The Green Party wants a full and public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Auckland, following the mercenary decision of a power company to cut off electricity providing life-supporting oxygen.

The Mangere woman, who was recently released from hospital, died shortly after the electricity was cut off despite pleas from her and her teenage son.

“Is there no social responsibility requirement? No code of conduct? Listening to the company spokesperson this morning, it would seem the company sees it as entirely the responsibility of the consumer to make contact, provide documentation and argue their right to be allowed to live,” says Green Party Social Development spokesperson Sue Bradford.