Are you ready for the power cut?

Top Energy is urging Far North residents to prepare themselves for the large-scale power outage scheduled to take place from the North Hokianga north on Sunday. The switch is due to be flicked at 8am, with power to be restored to most of the affected area by 5pm.

A separate outage will affect areas including Doubtless Bay for a further hour, to 6pm, as the supply is switched from temporary generators back to the network.

The outage will allow essential development work to be undertaken on the supply line to Kaitaia, and to repair damage done in last year's storms.

Far North District Council civil defence co-ordinator Bill Hutchinson said nine hours could be a long time to be without power, and people needed to prepare themselves to reduce the impact. They might consider spending the day visiting relatives or travelling outside the region, but should also ensure that elderly or less mobile family members were cared for.

Provision should also be made for those with specific medical needs, such as dialysis, and any perceived issues or concerns should be raised with health professionals.

Cordless phones may not work while the power was off, he added, and cell phones should be charged before the shutdown, especially if they would be the only means of communication.

Mr Hutchinson said people could cope with planned events such as this, however. It had been well-signalled and publicised, and offered a good opportunity to look at household emergency plans.

"You should take the opportunity to consider options for unplanned, longer-term outages that can occur when infrastructure is damaged during storm events, that Northland is used to," he said.

"This outage is part of Top Energy's Far North electricity network investment programme, designed to ensure a more reliable supply of electricity to the region. But occasions like this also serve a useful role in helping us all to be more prepared when vital services are disrupted due to a significant event, such as a storm or earthquake."

Go to www.topenergy.co.nz for further details of the outages, and www.getthru.govt.nz for tips on preparing for power outages and real emergencies.

Business as usual

It will be business as usual at Kaitaia's civic centre Te Ahu throughout Sunday's power outage.

Far North District Council community and customer services manager Jacine Warmington said the Council had acquired a generator, which would keep the lights on at the i-Site, museum and Te Ahu Cinema, whose first screening would start at 11am.

The public library does not open on Sundays.