Thousands of PowerNet customers remain cut off in the lower South Island - a week after a severe storm downed much of its network
Thousands of PowerNet customers remain cut off in the lower South Island - a week after a severe storm downed much of its network
1 November 2025
19-hundred in Southland and 11-hundred in South Otago have yet to be reconnected.
Most of the damage was caused by wind-felled trees.
PowerNet Chief Executive Paul Blue, says the scale of the disruption means they've been forced to draft in additional linesmen.
He says they started with 150 PowerNet workers, but that number topped 230 thanks to staff from around six other lines companies joining the effort.
PowerNet hopes to have most of the network restored by next weekend.
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