Weather related outages
Power has been restored to all 299 customers who lost supply following high winds in the Hikuai area of the Coromandel Peninsula just after 8am today.
Powerco Acting Head of Network Operations, Mark Brown, says the fault was caused by a branch going through the line. Crews had initially been unable to reach the fault site to make repairs because of flooding cutting access.
“Thank you to those customers for their patience and understanding while we worked to safely access the site of the fault, remove the branch and restore supply.
“Despite our best efforts to manage vegetation near power lines, the increase in extreme weather events continues to see debris and trees, roots of which are often sodden by on-going rain and flooding, being blown some distance into lines in high winds.
“It’s important for you to stay safe in these conditions. If you come across any downed power lines, it’s important that you treat them as live at all times, stay well clear and contact our 24/7 emergency line on 0800 0800 27 27 27 or 111.”
Media reports of thousands of customers without supply in Whitianga this morning was incorrect, Mark Brown says.
High winds in Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, ManawatÅ« and Whanganui have also resulted in outages during today, with coastal Taranaki impacted most. At 3.30pm, there were 491 customers without power throughout Powerco’s North Island electricity network area – most of those (221) in Rahotu, coastal Taranaki. The wild weather is expected to pass by midday tomorrow.
Customers wanting information about power cuts can go to Powerco’s power outage webpage or can contact their electricity retailer.
11am weather related outages update
Powerco field crews are working to restore power to customers affected by weather-related outages across the North Island this morning.
In Hikuai area of the Coromandel Peninsula, crews trying to get to the scene of a weather-related fault are being hampered by flooding. A total of 299 customers lost power in the area at 8.04am.
Meanwhile, in coastal Taranaki, Powerco fault crews are responding to suspected wind-related outages in and around Opunake.
Acting Powerco Head of Network Operations, Mark Brown, thanks customers for their patience and understanding as crews work as quickly and safely as possible in the conditions to reconnect supply.
“I understand it’s frustrating being without power. Where we can get safe access, we have crews available to fix faults. It’s important for you to stay safe in these conditions. If you come across any downed power lines, it’s important that you treat them as live at all times, stay well clear and contact our 24/7 emergency line on 0800 0800 27 27 27 or 111.”