Far North power cut slashes takings

A power cut caused by a quarrying blast meant frustration and lost income across the Far North yesterday.

The "closed" signs went up on businesses, shops, stores and restaurants when 10,000 customers served by the Top Energy network went without power from early morning.

National grid operator Transpower said there would be a 12-hour cut, from 7am to 7pm, after rock-blasting in a quarry at Fairburn, 10km east of Kaitaia, damaged conductor lines.

But there was confusion with Civil Defence appearing not to know about the power cut and Mayor Yvonne Sharp saying she heard about the plans only by chance on radio late on Saturday.

Power was restored in the affected area - from north of Taupo Bay and North Hokianga, including Kaitaia - by about mid-afternoon yesterday.

Transpower spokesman Chris Roberts said rocks from Friday's quarry blast had travelled some distance to hit and badly damage about 150m of conductor lines.

Although power supply to the district was not interrupted then, contractors Electrix were called in to remove and replace sections of the damaged conductor lines yesterday before Top Energy line network crews reconnected the local system.

The job was done in little more than eight hours.

But some Far North business operators for whom Sunday is a major trading day were angry.

Alan Wright, co-owner of the Mangonui Fish Shop, was among many proprietors who closed their stores for the day, leaving customers empty-handed and staff with an unscheduled day off without pay.

Wright said his shop, catering to locals, visitors and busloads of foreign tourists, would normally take about $4000 on a Sunday at this time of year with nine or 10 staff working.

"If they have to shut the power down for 12 hours, why don't they do it from 7pm to 7am to minimise disruption to everyone?"

The Mangonui Hotel, with a full house of visitors on Saturday night, had no restaurant, no bistro and no laundry to make up guest rooms.

Mr Roberts said although the cut was regretted, it was not safe to undertake such line repair work at night.

"The police also don't like us to take the lights out at night for safety and security reasons."

He said Transpower intended this week to raise the rock-blasting issue with the quarry owners.