We're improving our electricity network in your area.

About the project
How this will help with your power
Where's affected
How the work will impact me
Who's involved
What we've done already
Project photos
Latest updates 

About the project

Wellington Electricity (we*) is your local lines company responsible for managing the poles, wires and equipment that safely deliver electricity to Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley.

We've been working with our contractors to look at ways in which we can improve reliability in the Pāuatahanui, Paekākāriki Hill, and Judgeford areas. Our improvement plans include replacing, fixing, inspecting, and maintaining the poles, wires and other equipment that makes up the electricity network in your area. Some of this work has already begun as of November 2022, but there is still more to come.

How this will help with the reliability of your supply

About a third of the outages in the last year have been related to trees. Every year, our contracted arborist, Treescape, surveys the lines for potential hazards. In the past few months, our crews have conducted multiple surveys and have been working with tree owners to cut or trim the trees near our network to help reduce outages and improve reliability. 

While our equipment and poles are monitored for defects in line with our Asset Management Plan, we've identified that some equipment needs to be repaired or replaced due to worsening weather conditions and normal wear and tear. By upgrading our equipment, we can reduce the number of outages in your area.

Some of the smallest cracks can cause the biggest issues. Our comprehensive inspections will help us to see the little things that may not ordinarily be visible. Our aim is to spot these issues early and get any faulty equipment replaced before it affects you.

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Where's affected

Click on any of the highlighted areas to learn more or click on the right arrow at the top left of the map for an overview.

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How the work might impact you

We'll be contacting residents and businesses in the area by email and via electricity retailers, and will continue to do so throughout the project (along with in-person letter drops from our crews). You can expect:

• traffic management & road closures,
• planned outages,
• a need for us to access your land (where our equipment is on private property),
• notification that your trees may be too close to power lines and need to be cut or trimmed.

Please be assured that we will be doing our best to minimise any impacts to you while we complete this work. For any planned outages, your electricity retailer will let you know if and when you'll be affected. 

Where our assets are on private land, our contractors might need to arrange access with you to either inspect or replace equipment. We'll endeavour to work with you on any preferred routes, timing, etc. At some times machinery may be needed, but we'll take steps to minimise any direct impact to land we access and will reinstate land to its previous condition so far as is reasonably practicable.

Who's involved

This project is being managed by we* and the work is being carried out by our contractors, Downer, Northpower, and Treescape. They will be in touch directly if you're affected by something they're doing.

What we've done since November 2022

• Our Treescape crews have been out assessing the area and identifying problem spots. They have been issuing cut or trim notices (CTNs) to tree owners for any trees close to our power lines.
• Northpower have been walking the lines along Murphy's Road identifying potential issues.
• Our engineers have designed the line upgrades and passed these to our contractors for delivery.
• Downer have been out scoping the work – working through access requirements, ordering materials, and confirming logistics so that they can limit the number of outages required.

Latest updates

Update 22/8:

Recloser 'RS5' replacement

We successfully replaced Recloser 'RS5' on 9 August as planned and have since been able to confirm that the new device – now known as Recloser RS1100 – is operating as expected. Although there is some work left to be done, this is a significant step in improving network reliability to the area.

Update 2/8:

Recloser 'RS5' replacement

• The faulty equipment is due to be replaced on 9 August, which will require a planned outage (all affected customers will have been notified by their electricity retailers).
• If weather does not allow for the work to safely take place, it will be carried out the following week (again, weather permitting).
• To complete the work, crews will also be present the day before and the day after the equipment is replaced.

Grays Road line re-build

• All line spans east of Te Ara Piko pathway (sections 5A-7B on our interactive map) have been re-built.
• The remainder is due to be completed in spring.

Other work

• The Murphys Road line rebuild is currently being planned.
• The wider vegetation clearance work has been completed, along with the installation of some line covers at strategic locations to help protect from tree interference.

Update 9/3: Work on the line Grays Road/Paekākāriki Hill Road areas of Pāuatahanui is beginning. Retailers are starting to be provided with dates to let affected residents know if a power outage is needed for work happening nearby. Please be aware that weather or other unforeseen circumstances may cause delays, but we will let your retailers know if this happens.

Update 27/3: Following the inspections on Murphys Road, Wellington Electricity and our contractors are in the planning process for a line re-build on Murphys Road. This is similar to what is underway in the Grays Road area where our contractors will be replacing pole-top equipment along the lines. Once the work is finalised we will provide more information on dates and what can be expected for the work to be completed.

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