Generator safety tips

Use generators safely in the event of a power outage.

MainPower is committed to providing a safe and reliable electricity supply to all customers, but we cannot guarantee an uninterrupted supply of power. Scroll down for informatin on using generators safely in the event of a power outage.

We’re here to help. Get in touch if you need help. Or, check out our FAQs.

Safety precautions

From time to time, your power supply may be interrupted. 

This can happen because of wind or snow storms, or due to planned maintenance on the network. Portable generators (stand-alone type not requiring an electrician) can be useful to maintain critical “plug-in” type appliances until power is restored.

Generators may be hazardous if they are not used correctly. The following tips – and a detailed understanding of your specific generator’s instructions – can help avoid dangerous situations.

Need a generator?

How can MainPower help?

We can help customers affected by an outage by:

The following hire companies service North Canterbury.

Phone 03 344 1500
39 Braeburn Drive, Hornby, Christchurch

Phone 03 314 8665
15 Markham Street, Amberley

Phone 03 313 4518
1 Ryans Place, Rangiora

Phone 03 319 7183
170 Beach Road, Kaikōura

Phone 03 313 7080
19 Southbrook Road, Rangiora

Phone 03 352 6272
1190 Main North Road, Belfast, Christchurch

Phone 03 313 7336
12 Newnham Street, Rangiora

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 12.00pm 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 12.00pm 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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