Survey: More NZers Have Emergency Supplies at the Ready

Media Release Embargoed until 1am, 8 May 2014

Survey: More NZers Have Emergency Supplies at the Ready

But Aucklanders are least prepared

Auckland, 08 May 2014 – More New Zealanders are prepared with emergency supplies according to a new survey from Canstar Blue.

The nationwide electricity retailers’ customer satisfaction survey showed nearly 60 per cent of Kiwis are prepared if the power was to go out for a long period of time, an increase of nearly 10 per cent on the year before[1].

After earthquakes, floods and storms New Zealanders are more prepared than ever for natural disaster, says Derek Bonnar, Canstar New Zealand General Manager.

“Across the age groups and in every region, a large number of our population have their emergency supplies at the ready. They know if the power is out for a long period of time that they are prepared.

“But there is more that could be done. Of concern is the group that is unprepared. Aucklanders are the least prepared, with only 43 per cent taking the time to ready themselves - if services like power were disrupted for any length of time - and get supplies in.

“It’s surprising when you consider the adverse weather events and natural disasters that have affected our country that there is still a sizeable minority that haven’t heeded the message to get ready.

“More than a quarter of Cantabrians, who have had the most to contend with in recent years, are not prepared if the power was to go out for a long period of time,” says Bonnar.

Regional preparedness:

Survey question: I am prepared with emergency supplies if the power was to go out for a long period of time.

RegionPercentageSurvey result – all of New Zealand

58Auckland43Waikato55Bay of Plenty53Wellington65Canterbury71Otago59

For more information on how to prepare and what to do before, during and after emergencies go to: www.getthru.govt.nz

Looking into our retail electricity habits, switching behaviour appears to be largely flat, with 16 per cent saying they had switched providers in the past 12 months, compared to 17 per cent in 2013. Nearly 30 per cent (this year) had thought about switching, and not done anything about it and fewer people had used an online tool to compare plans and providers.

Powershop, an online provider and subsidiary of Meridian Energy again topped the survey for overall satisfaction, says Bonnar.

“Powershop earned five star ratings in every category and was the only provider to achieve five stars. The company has a refreshing approach that is winning customers – more than 50,000 at last count.”

The survey asked respondents electricity account holders to rate their provider across seven different criteria:

1. Value for money

2. Uninterrupted supply

3. Availability of payment plan options

4. Service

5. Billing

6. Information/advice about using electricity efficiently to save money

7. Overall satisfaction

About the survey

Canstar Blue commissions Colmar Brunton using the SSI Panel to regularly survey 2,500 New Zealand consumers to measure their satisfaction across a range of products and services. The outcomes reported here are from 1,985 people within the survey group who have an electricity account and pay the electricity bills. This survey has a margin of error of +/- 2.2%

Age Groups:

Gen Y: 18-29

Gen X: 30-44

Baby Boomers: 45+

*To view the full results of the Canstar Blue survey go to: www.canstarblue.co.nz

[1] I am prepared with emergency supplies if the power was to go out for a long period of time: 2013: 53%, 2014: 58%

ENDS

About Canstar Blue:

Canstar Blue is a division of financial research and ratings company, CANSTAR, which has been operating in New Zealand for nearly a decade.

Canstar Blue uses market research to determine customer satisfaction ratings across a range of products and services in New Zealand to help consumers make the best purchasing decisions for their needs. Canstar Blue conducts similar research in Australia. New ratings are added regularly. Results are freely available to consumers who are encouraged to use the ratings as a guide to product excellence. The results can be seen at www.canstarblue.co.nz.

About CANSTAR:

Founded in 1992, CANSTAR Pty Limited is Australia and New Zealand's premier researcher of retail finance information for over 350 institutions such as banks, building societies, credit unions, finance companies, brokers, mortgage originators, life companies and finance related internet portals. CANSTAR customers use the extensive database for competitor analysis as well as a means of disseminating their product range. This information is also distributed to print and electronic media for publication and to agents, accountants, brokers and internet portals for use in advising their clients.