Hundreds in Otago and Southland remained without power on Sunday afternoon after 25,000 properties lost electricity.
Transpower NZ, the national grid owner, experienced a significant issue at lunchtime today, which meant supply to most of Southland was cut for around hours.
An Invercargill resident told the ODT their power blinked off briefly before returning.
Meanwhile, stormy conditions earlier on Sunday and throughout the afternoon, had also caused outages throughout Southland and parts of Otago.
PowerNet estimates 800 customers remain without power while crews work to repair damage; approximately 500 in Southland and 300 in Otago.
PowerNet Operations General Manager Geoff Thorburn said the PowerNet field teams were well prepared for Sunday’s storm.
“We have had crews out since the early hours of Sunday morning, when the winds first hit. They were out working on repairs when Transpower’s issue first occurred and have continued working through this afternoon.”
“Everyone affected by Transpower’s outage will have had their electricity restored by now, unless there is weather-related damage to poles or lines. If you are still without electricity, and you haven’t called us to let us know, do so now on 0800 808 587.”
“We’ve experienced a lot of lightning strikes throughout Southland which can cause significant damage to our electricity infrastructure, and can take quite some time to repair,” he said.
Mr Thorburn reminded people to stay away from downed lines.
PowerNet staff would continue working on repairs while it remains safe to do so, and as conditions allow.
Wild winds in Wellington
A meteorologist says severe gusts hit 168 km/h on Sunday morning at Wellington’s Mt Kaukau, but as the wind coming from the Tasman Sea eases, the country is being treated to unusually warm weather during winter.
MetService meteorologist Gerard Bellham said “strong, blustery winds” have hit central parts of the country.
Bellham said the front was coming from the Tasman Sea, bringing a lot of warm air over from Australia.
He said Hawke’s Bay and Napier would be the first to see high temperatures this week, getting to 21 degrees on Sunday – well above the 15-degree maximum the areas usually see at this time of year.
Bellham said Kiwis would see “spring-like” weather this week, with temperatures in the low 20s.
Wellington Airport said two flights were unable to land this morning, due to high winds, and were diverted.
The airport said two more flights were cancelled before takeoff today, but normal operations had resumed for now.
Bellham said widespread power outages were wind related.
Wellington Electricity reported outages for more than 650 customers across the region, with restoration times of up to five hours.
The wind brought down a powerline across Treadwell Street in Lower Hutt, with police blocking off the hazard.
Power Co reported almost 400 homes were without power in the Wairarapa region and 200 in Manawatū.
More than 700 homes had unplanned outages in the Marlborough area, according to provider Marlborough Lines’ outage map.
More than 300 homes in Tasman had been out since early Sunday morning, Network Tasman advised.
Westpower said almost 400 homes along the West Coast in places like Hokitika and Wahapo were out.
About 20 homes in Christchurch City were without power, Orion reported.
– RNZ/Allied Media