Record power demand as Kiwis crank up heaters in bitter cold

The recent cold snap in New Zealand has led to an unprecedented surge in electricity demand as people crank up their heaters to stay warm, adding to the financial strain during a cost-of-living crisis. This spike in energy use highlights the vulnerability of the country's power grid under extreme weather conditions, raising concerns about future energy management and sustainability. The situation underscores the broader challenges of balancing economic pressures with environmental impacts, especially as climate change continues to push weather patterns to extremes.