Cyclone Gita: Powerco crews on standby as storm approaches

Powerco crews will be on high alert for 12 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday to take care of any damage from Cyclone Gita.

Powerco Network Operations Manager Phil Marsh said forecasts currently predict the cyclone will be at its worst from 2pm Tuesday until 2am Wednesday.

"That's when it's likely to cause our network most problems as it passes over Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu and Wairarapa," he said.

"There is still uncertainty over how bad it will be but we are urging residents to secure outdoor items likely to become airborne in high winds. That includes outdoor furniture and trampolines; anything that can take off."

Past storms had also caused havoc with the Powerco networks by bringing down trees and branches across lines.

The projected path of the storm. Photo / Supplied

"These include all lines. Downed lines to a pump shed in a paddock are just as dangerous as those running along the road side.

"People need to be on the lookout and keep themselves and their children well clear. They need to treat downed lines as being live at all times and call emergency services."

Powerco has additional crews on standby to attend to any storm related damage.

Powerco is New Zealand's second largest electricity utility and largest gas distribution utility with around 442,000 consumers connected to its networks.

Powerco's electricity networks are in Western Bay of Plenty, Thames, Coromandel, Eastern and Southern Waikato, Taranaki, Whanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and the Wairarapa. Its gas pipeline networks are in Taranaki, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Wellington, Horowhenua, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay.