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Substation break-ins endangering lives, causing power cuts, says Northland lines company
Substation break-ins endangering lives, causing power cuts, says Northland lines company

RNZ News

timea minute ago

  • RNZ News

Substation break-ins endangering lives, causing power cuts, says Northland lines company

File photo. Photo: 123RF A Northland lines company says substation break-ins are endangering lives and causing power cuts affecting thousands of people. Top Energy chief executive Russell Shaw said he was shocked by what he described as the offenders' "astonishing recklessness" and "absolute stupidity". In the most recent break-in, thieves took essential equipment from a substation and forced a power shutdown that left 4500 Far North homes in the dark. Shaw said the thieves also sabotaged a high-voltage earth connection, putting themselves - and any staff working at the substation afterwards - at serious risk of electrocution. In another break-in, thieves damaged generators and made them unusable just before a major storm hit. Shaw said backup generators were vital for keeping the power on while storm damage was repaired. He said interfering with electrical equipment could trigger widespread outages, affecting homes, businesses and essential services. His message for would-be thieves was simple: "Don't do it. You're jeopardising your life and those of others. It's not worth it." Shaw said the company was beefing up security at its substations across the Far North. He said they were high-voltage facilities that could cause serious injury or death to anyone who entered without proper training and protective gear. He urged anyone who saw suspicious activity near Top Energy substations or other electricity infrastructure to call the police immediately, or the company on 0800 867 363. Under the Crimes Act, the maximum penalty for sabotage of essential infrastructure is 10 years' imprisonment. Top Energy would not say which substations had been targeted for fear of causing deadly copycat break-ins. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

A big, new Waikato butter factory isn't expected to cut prices
A big, new Waikato butter factory isn't expected to cut prices

RNZ News

timea minute ago

  • Business
  • RNZ News

A big, new Waikato butter factory isn't expected to cut prices

File photo. Photo: Sorin Gheorghita for Unsplash The country's newest butter plant is not expected to lower soaring prices at the supermarket checkout. Open Country Dairy is spreading into the butter market, with the new plant in Matamata on track to open in two months' time. The country's second largest milk processor will export its product to North America, Japan, South East Asia, the Middle East, the UK and Europe. Chief executive Mark de Lautour said around 20,000 tonnes of butter each year will be sold to the global market. "We're selling it globally and that's where the best returns are rather than the domestic market," he said. "Globally there is huge demand and huge value put on natural fats around the world at the moment." He said while it's unfortunate consumers locally are paying the high global price, there is a spin off for the country's trade. "The good thing is that export earnings for New Zealand are increasing because of it." Open Country's new plant is located at its Waharoa site beside its existing cheese factory. Half of the butter produced will be in small retail packets and the other half will be bulk 25kg cartons for commercial use. "The plant is commissioning now and we're looking to make our first commercial butter this week really from the plant," he said. "The official opening is going to be in a couple of of months when everything is settled. "There's a large number of people in white clothing running around learning to use the new equipment." The downstream impact of the capital investment will also see new jobs in the cool store and on the distribution side of the supply chain. Stats NZ showed a 500 gram block of butter now costs $8.60, up 46 percent in just the past year. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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