8,000 PowerNet customers in the Southland area and 3,000 in the Otago area still remain without power, as at 9am this morning (26 Oct), as extra resources are brought into Southland from around the country.

PowerNet Chief Executive Paul Blue said they had got thousands of customers back on in the last few days, but there was still plenty more to do.

“We’ve called on our colleagues around the country and they have willingly offered support."

"Crews from outside the region started arriving yesterday and will continue to head south on Monday and Tuesday – this will give us a total of 220 field staff available."

“We are extremely grateful for this help because the job is immense and we are still getting reports of lines down, broken poles and trees on lines.”

Blue said a large number of urban areas and critical services have been restored, with a focus on cell sites and dairy farms because we know they are facing some big challenges.

“We’re working closely with Emergency Management Southland, Emergency Management Otago and rural agencies, who are sourcing generators for dairy farms while they remain without power.

“It’s important to note restoration in our rural areas is more complex and likely to be slower, due to the widespread damage and large numbers of trees complicating the work.”

Safety is also becoming a concern due to large numbers of downed lines, broken poles and trees tangled in lines out there.

“We understand it is tempting to want to get them cleared, but please don’t, even if you think the power is off. Keep well clear of them and stay safe.”

Blue said there may also be lines lying on fences – these could mean the fence itself is live so the advice remains to stay clear.

“We don’t want anybody taking risks, our teams will get there so please be patient.”

By the Numbers as at 9am 26/10

The Power Company Limited network (Southland)

• Total Customers: 38,200
• Customers without power: 8,000

OtagoNet network (South Otago)

• Total Customers: 15,700
• Customers without power: 3,000