Plan before you plant near power lines

Trees and vegetation growing too close to power lines are one of the leading causes of unplanned power outages on the MainPower network.

Please avoid planting trees near power lines. If you do decide to plant near power lines, be selective in your choice of tree, and always remember to look up and think about how large the tree will eventually grow.

And, as always; we’re happy to assist, get in touch if you are still unsure or visit our FAQs.

Plan before you plant

As the owner of a tree, you’re responsible for keeping it trimmed and ensuring it stays outside the Growth Limit Zone near power lines. 

Under the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations, tree owners may face penalties for not keeping trees clear of power lines and could be held responsible for any damage caused by tree contact.

To avoid potential costs and risks, carefully consider which tree you’re planting and where. For guidance, download our fact sheet on tree planting near power lines. It contains a list of suitable trees that are less likely to interfere with overhead lines.
 
Or, talk to your local plant nursery for advice.  
 
 
 

We’re here to help

If you need some assistance or advice, please get in touch with our team.

Outage notifications

WEATHER RELATED OUTAGES - updated 8.00am 29/10/2025

We’re making great progress restoring power across the network. Currently there are 85 customers without power, but we have a large number of crews in multiple locations again today.

We will have a helicopter operating in the Hurunui Mouth area around midday today. The helicopter is a twin engine and is carrying out complex river crossing repairs. It will be travelling low and slow, and it will be quite loud.

Please keep the area clear so our teams can carry out these urgent repairs to restore power to the area.

Estimated restoration times are regularly being uploaded to the Outage Map.

If you have any concerns or questions, please call our customer service team on 0800 30 90 80.

TREAT ALL POWER LINES AS LIVE AT ALL TIMES. Please stay away from any downed lines and report any sighting to us on 0800 30 90 80.

For the most recent updates on outrages, please check our outage map. To report an outage, call 0800 30 90 80.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

Is your outage not listed?

Troubleshoot your outage
Treat all lines as live during the outage period; power may be restored at any time. If you require further information, please call MainPower’s 24-hour faults line. To report an emergency, call 111.

Outage notifications

WEATHER RELATED OUTAGES - updated 8.00am 29/10/2025

We’re making great progress restoring power across the network. Currently there are 85 customers without power, but we have a large number of crews in multiple locations again today.

We will have a helicopter operating in the Hurunui Mouth area around midday today. The helicopter is a twin engine and is carrying out complex river crossing repairs. It will be travelling low and slow, and it will be quite loud.

Please keep the area clear so our teams can carry out these urgent repairs to restore power to the area.

Estimated restoration times are regularly being uploaded to the Outage Map.

If you have any concerns or questions, please call our customer service team on 0800 30 90 80.

TREAT ALL POWER LINES AS LIVE AT ALL TIMES. Please stay away from any downed lines and report any sighting to us on 0800 30 90 80.

For the most recent updates on outrages, please check our outage map. To report an outage, call 0800 30 90 80.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

Is your outage not listed?

Troubleshoot your outage
Treat all lines as live during the outage period; power may be restored at any time. If you require further information, please call MainPower’s 24-hour faults line. To report an emergency, call 111.

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