Power cables can be buried at varying depths, from just under the surface to over 1.2 metres deep. Striking a power or communications cable can lead to serious injury, fire, or service disruptions.

Before you dig:

• Visit beforeudig.co.nz and request reference maps of underground cables.
• If your worksite is within 10 metres of underground cables, you must carry out a cable location.
• You can order a cable location from us here. Please call us if you need to locate underground cables urgently.
• For urgent work or requests outside normal hours, fault-finding on private service lines is available as a chargeable service.
• We’ll come to your site and dazzle the cable route on the ground
• Use potholing by hand to confirm the cable route where necessary.
• A safety observer may be required – we’ll let you know during the site visit.

You cannot dig or excavate within:

• 5 metres of a Northpower pole
• 2 metres of underground electrical or communications cables – unless you have a Close Approach Consent.

When working on your property, watch out for:

• Trees growing near lines (ask about a free temporary disconnection before trimming)
• For-sale signs or posts being rammed into the ground
• Brooms, tools, or ladders coming close to live lines
• Decorative lighting, cameras or other elevated installations

Communications cables can also be dangerous if struck, especially fibre optic cables, which may cause serious eye damage if exposed to direct laser light.