Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says the Government’s campaign suggesting Kiwis shorten their showers and limit their heating to save money didn’t get its tone entirely right.
A campaign launched by Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods on Wednesday included five tips for New Zealanders to save money, including shortening their showers, limiting their heating and switching appliances off.
But it was overwhelmingly panned online and by other political parties quickly after it was launched. National called it a “lecture”, ACT said it was “gaslighting”, and the Greens said the Government should tax wealthy Kiwis rather than telling them how long to shower for.
[…] “I think they have got their tone a bit off in terms of the campaign that they launched yesterday, just in terms of how they convey those messages,” Hipkins said.
Oh really, Chris? How about they shouldn’t have said anything at all.
[…] Announcing the campaign on Wednesday, Woods said the ideas “aren’t new”, but described them as “meaningful to families”.
- Checking you’re on the best power plan for you and your whanau
- Switching off appliances at the wall when you’re not using them
- Setting your heat pump to a maximum of 21 degrees
- Changing your washing machine settings to cold wash
- Shortening showers to five minutes.
Yeah, sure. I can just imagine everyone running around saying, “Hey, bro. Did you check the beer fridge is unplugged? Oh, and the telly too.”
And the heat pump, really? Why not go the full hog and say, “Make sure you only use the spa when power is cheapest.”
After it was launched, National’s campaign chair Chris Bishop said it was “arrogant and pathetic”.
“Kiwis need some leadership not a lecture,” Bishop said.
[…] ACT Party leader David Seymour asked whether the Government thought Kiwis “are stupid?”
“It’s like a burglar coming back to a house they’ve robbed to tell their victim how to stay safe,” Seymour said.
“The level of gaslighting is off the charts.”
The new campaign will feature on television, social media, in print publications and on bus stops and malls throughout winter. A brochure with supporting tips will also be delivered to around 500,000 households that receive the Government’s Winter Energy Payment. An additional 16-page booklet with more energy-saving information will be distributed in seven languages.
Now here’s where it gets fun. Imagine the television ad campaign. No real actors, just a voice-over and cartoons.
First you’re greeted by a cartoon brown kid in the shower. Then the voice-over comes on.
“Hey youse, if youse want to save on powa, try having shorter showers!” The brown kid then turns off the shower and gives a churr sign.
Next a cartoon of a fat brown woman comes on. The voice-over says “Always make sure you turn off stuff like the TV at da wall.” The fat brown woman then pulls the plug out, with her three kids saying “Aw Mum, we were just about up to the next level!”
You can picture the rest.