This week: July 14 – 20
Aerial pole inspections have been completed for Zone 4.
Aerial pole inspections are taking place this week. The helicopter was unable to get into Zone 5 on Tuesday 15th due to fog, but were able to complete Zone 4. Due to weather the helicopter will need to move further north. Leaving from Rangiora, the plan is to work Zone 3 today and potentially Zone 2 if there is weather issues.
You may notice the helicopter overhead. It will generally fly at the same height and speed as a rescue chopper, so you may not notice it at all. In some instances, it may need to pause, hover and turn for short periods to ensure we’re collecting clear data.
MainPower will be conducting aerial surveys of the power lines on our network from late June and through July 2025. Inspections are completed by a helicopter mounted with a camera. It will fly at around 500 feet above the power lines – the normal height that aircraft, like the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, usually fly.
Electricity supply will not be affected during the inspections.
The survey captures images to produce a model of our network. This tells us the condition of our assets so we can identify any potential issues. Using the model, we analyse various scenarios on the network, assess the impact of each scenario and model proposed work programs, such as vegetation work and pole replacement, and determine the effectiveness of the work.
The helicopter will typically fly continuously at a moderate speed. Some turning or circling may be necessary in some areas and the helicopter may need to hover for brief periods to fully capture the power line imagery required.
The map below indicates the areas that will be covered – work will begin at ‘6’ and work north.
Customers along the flight paths have been notified, but if you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to get in touch. Please call our Network Service team on 0800 30 90 80 or use the online form here. You can also email us at nsr@mainpower.co.nz.
Week 1: July 7 – 13 (Completed)
Aerial pole inspections have been completed for Zone 6.
Zones 4 – 6: Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Waikuku
Zone 3: Amberley, Waipara
Zones 1 – 2: Kaikōura, Hanmer Springs, Cheviot
