Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS) header
Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS) profile picture

Kimberley O'Sullivan

@DrKimOS

Researcher exploring #energypoverty, housing, and energy use through a public health lens. Mixed methods, participatory, qual. she/her RTs ≠ endorsement

Joined April 2016
  • Tweets365
  • Following299
  • Followers383
18Media
Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)Photo by Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)
Great decision by Contact Energy to drop disconnection & reconnection fees that hurt households experiencing energy hardship nzherald.co.nz/nz/power-to-t…
Contact Energy pulls the plug on reconnection, disconnection fees

Contact Energy pulls the plug on reconnection, disconnection fees

'A compassionate step that will make a tangible difference.'

nzherald.co.nz
2
56
Dropping insulation standards from current levels (which are well below requirements in other countries) will increase future energy poverty risk
Public Health Communication Centre (@PHCCAotearoa) profile picturePublic Health Communication Centre@PHCCAotearoa28 Jul 2024
Any rollback of our insulation standards will cost industry, energy savings and our health according to public health researchers. @LucyTelBar and coauthors lay out the evidence. phcc.org.nz/briefing/new-zea…
New Zealand’s hard-won improvements to our Building Code must be retained: Here’s why

New Zealand’s hard-won improvements to our Building Code must be retained: Here’s why

Any rollback of our insulation standards will cost industry, energy savings and our health. Evidence shows the health and social benefits of insulation are nearly six times greater than the costs.

phcc.org.nz
4
3
261
Thanks for your mahi Kirsty Wynn, with @nzherald's series Power to the People, drawing attention to the lived experience of energy hardship in Aotearoa: Grandmother says house so cold and damp mokopuna’s teeth are chattering nzherald.co.nz/nz/power-to-t…
Grandson's 'teeth are chattering' in cold house as grandma has to choose between food or power

Grandson's 'teeth are chattering' in cold house as grandma has to choose between food or power

The woman chooses a warm meal over a warm house and says she can never have both.

nzherald.co.nz
2
59
Great writing from some of our @HeKaingaOranga team @publichealthUOW this morning @TheSpinoffTV explaining 'how no-cause evictions make a farce of healthy homes standards' thespinoff.co.nz/society/15-…
How no-cause evictions make a farce of healthy homes standards | The Spinoff

How no-cause evictions make a farce of healthy homes standards | The Spinoff

Amid a rental shortage, the increased threat of eviction will make tenants think twice before complaining to their landlord.

thespinoff.co.nz
2
53
Energy poverty has range of causes - eg housing inefficiency, electricity price & payment plans, needs. People manage differently - stay cold & get sick, use heating & go into debt, keep lights on & go hungry. The number feeling cold at home 'a lot' underestimates the problem.
You’re unable to view this Post because this account owner limits who can view their Posts. Learn more
2
198
When all of the evidence points to increasing energy hardship it is not the time to stop trying to measure the number of households in Aotearoa NZ who are struggling to keep warm this winter thepost.co.nz/business/35032…
Energy hardship report hangs in the balance

Energy hardship report hangs in the balance

Concerns mount Government may stop tracking household ‘energy hardship’

thepost.co.nz
1
46
Kimberley O'Sullivan retweeted
He Kāinga Oranga (@HeKaingaOranga) profile picture
He Kāinga Oranga@HeKaingaOranga24 Aug 2023
Our resident energy poverty expert @DrKimOS was on @ThePanelRNZ yesterday chatting about expensive power bills: rnz.co.nz/national/programme…
The Panel with Ruth Money and Allan Blackman (Part 2)

The Panel with Ruth Money and Allan Blackman (Part 2)

Today on part two of The Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Ruth Money and Allan Blackman discuss the high numbers of people representing themselves in the family court and the issues arising due...

rnz.co.nz
1
126
Kimberley O'Sullivan retweeted
Kirsty Johnston (@kirsty_johnston) profile picture
Kirsty Johnston@kirsty_johnston1 Aug 2023
Stepped away from climate to write about my other obsession: cost of living. Power companies are disconnecting vulnerable people, then forcing them on to expensive prepay plans Meanwhile the CEOs of our four largest companies each earned $2m last year rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/4949…

Poverty-stricken households penalised with extra fees after their power is cut off

Poverty-stricken families who can't afford to pay for power are cut off, then charged an extra fee to add to their debt. Are electricity companies charging a premium for being poor?

rnz.co.nz
44
45
6
206
18,122
Kimberley O'Sullivan retweeted
He Kāinga Oranga (@HeKaingaOranga) profile picture
He Kāinga Oranga@HeKaingaOranga1 Aug 2023
"There's a real tension around using a market structure to provide an essential service - and electricity is essential, for protecting health" - @DrKimOS on energy poverty for @radionz Thanks @kirsty_johnston for your mahi! rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/4949…

Poverty-stricken households penalised with extra fees after their power is cut off

Poverty-stricken families who can't afford to pay for power are cut off, then charged an extra fee to add to their debt. Are electricity companies charging a premium for being poor?

rnz.co.nz
8
2
14
1,412
“There are lifelong consequences – but there’s no need for disconnection to cause this much hardship... You could alleviate a lot of these experiences with some simple changes.” @publichealthUOW's @DrKimOS on energy poverty thespinoff.co.nz/society/28-…
Why are New Zealand’s poorest punished for not being able to afford power? | The Spinoff

Why are New Zealand’s poorest punished for not being able to afford power? | The Spinoff

New Zealanders living in poverty often end up paying more for their electricity. A new campaign says it’s time for that to change.

thespinoff.co.nz
2
1
198
This morning I'm speaking at Common Grace Aotearoa's petition launch facebook.com/events/82877671… asking the Electricity Authority to 1) ban disconnection fees 2) end the 'penalty for prepay' 3) make consumer care mandatory for retailers. Join us everyoneconnectednz.com/

WGTN + ONLINE: Petition launch - Protect families struggling with...

Event in Wellington, New Zealand by Kate Day on Wednesday, July 26 2023

facebook.com
1
69
Ngā mihi @CACouncilNZ for commissioning this compelling report by FinCap showing again that current electricity consumer protections are insufficient: Consumers 'vulnerable to whims of power companies', even in a crisis stuff.co.nz/business/1325668…
1
4
142
It's gotten pretty cold across the motu, and since so many of our homes still only meet (or not) bare minimum standards the outside temperature has a huge influence on indoor temperatures: 'I'm cold, Mama': The NZers struggling to stay warm this winter 1news.co.nz/2023/07/04/im-co…
'I'm cold, Mama': The NZers struggling to stay warm this winter

'I'm cold, Mama': The NZers struggling to stay warm this winter

The heat pump is blasting, her daughter has five blankets, and Tala is wearing multiple layers – but it's still not enough to keep her and her daughter warm at night.

1news.co.nz
3
4
313
Our @HeKaingaOranga team @publichealthUOW supports a call from organisations representing consumers for the @ElectricityAuth to make Consumer Care Guidelines Mandatory tinyurl.com/MandatoryCCGuide… following their review showing many retailers do not comply @consumernz @CACouncilNZ
2
1
1
212
Our new @HeKaingaOranga @publichealthUOW survey explores experiences of summer heat at home among disabled persons, tāngata whaikaha Māori & those with long-term health conditions in Aotearoa NZ - if you can help, please find the survey here redcap.otago.ac.nz/surveys/?…
Image from Kimberley O'Sullivan (@DrKimOS)
3
7
6
943
Some of our kōrero with disability advocates suggests that opening windows is less possible for those with disabilities due to their housing situation or if the home they're living in isn't accessible. We are observing high indoor temperatures in NZ, so more research needed.
40
“Electricity is an essential service for keeping people healthy at home and we really can’t wait for another life or death situation before we get this right.” Listen to @DrKimOS (scroll to 25’40”) 95bFM 95bfm.com/bcast/the-wire-w-m…

The Wire w/ Milly : May 16, 2023

Welcome to the Tuesday Wire! This week on the show: The comedy special of Dear Science with Joel Rindelaub Beth Speaks to Kimberly O'Sullivan on the Consumer Care Guidelines Milly has her weekly...

95bfm.com
1
2
1
184
Making consumer care guidelines for electricity retailers mandatory could save lives. Read our latest Briefing from @DrKimOS @LucyTelBar phcc.org.nz/briefing/consume…

Consumer Care Guidelines for electricity retailers must be mandatory

The Electricity Authority must make Consumer Care Guidelines mandatory to protect health and lives.

phcc.org.nz
1
536
Almost a quarter of Medically Dependent Consumers who rely on electricity at home for their medical needs are not being protected by consumer care guidelines and that needs to change according to public health academic @DrKimOS phcc.org.nz/briefing/consume…

Consumer Care Guidelines for electricity retailers must be mandatory

The Electricity Authority must make Consumer Care Guidelines mandatory to protect health and lives.

phcc.org.nz
5
5
320
Load more