Media release
 
Newmarket Business Association
 
Monday 25 January 2010
 
 
Power cut takes out half of Newmarket businesses
 
"Half of Newmarket businesses lost power around 4.45pm this evening. Fortunately it's at the end of the day, but it does nothing to inspire confidence about the security of electricity supply into Auckland. It's hard running a business like this," says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association. 
 
"Power cuts seem to have become a regular event in Auckland and it's fast becoming beyond a joke. Let's hope we don't have a blackout one during the last week of the Rugby World Cup next year. Imagine what the rest of the world would think of us. Given they're late night games to be played under lights, I hope Eden Park will have generators as back-up. Thankfully Auckland hasn't yet got electric trains!
 
"It's not just about losing business, it's about Auckland's reputation as aspiring international city.
 
"The Remuera side of Broadway lost power while the Westfield 277 side was fine. In this sweltering heat, employees can't hang around because the air conditioning cuts out. Customers also turn on their heels because EFTPOS doesn't work. It's another timely reminder that those Aucklanders who work on a computer need to regularly keep saving their work, while retailers need to keep an old manual zip-zap machine under their counter," says Cameron Brewer. 
 
ends
 

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