New Zealand is a first world country, and to be of such a presumption would require us to believe that electricity and heating should be basic right of life in our country. This, however, is not the case for all New Zealanders who endure power hardship, especially so during winter months. The cause for this is the privatisation of these power companies causing them to pursue money which in turn controls their policies and costs. Unfortunately a large portion of New Zealanders experience power hardship, which ultimately is a cumulative issue of inadequate housing on top of expensive rental prices. Sasha spoke to Jodi Gardner, professor of Law from the University of Auckland about power companies' unregulated control, as well as the problems lower and middle income New Zealanders face related to heating and electricity.