KEY POINTS:
About 200 homes are still without power after Cyclone Funa ripped across the country yesterday.
More than 16,000 houses from Taranaki to Wairarapa lost power during the cyclone, which saw winds of up to 130km/h slam the lower North Island.
Powerco network operations manager Ross Dixon said power should be restored to all the homes this evening.
Most of the cuts could have been avoided if tree owners had called in professional tree trimmers before the high winds hit, he said.
"We have had problems with severe winds causing trees and broken branches to come into contact with overhead lines in areas including New Plymouth, Opunake, Kapuni, Patea, Wanganui ... and Castlepoint."
Powerco had been working to educate property owners about the problem and spent millions of dollars on tree trimming annually, Mr Dixon said.
"Property owners continue to plant and grow trees beneath our lines and then when we are hit by these severe winds those trees start causing damage which ultimately causes those property owners and their neighbours to lose power."
People should not attempt to trim trees growing near overhead lines themselves because it was illegal and dangerous, Mr Dixon said.
"Instead they should contact the professionals, who work with lines companies and have the right equipment and training to trim trees near lines safely."
- NZPA
