The Diary: 21 responses to Auckland's power cut

It was a hard time for Aucklanders who got hit by a massive power cut.

Yesterday, a massive power cut hit Auckland's leafy eastern suburbs. Many palatial homes and popular cafes are still without power, and police are crediting BMW drivers with taking care on the roads despite no traffic lights.

The good people of Remuera, Epsom, Orakei and St Heliers have stayed strong and resilient through the blackout. They are coping bravely in this crisis, and adapting. Bottles of Pinot Gris have been served at room temperature. Hair straighteners waived for the frizz.

Aucklanders hunker down during the Auckland power outage. Photo / NZH

Espresso coffee machines surrendered for a quick trip to Coffee Guy for takeaway latte.

Ecoya candles burned brightly last night in homes across the Northern Slopes, but how long can our Auckland neighbours be prepared to put up with such sacrifices?

The power outage has brought the Auckland City community together.

At their time of need our thoughts are with the powerless people of Remuera. Tonight we are all Remuerans. #AucklandPowerOutage

— Jeremy Greenbrook-Held (@JGreenbrookHeld) October 4, 2014

Thanks to kind souls offering assistance in power outage. Have my mum safely at Omaha now. And no respect for idiots posting sarcasm....

— La-Raindrop (@LauraineJacobs) October 5, 2014

The people of the eastern suburbs are strong, and have dealt with the situation as best they could.

Roughing it in the Auckland power outage, grinding the coffee with a mortar and pestle. #FWPs pic.twitter.com/PP65vmFVPj

— Jonathan Milne (@JonoMilne) October 5, 2014

I'm at the supermarche and people are going wild buying torches

— T-Bone (@thmslcn) October 5, 2014

Residents kept up positive attitudes, and thought about future planning and safeguarding.

Others were frustrated. Even the rich and famous couldn't escape the terror.

Poss 48hr Powercut in E Auckland, how come I can't use the power off my PV panels? What a rort! When the system goes down my solar wasted?

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 4, 2014

Some Aucklanders were quick to come up with theories as to who could step up to save the day.

David Seymour borrows Antarctica NZ jacket from Bob Parker, strides among the good people of Remuera in their hour of darkness

— Steve Braunias (@SteveBraunias) October 4, 2014

Parnell dweller John Key was not affected.

Key says there is power at his house

— Michael Parkin (@Michael_Parkin) October 5, 2014

But he offered Churchillian advice in his capacity as Prime Minister.

PM says people should consider "extending the hand of friendship" to those affected by #AucklandPowerOutage. Party at John and Bronagh's?

— Simon Wong (@wimon_song) October 5, 2014

Of course, everyone had their own ideas on helping others.

BREAKING: Volunteers bring eggs benedict and flat whites to the powerless people of Epsom.

— Paul Litterick, PhD. (@fundypost) October 4, 2014

And solutions.

Surely those in better suburbs have gone to the beach house 'til someone from the utility company sorts out the power #AucklandPowerOutage

— Richard Pamatatau (@RPamatatau) October 5, 2014

But human suffering was omnipresent.

Trying to keep equilibrium. But too dark to read, no TV, music or internet. Plus 4am start and cold shower ahead. Not funny #getourpoweron

— Susan Wood (@susanmwood) October 5, 2014

Others were enjoying the blackout.

Power's just come on in Remuera. Shame.. we'll have to stop at lights again.

— Rawdon Christie (@RawdonChristie) October 5, 2014

This person saw the return of power as a wifi welcome mat.

Back online in Epsom central. The bourgeois are saved from the most traumatic experience of the year.

— Louis Houlbrooke (@louishoulbrooke) October 5, 2014

But just to show that Remuera is home to real people like you and me who appreciate nana nights, there was this All Black.

One positive of having no power at my Auckland pad is I'm all tucked up & it's only 8pm #goodnight

— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) October 5, 2014

Of course, humour kept spirits up.

Gaylene Preston rushes to Remuera to begin filming a docudrama on the power crisis. "It's not too soon," she tells reporters

— Steve Braunias (@SteveBraunias) October 4, 2014

- nzherald.co.nz