muliagas such as Working for Families increases to the minimum wage income-related rents and cheaper doctors’ visits—the list goes on and on. None of us expected that the tragic circumstances around Mrs Muliaga’s death could ever happen in New Zealand. As we know she was using an electrically powered oxygen machine when her family’s power was disconnected because of an overdue account. 
Her death was unnecessary and terribly saddening and it shocked us as a nation. I will never forget the tears of sadness when together with the Prime Minister the Rt Hon Helen Clark some of us visited the Muliaga family. There is a Samoan proverb that goes like this: “Ua tagi le fatu ma le eleele”—the stones and the earth wept. The expression designates great sorrow at the death of a loved one. “A ua toe fa’e’e le manuia ma le filemu tumau”—after the event peace and tranquillity prevail. 
The way the Muliaga family have dealt with the death of their loved one illustrates to all New Zealanders the spirit of forgiveness and the humanity of how Pacific people can deal with tragedy leading to healing and reconciliation. The contractor who cut the power and the electricity provider Mercury Energy and Mighty River Power were invited by the family to Mrs Muliaga’s funeral. The family said they had only love for the contractor not hate. That kindness and alofa is extremely admirable and inspirational. I am not sure that many of us could say that we would be so forgiving if we lost a much-loved mother and wife in these kinds of circumstances. 
Since this tragedy the Electricity Commission has worked with electricity retailers Government departments and community organisations to develop guidelines for dealing with disconnections for low-income and vulnerable consumers. These guidelines ensure that regulations are in place to protect vulnerable consumers and those reliant on electricity for medical equipment to maintain life. This bill ensures— 
Hon Mark Burton 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I apologise to my colleague but frankly for Mr Clarkson to yell out for the fourth time “Pay your bills.” in the circumstances in which the member is speaking is callous heartless and offensive. I take deep personal offence at his behaviour. I ask that the member be asked to withdraw and apologise and to desist from that shameful behaviour. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Marian Hobbs) 
: The member takes offence. 
Bob Clarkson 
: Sorry that’s his problem. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Marian Hobbs) 
: I am sorry you are being asked to withdraw and apologise. That is the custom. 
Bob Clarkson 
: I’ll leave the Chamber Madam Assistant Speaker. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Marian Hobbs) 
: That means that you cannot come back unless you withdraw and apologise. 
Hon LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN 
: These guidelines ensure that regulations are in place to protect vulnerable consumers and those reliant on electricity for medical equipment to maintain life. This bill ensures that the Government can regulate the content of those regulations if electricity retailers do not adhere to them voluntarily. I am pleased to hear that electricity retailers have taken this issue very seriously and have been voluntarily implementing practices for their vulnerable and medically dependent consumers. I am told that in communities like Mangere these guidelines are already making a real difference. 
Ensuring that we take social responsibility for our vulnerable or disadvantaged whether it be because of age health disability income culture or language is vital for all members of our community and our society. Strong communities and cultures are building blocks for nationhood and our identity as New Zealanders. We all have a role to play. 
As a proud New Zealand - born Samoan I know that my community is based on families and extended families. The Samoan words are “aiga” and “aigapotopoto”. Many other Pacific Island communities are based on similar values as well. In turn our community is based on the Samoan values of alofa fa’aaloalo and agaga—love respect reciprocity and spirituality—which are important values to live by and to base communities on. 
The circumstances of Mrs Muliaga’s death have highlighted that we need to ensure that our Government agencies community providers and electricity retailers are connecting with all of our grassroots communities. We need to work together to ensure that help and assistance are reaching those in our community they are designed to reach. Information needs to be accessible and available and our people need to be encouraged to seek help when they need it. 
This bill is a result of our Government taking this issue very seriously protecting our disadvantaged and ensuring the well-being of all of our families and children in New Zealand. I am very proud to be part of a Labour-led Government that encourages protection for some of the most vulnerable in New Zealand society. Labour will always go in to bat for those who are struggling and in need. 
As I support this bill in its third reading I and we all remember Folole Muliaga. I think of her children and husband extended family and community who have lost so much. I hope that this legislation ensures that a tragedy like this never happens again. Fa’afetai tele lava.