More than 730 customers in Pukehangi were left without power for several hours this morning after a car being chased by police crashed into a power pole.
A police media spokeswoman said the car crashed into a power pole on the corner of Susan St and Clayton Rd shortly after 1.20am.
The driver allegedly failed to stop for a compulsory breath test on Ranolf St, sparking the chase.
The driver suffered minor injuries while the passenger in the vehicle was uninjured.
"The vehicle has been impounded," the spokeswoman said.
A Unison contractor at the site said a car had crashed into one of the poles, but it had actually brought down three.
A section of Clayton Rd, at the corner of Susan St, was temporarily closed as power lines were brought down.
Power has now been restored and the road reopened.
A 35-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop and excess breath alcohol.
Many sites north of Gisborne were hit with 100mm of rain over a 24 hour period.