What you need
While our priority is to restore any power outages as safely and quickly as possible, there are times when we are unable to do this due to the severity of the event.
Do you have a plan for how you and your whānau would cope without power for hours, days or even weeks?
Be prepared
In addition to your Civil Defence Get Ready(external link) emergency supplies, we suggest you have the following to make sure you are prepared for power outages:
- A torch (we suggest torches instead of candles to reduce the risk of fire)
- A radio
- A charged power bank (for charging mobiles, devices)
- Spare batteries
Have in your kit
You should also
- Know the location of your main switch board.
- Know how to open your electric garage door and/or gates with the manual release.
- Have a safe heating plan.
- Have an alternative outdoor cooking method.
- Consider surge protection for sensitive devices (consult an electrician for advice on the best devices for your situation).
If you rely on electricity, (for example for water pumping and waste water, fish tanks etc.) you should ensure you have an alternative power source such as a generator available for use during a power outage.
Check our advice about safely connecting and using a generator, or call your local electrician.
Medically dependent
If you are medically dependent on electricity, you need an emergency plan. Obtain medical advice and inform your electricity retailer (e.g. Meridian, Contact, Genesis).
Business requirements
If you rely on electricity for essential business operations, you should ensure you have an alternative power source such as a generator available for use during a power outage. For advice about safely connecting and using a generator, please visit our {link} or call your local electrician.