Is electricity a basic human right or a commodity to be paid for?
==Poll Outcome==
Basic Right – 37%
Commodity – 63%
This is a question that really illustrates the divide between the different sides of the political spectrum. While most New Zealanders expect a high level of service from their electricity supplier at a relatively low cost, the result of the United Future poll shows that nearly two-thirds of people accept that electricity is a commodity rather than a basic human right. In saying that, while 100 years ago electricity could be considered a luxury in the household, we, in the developed world have become so reliant on it for heating, lighting and cooking it could be argued that electricity has become a basic human right.
There are those who advocate that there is no need and it is in fact duplicitous for power companies to make a profit. Power companies should exist to provide cost-price electricity for New Zealanders in an efficient and environmentally sound manner.
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