Growing affordability concerns over power and housing

Electricity affordability a rising concern for households and small businesses, despite falling generation costs for solar & wind; Brutal housing costs forcing more 19-29 year olds to stay home longer

TL;DR: Electricity affordability is a growing concern for households and small businesses, despite falling generation costs for solar and wind, a survey has found.

Meanwhile, Stats NZ is forecasting more than a third of 19-29 year olds will stay living at home within the next two decades, no doubt because of brutal housing costs to live on their own.

Briefly in the news elsewhere:

1. 1News’ Kantar poll taken from June 15-19 showed support for the National-ACT-NZ First coalition rose a combined four percentage points since its April poll to 51%, while combined support for the Labour-Green-TPM opposition fell three points to 45%;

2. A special question on the May 30 Budget in the 1News’ Kantar poll found 73% believed they would either be worse off or no better off because of the Budget’s measures;

3. The 1News’ Kantar poll also found support for Christopher Luxon as preferred PM was flat at 23%, while Chris Hipkins’ support rose two points to 18%;

4. Luxon said to 1News: “I just say to you, I think I’m not worried about your poll or any poll, frankly,”;

5. One third of budgeting services face closure because of Government funding cuts, RNZ’s Amy Williams reported yesterday; and,

6. Wellington has just one MRI scanner, causing waits of up to two and a half years, and Te Whatu Ora has no plans to add more MRIs in Wellington, RNZ’s Jimmy Ellingham reported last night.

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Six things of note this morning

1. Power costs a growing concern

Transpower pylon (upstanding). Photo: supplied.