New Zealand

1500 still without power in NI

13:04 pm on 7 October 2014

Fifteen hundred customers in the central North Island remain without power following yesterday's gale force winds.

The severe weather cut power to more than 11000 customers in western Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Manawatu, Wairarapa and Tararua and prompted about 200 Fire Service callouts.

Powerco's network operations manager, Phil Marsh, said it has reconnected 9500 customers so far and hopes to reconnect the rest today.

He said fallen trees have caused the most damage and people should steer clear of any damaged powerlines.

Power has also been restored to nearly 800 customers in Rotorua.

Unison said the weather has eased and it should be able to repair the rest of the network soon.

It says about 40 customers in Rotoma and 18 in Tumunui are still without power.