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Generator safety tips

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Safety precautions
Need a generator?

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.

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0800 30 90 80

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:

  • estimating the required size of the generator
  • connecting and disconnecting a generator from the supply. This service must be booked in advance, and the generator and required cables must be provided. Costs may apply. Please contact us to find out more.
Get in touch

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

  • Kaikōura Hire Company

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.

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2

Important notifications

Hot water load testing under way ahead of winter

Until mid‑April, we’re working closely with retailers to carry out hot water load testing as we prepare our network for the coming winter season.

These tests run for a couple of hours each day, Monday to Friday, with no testing taking place over weekends. Because each test window is relatively short, customers are unlikely to notice any changes to their hot water supply.

The purpose of this work is to help us better understand how much controllable load is available during the summer months. Gaining accurate insights now means we can model customer savings more effectively by reducing system load at peak times. It also helps us assess whether this load flexibility could assist Transpower in deferring an upcoming local transmission upgrade.

This testing is an important part of ensuring a resilient, efficient network that supports our community.

MainPower Trust elections

Voting is open for the 2026 MainPower Trust election.

Voting packs have been emailed or posted by Electionz.com to everyone who pays a power bill on the MainPower network. You need to have the unique ID provided to cast your vote.

If you haven’t received a voting pack, or can’t find it, you can get a replacement by contacting iro@electionz.com.  For full details of the candidates, visit mainpowertrust.co.nz/trustee-elections/. 

Make the most of this opportunity to have your say on the future of MainPower – and your community.

Voting closes midday Friday 6 March 2026. 

Privacy Policy

Outages
0800 30 90 80

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

Hot water load testing under way ahead of winter

Until mid‑April, we’re working closely with retailers to carry out hot water load testing as we prepare our network for the coming winter season.

These tests run for a couple of hours each day, Monday to Friday, with no testing taking place over weekends. Because each test window is relatively short, customers are unlikely to notice any changes to their hot water supply.

The purpose of this work is to help us better understand how much controllable load is available during the summer months. Gaining accurate insights now means we can model customer savings more effectively by reducing system load at peak times. It also helps us assess whether this load flexibility could assist Transpower in deferring an upcoming local transmission upgrade.

This testing is an important part of ensuring a resilient, efficient network that supports our community.

MainPower Trust elections

Voting is open for the 2026 MainPower Trust election.

Voting packs have been emailed or posted by Electionz.com to everyone who pays a power bill on the MainPower network. You need to have the unique ID provided to cast your vote.

If you haven’t received a voting pack, or can’t find it, you can get a replacement by contacting iro@electionz.com.  For full details of the candidates, visit mainpowertrust.co.nz/trustee-elections/. 

Make the most of this opportunity to have your say on the future of MainPower – and your community.

Voting closes midday Friday 6 March 2026. 

Privacy Policy

Outages
0800 30 90 80

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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0800 30 90 80
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