Powerco Planning Manager Neville Goodwin said the works had progressed well due to the fine weather and would be completed by December 7.

Mr Goodwin said work on the Kopu to Tairua line was completed and crews were currently refurbishing the Kopu to Coroglen line.

"Up to 40 staff and contractors from Tenix and Electrix have been involved in the project which has seen around 60 power poles and related cross arms and insulators replaced. We have also used helicopters to access a number of sites in rugged hill country between Kopu and Coroglen where vehicle access is not possible," he said.

Mr Goodwin said Powerco had briefed the helicopter pilots involved with the work to ensure they avoided causing any stress to livestock while undertaking the works.

Powerco is New Zealand's second largest electricity and gas distribution utility with around 400,000 consumers connected to its networks. Powerco's electricity networks are in Tauranga, Thames, Coromandel, Eastern and Southern Waikato, Taranaki, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and the Wairarapa. Its gas pipeline networks are in Taranaki, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Wellington, Horowhenua, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and Tasmania.