My Account
Insulation rip off
Your article about Wellsford residents being scammed by insulation companies saved us a lot of money this month (MM August 7). We were booked in to have our insulation installed, two days after reading your article, by a certain company that, like in your story, told us we would get a 15 per cent government subsidy. We were first approached by them with an offer to put us into a draw to win $500 of free fuel. After reading your article, we quickly did some digging and found the figures didn’t add up … $2500 just for underfloor insulation for 80 square metres? Sounded good at first, until we realised it should only cost us around $500. We rang the company and quickly cancelled after confronting them about the costs and the fact that they are not government associated and so can’t give us the subsidy. And even if they were, we should be getting a discount of two-thirds, not a measly 15 per cent. They sounded as though caught with their pants down. How many others have they ripped off? Two days away from losing $2000 … your article saved our bacon. Hopefully it saves some others, too.
R Brown, Warkworth
Council responds
In response to “Board fires broadside at Council over disaster recovery plan” (MM August 7)
The welfare of our communities, during and after an emergency, is a top priority for the Council’s Auckland Emergency Management (AEM). Increasing awareness of the hazards surrounding us, encouraging emergency preparedness and building stronger communities able to care for each other during an emergency is an important part of our work.
Over the past two and a half years we’ve been working with community groups across Rodney, supporting them to be better prepared for a possible emergency. There are a vast range of initiatives across the board that we have coordinated, including Pathways to Preparedness which focusses on recovery from disasters. During 2019, AEM and Amateur Radio Emergency Communications provided updated radio units and radio training for groups in east Rodney. This enables community groups to talk to and support each during an emergency and also to communicate back to AEM any welfare needs they are unable to provide. Earlier this year, members of the East Rodney community participated in a simulated exercise at the AEM Emergency Control Centre to deepen their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of AEM, first responder agencies and the community. We actively work with 11 community groups across East Rodney to support them in resilience building and community-led emergency response activities. We’ve provided funding for community events that encourage social interaction and conversations about emergency preparedness, such as the annual Neighbours Day and Warkworth’s Kowhai Festival. In partnership with local boards, local community groups and local organisations like Neighbourhood Support, more community resilience plans are being developed. These plans include advice for understanding the resources of your community, planning how best to look after each other and how to be self-sufficient in an emergency. By planning for the impacts of disasters, you can look after yourself and your loved ones. Visit aucklandemergencymanagement.org.nz or getready.govt.nz to find out how to make a plan and view hazards in your area.
Sarah Sinclair, Auckland Council Acting Director of Auckland Emergency Management
Good Samaritan
On July 22, a violent domestic incident occurred at the end of Hauiti Drive, Warkworth. My daughter was the victim. An elderly gentleman who was walking past witnessed the event and tried to verbally stop it, only to be verbally abused himself by my daughter’s partner. During those few seconds of distraction, my daughter was able to alert police who arrived within minutes. As I do not know who this kind man is, I would like to give him my sincerest gratitude of appreciation and thanks, because if he had not intervened my daughter may not be here today. After years of violent and mental abuse my daughter was finally able to break free and, with the support of family, friends, police, Hestia Rodney Women’s Refuge and the community, she will be okay. Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing what you did.
D. Rees, Snells Beach
Beef over bake off
I read with interest your article “Oaks Café scones are tops” (MM July 17) regarding the Great Warkworth Scone Bake Off. But why only cafes in the Warkworth township? After a serious stint in hospital, I developed a passion for scones (and chowder). On discharge, I made it my business to try scones in every café and restaurant in Warkworth; the wider Warkworth that is. Chairs at Snells Beach came out on top by a significant margin. They make the very best cheese scones (and seafood chowder) in the entire Warkworth district. But I see that they were not one of the nine cafes invited to take part in the competition on July 6. Since Snells Beach and Algies Bay are definitely part of Warkworth, then I would suggest that we are all inclusive if we are to claim that we have identified the very best of anything in Warkworth
Louise Nicholson, Snells Beach
One Warkworth communications executive Rachel Callander responds: Initiated by an enthusiastic volunteer in his own time, the Great Scone bake-off (supported by One Warkworth) is in its infancy, but if it continues to be so successful, we would love to have others participating in the future. We also welcome anyone who would like to volunteer to help make it a success.
