Simon & Jane's Story

Simon and Jane live with their two teenage children in a house in Wainuiomata, Wellington. In many ways theirs is a typical Kiwi home - a single level weatherboard house in a pleasant street which catches plenty of sun. But when the weather turns cold so does their house.

Simon says: "Keeping the house warm is a constant battle in winter … we camp out in the lounge."

It is very expensive to heat houses, he says. "I know of people's power bills that are horrendous … $600 a month."
Jane says she has to provide jumpers for her friends to wear when they come to visit.

"I know insulation makes a huge difference. I have a friend who lives in a Housing Corp house which has just been insulated. It was always cold and impossible to heat and now the whole house is warm. It has really changed their lives. Instead of sitting around feeling Third World-like they are nice and cosy," she says.

Simon completed an adult apprenticeship in building in 2008 just as the building market started to slow. He says: "If something could be done that would be great, for people living in cold houses and for a lot of people in the building industry, like myself, who are struggling to find work."