Power cuts put spotlight on tree-growth problem

Strong winds toppled trees on to overhead lines and cut power to more than 500 Wairarapa homes on Thursday night. Phil Marsh, Powerco network operations manager, said severe weather started to cause problems for the Wairarapa supply early on Thursday morning and about 550 homes in rural areas near Greytown, Pirinoa and Featherston were left without power by 6pm.

Power was restored to each of the affected homes by 9.30pm on Thursday.

Mr Marsh said downed trees caused a significant number of power cuts and similar incidents could be avoided if tree owners called in professionals to clear their trees from lines.

"Powerco is committed to providing a high quality of supply to our customers and if tree owners would play their part by having a Powerco-approved contractor cut away any branches growing too close to lines it would make a huge difference to the people of Wairarapa," he said.

"Power cuts like this one could have easily been avoided if tree owners would simply take their responsibility seriously."

He urged residents with trees growing near lines to visit www.powerco.co.nz for contact details of approved tree experts.