What to do before and during a power outage
Be prepared and stay informed
Severe weather, accidents and equipment faults can all lead to unplanned power outages. While our crews work year-round to reduce risks and restore power quickly, there are practical steps you can take now to keep your household safe and comfortable when the lights go out.
What to do before a storm
- Pack away or tie down trampolines, outdoor furniture, and loose items that could become hazards in strong winds.
- Trim trees and other vegetation on your property that could damage power lines during bad weather.
- Get your emergency kit ready – Include a torch, batteries, first aid kit, radio, bottled water, gas for the BBQ, and essential medications.
- Charge your phone and keep a car charger or power bank on hand.
- Learn how to manually open your garage door, or park your car outside before the storm.
Power outage prep checklist
- Have at least three days’ worth of drinking water stored.
- Fill your bath and buckets for washing or toilet flushing.
- Be aware that WiFi and internet may be unavailable.
- Turn off and unplug sensitive electronics to prevent damage from surges.
- Avoid using candles, a torch is much safer.
What to do during a power outage
- Stay 10 metres away from downed lines or damaged equipment. Always treat them as live.
- Keep your fridge and freezer closed to help preserve your food for longer.
- Check Northpower’s Outage Map or our Facebook page for regular updates.
- Call us if you need help. Please note, wait times may be longer during widespread outages.
- If you or someone in your whānau is medically dependent on electricity, have a plan to relocate to a safe place if needed.
- Watch out for non-functioning streets and traffic lights if travelling.
Outage FAQs
Every outage is different. Some take longer due to:
- Dangerous working conditions (e.g. high winds or darkness)
- Difficult access to damaged areas
- Widespread storm damage
- Prioritising hospitals and essential services
- Check our outage map for estimated restoration times and updates. We’ll keep you informed as the situation changes.
Before calling:
- Check your switchboard as a tripped fuse or circuit breaker might be the issue.
- Ask your neighbours. If they still have power, the fault may be in your service line or internal wiring.
- Visit our outages map to see if we’re already aware of the fault.
- If your hot water or stove isn’t working, we may be managing load during peak demand. Give us a call if you’re unsure.
If the fault is on your private service line (running from the powerlines to your house), you will be responsible for the cost of any repairs. You may also be liable for any damage you cause to the Northpower network.
