Latest news with #PioneerEnergy
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
A handy, shocking guide to avoiding electrocution
I have never had much interest in motor cars and consequently I've never been much of a driver, so I'm used to passengers closing their eyes, sharply drawing in their breath or even praying. This last is unacceptable and I have to ask them to put the rosary beads away as the clicking noise interferes with concentration. "Didn't you see that sheep in the middle of the road?" and "Boy, that power pole was close!" are comments I shrug off with, "Perhaps I need break. Would you like to drive for a while?" An invitation always accepted, often with what sounds like a passenger's sigh of relief. Thankfully, I've never hit a power pole although many drivers have. In my research into the topic, I find the pioneer in this activity was an Ashburton farmer called Hugh Keenan who, way back in 1931, after a drink or two, hit a pole at Willowby and was fined £20 (close to $3000 today) and his licence was cancelled for two years. Enough to make you very wary of power poles, but I suspect it was the drinking which brought about Hugh's heavy penalty. At least, the pole was uninjured. In more recent times, with thousands more motorists and tens of thousands more power poles, such collisions are common and, in some cases, the pole is downed and live wires present a danger. That's when things get serious and explains why Aurora Energy is running a safety campaign aimed at those who drive into power poles. My power isn't supplied by Aurora — Pioneer Energy does it — but I guess power poles behave much the same way in Maniototo as they do in other parts of Otago. If you've crashed into one, you've crashed into them all. Aurora's safety advice sets out exactly what you should do after hitting a power pole. "Call 111 and stay in the vehicle" heads the list. I know they don't mean "call out 111" which would be no use miles from any listeners apart from a few disinterested sheep. They mean make a phone call, but I've never had a phone on my person so calling 111 is out of the question. Staying in the car waiting for help to arrive on a rarely used rural back road is a fairly defeatist option. Probably safe, though, as Aurora explained, "electricity travels through the ground and your rubber tyres will help you avoid getting an electric shock". If there's very little rubber left on your tyres, then you're in big trouble. On a cheerful note, Aurora adds: "If your vehicle is on fire, open the door and jump clear." Pretty straightforward and something you probably thought of, anyway. But remember, says the ad, "to keep your feet together to stop your body becoming a conductor". No problem for an Olympic gymnast but a challenge to an elderly man. Easier, though, to "not touch the outside of your vehicle". This prevents a possible electric shock. "Remain on your feet" is a doddle but "shuffle or hop until you are at least 10m away" looks like a challenge. Shuffling and hopping are skills to be learned and not easy to pick up in an unexpected emergency. Perhaps classes on hopping should be run by Aurora to get us up to speed. Of course, once they hear about your mishap, Aurora "will switch the power off as soon as possible". It may take a while in my case. With no phone there's been a long trudge to the nearest farmhouse where the entire family has taken off to town for a few days shopping. Their neighbours are home and make the phone call but by then dozens of other country households are flailing around looking for candles to survive this sudden loss of power. Aurora are to be commended for taking the trouble to keep us safe. Their message may also encourage drivers to be more diligent in avoiding power poles. They will, of course, have to live with the anger of outraged consumers who are offended by the ad's illustration. It shows a suitably terrified driver approaching disaster. Something like a poster for a horror movie. Sadly, power poles will be always with us, given the cost of putting lines underground, and for dodgy drivers they will always pose a threat, leaping out in front of you as they sometimes do. Perhaps my licence needs to be endorsed: "Valid only in areas where power and phone lines are underground." That would make things safer but would restrict me to places like main streets and touristy places where I don't actually want to go. — Jim Sullivan is a Patearoa writer.
Otago Daily Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: Trump, Monowai and Gaza
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including Trumpian tactics in NZ politics, an alternative viewpoint on Monowai, and Israel's aid blockade on Gaza. Trumpian tactics and our current managers In which perverse world would any right-minded person consider that following the example of governance pursued by Trump in America is an acceptable strategy? We now have, for the first time in New Zealand, a director-general of health who has no expertise in the promotion and distribution of practical health care, nor its ethical application to every individual. Since when has the absence of the appropriate professional qualification been the laudable primary driver in the delivery of the health practices beneficial to the public health of the nation? In parallel, why has the Minister for Sciences — a tax lawyer — been allowed to dictate the curricula of our universities? To reinforce that capricious and misguided directive she has slashed one source of essential funding, the Marsden Fund. Perhaps some of the wealthy citizens would favour the adoption of the Trumpian tactics which have so degraded American society We have a prime minister who is indulging in a protracted OE, to escape the obligation of personal accountability that comes with his office — that is, questions from the media, delegating his responsibility to a surrogate, would-be next PM, Chris Bishop. Our Minister of Finance has an undergraduate degree in English Literature. Shouldn't that appointment have met with the disapproval of our Minister of Sciences? Why suddenly is there no national standard in education that our young children must meet to later, get gainful employment? Our population is far too small for this variability to enhance our productivity. Are our teachers being bribed into acceptance with free registration? [Abridged: length. Editor.] The plan works Re Assoc Prof Earl Bardsley's letter (1.5.25) offering an alternative viewpoint on the 100-year anniversary of Pioneer Energy's Lake Monowai Power Station, it is appropriate to recognise the scheme is part of the existing environment. Whilst Pioneer Energy operate the scheme, the Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau has oversight to ensure the lake mimics natural variation as it had prior to the scheme's construction. It is simply not credible to remove the power scheme as suggested by Prof Bardsley and reinstate the lake to its natural condition. The scheme has been in place for 100 years and plant communities along the shoreline gradient are now beginning to reflect what would have existed along the former shoreline prior to the scheme's introduction. The scheme provides a credible addition to Southland's renewable energy supply and Pioneer has the support of the Guardians in the work they do managing Lake Monowai. Chairman, Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau Blame the parents The parents of the kids stealing cars should be held responsible for paying for the damages. Hear hear Thank you Joan Bishop (Fresh ODT 30.4.25). Your recipes have stood the test of time over many decades. They have been adapted for classroom use and appreciated by family and friends who continue to enjoy tasty treats via Joan's numerous recipe books and former copies kept from the ODT 's Southern Kitchen column. Unless receiving independent media using on-the-ground reportage you may not know the full impact of Israel's aid blockade of Gaza since March 18. Where is our government's outrage at this in-plain-sight collective punishment, against both Geneva Convention and international law? During the present parliamentary recess our MPs have down-time to consider arguments for and against stronger action, and whether or not to support a long-overdue parliamentary debate about our foreign policy on this issue. Seldom has our independent foreign policy been more under threat – and independent thought more called for. Chloe Swarbrick's illegal occupation sanctions Bill needs six persons of informed conscience to make this happen, under Standing Order 288 allowing all MPs to indicate their support for member's Bills. Only such a debate will expose to scrutiny double standards of backing sanctions against Russia – while Israel's illegal occupation and "all-are-Hamas" permissive overkill go unchecked. Surely international law is precisely in smaller nations' national interest. Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Otago Daily Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Monowai's electrifying 100 years
One of New Zealand's earliest renewable energy assets and Southland's first power station will turn 100 years old this week. The Monowai hydro station has played a vital role in powering Southland and supporting the wider New Zealand electricity network. While celebrating the milestone, stakeholders were looking into challenges to keep the asset operating for the future, so it could keep providing "clean, sustainable energy". Nestled at the confluence of the Monowai and Waiau rivers, the scheme was first investigated in 1919 by the Southland Electric Power Board and two years later — in February 1921 — construction of the station started. On May 1, 1925, the asset was officially opened with two machines, and a third one was commissioned in 1927. About a decade later, in 1936, the government bought the station and in 1939 it was connected to the national power grid. Pioneer Energy bought the scheme in 2002 and its chief executive Peter McClean said the asset was vital for Southland's development because it was the primary source of electricity for many years. "It's not just a power station — it's a part of the region's identity and history. "For the Southland community, Monowai represents innovation, resilience, and the power of working together." He said they were "incredibly proud" to celebrate a century of operation of the plant, because it was such a big achievement. The water from Lake Monowai — which covers 31sq km — flowed through a carefully engineered system of canals, pipelines, penstocks and a fish pass which ensured not only power generation, but also supported local ecology, he said. "The station's design reflects a blend of history and innovation, with manual gates and public easements still in place alongside modern control systems. "Reaching 100 years of continuous operation is a testament to the foresight of those who built Monowai, the generations of skilled people who have maintained and improved it and the community that has supported it." Mr McClean believed the future of the asset would remain strong as the power station remained an important part of the company's renewable portfolio and they were committed to maintaining it amid challenges to its ageing infrastructure. "With ongoing investment, innovation, and care, we're confident it will continue to play a role in New Zealand's renewable energy future." Guardians of the Lake chairman Darryl Sycamore agreed about the long-term future of the asset. The Guardians oversaw the management of Lake Monowai in terms of lake levels and drawdown. "This is to help maintain natural variation to support the shoreline plant communities which rely on inundation and dry conditions to support their reproductive cycles and maintain community zonation patterns." He said 100 years of operation was a huge achievement and Pioneer should be proud of the way they managed the scheme within Fiordland National Park. "The Monowai Scheme provided a locally significant contribution to Southland's growth. "With increasing energy demand, the local coal-powered stations could not meet demand. "The additional generation enabled the primary sector to thrive. "There is [still] a strong push to increase renewable energy production, so the future of the station remains bright." On Thursday, Pioneer Energy will be hosting an event to celebrate the milestone. The Southland community is invited to take part from 10am at the Monowai lookout. The event would include speeches, the unveiling of a plaque to celebrate the anniversary and a facility tour. Mr McClean said this would be a great opportunity for people to learn more about the past, present and future of an important asset for the region. "It's about celebrating the people behind Monowai as much as the station itself. "We hope the event offers a moment of pride for the region and helps deepen the connection between the station and the community it has served for generations."
