If it looks like any part of a tree is touching our lines, please phone 0800 248 148 so that we can attend straight away. Otherwise, click 'Learn more' for information.

Unfortunately, we aren't able to allow anything else to be attached to our poles.

If the pole isn't ours, please contact the relevant pole owner. If it's a Chorus pole (look out for a green tag, yellow number plate, or Chorus identification label like in the photo below), you can contact their Network Services team on 0800 463 896 (option 3) or at [email protected].

Request online via

      ^{Alternatively, phone 0800 248 344.}


In most cases, plans are automatically emailed to the requester straight away. However, if the proposed dig area is within 1.5 metres of critical underground cables, we'll need to supervise the excavation. In these cases, we'll let you know within two working days of your plan request.

Remember that plans:

• are provided at no cost, but there may be a charge if our supervision is required

• are indicative, not to scale and provided for reference purposes only - locations and dimensions shown are approximate

• are valid only at the date of issue and are deemed to have expired after two weeks (14 days from issue)

• may not be representative of any works that have recently occurred in the vicinity

• show Wellington Electricity underground assets only, but this may not include the likes of:

  • bare copper earthing wires

  • buried cable loops

  • oil lines for subtransmission cables

  • service connections to consumer properties (these are typically privately owned)

  • obsolete or abandoned cables (although these should still be assumed to be live)

  • multiple cables where they are adjacent or at differing depths (may be shown as a single line)

  • cable depths (typically between 300mm and 1200mm, but can be present at ANY depth).
    
    

⚠️ Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, you must establish the location of underground services before commencing excavation. To do this, you'll need to engage a third party contractor to provide you with mark-out/location services once you've obtained plans (find out more here), then hand dig to confirm. You should also read WorkSafe’s guideline.

⚠️ You'll need permission from us if you're planning to dig within 5 metres of any pole or stay wire that's holding up our lines (apply for consent here) or build over the route of an underground cable (contact us for advice). 

Apply for consent to dig within 5m of a pole

For excavations deeper than 1.5m, you might also need to notify WorkSafe.

This includes the likes of cable tunnels, substation grounds/buildings and switchyards, but most commonly relates to we* transformer rooms (indoor substations) in private buildings.

Supervised access to a controlled environment is a type of standover.
To get it, you'll need to apply for a Close Approach Consent.

Note: If you're looking to change where the power line from the pole connects to your property (the point of entry), you'll need to contact a qualified electrician in the first instance.

Given the nature of this work, we'll need to provide you with a quote to undertake what's required on our side.

Click the button to request online, or phone us on 0800 248 148 (option 7).

You can send us an email (or phone us, if you prefer) with any enquiries you might have. This could be anything to do with our electricity network and might include things like:

• network capacity enquiries

• information regarding electrical equipment (e.g. poles) on private property

• enquiries about electromagnetic fields

• ultra-fast broadband (UFB) status updates (where a we* pole is involved)

• information on our programmes, such as Stay Safe and Graffiti Prevention

• finding out what's happening with any major projects we're carrying out

• any complaints.

You should contact your electricity retailer for any matters relating to your contract with them, such as pricing, billing and metering. Your retailer can also help you with other things like queries about planned and unplanned outages.

Not sure who your retailer is? You can check on the Electricity Authority's website.

If you're working on your own property and only around the power line running from the pole to your home or business (the service line), please select 'Yes, but a service line'.

Based on the answers provided, you don't need to do anything else.

If you plan to dig or build around our network, please return to the 'What are you looking to do near our equipment?' menu to select the relevant option.

If you're only working around your private service line, you won't need our permission unless you also happen to be within 4 metres of our network lines. However, you'll still need to follow WorkSafe's guide to Working near low voltage overhead electric lines.

⚠️ You’ll need a temporary disconnection (isolation of the electricity supply) to safely undertake roofing, spouting, painting, water blasting, tree trimming, scaffolding or any other work around the power line from the pole to your home or business. You can request this via your electricity retailer.

Alternatively, you may be able to:

• arrange for the line to be sleeved by a private contractor if isolation isn't possible (although it is a legal requirement for the supply to be isolated if someone's working less than 0.5m from the line)

• hire a professional arborist to trim trees around your service line. Suitably qualified arborists will usually be able to do this without needing a temporary disconnection.

In all cases, the safest possible option is to have the supply isolated while the work takes place.

Trimming trees near network power lines is extremely dangerous work

Only arborists authorised by Wellington Electricity are legally allowed to trim trees within 4 metres of our power lines (but no closer than 1.5m without isolation of the electricity supply). This is known as the Professional Only Zone.

A tree owner can trim a tree themselves, provided all parts of it are at least 4m away from our power lines.

You should phone us on 0800 248 148 (option 4) to see if your tree is eligible for a free first cut or trim. Alternatively, you can contact an authorised vegetation contractor of your choice.

You'll need to contact your electricity retailer to request this.

we* doesn’t charge for this service, but your electricity retailer might charge you an administration fee to process the request. Find out more here (opens in new tab).
Please note that you will need to be present when we attend.

Not sure who your retailer is? You can check on the Electricity Authority's website.

To apply, you'll need the following information:

• Address or Deposited Plan & Lot details.
• Number of properties to be supplied.
• Required supply type/size (your electrician will be able to advise).
• Site plans (if held).

We'll then either: 

Scenario A – no network extension required
Refer you to an electricity retailer if it's unlikely to be necessary for us to extend our network. If this is the case, we won't need to quote you – instead, your chosen retailer will simply charge you a fixed fee for the connection.

or

Scenario B – network extension required
Instantly provide you with an expected cost (if possible), followed by a formal offer, then arrange for one of our contractors to carry out the work on our behalf. For larger builds, we might need to look into your request further and provide a bespoke price.

Either way, you'll need to engage your own electrician to install the necessary electrical equipment from the building to our point of supply. You should also speak to an electricity retailer of your choice about setting up an account (and electricity meter, if needed) for your new connection.

More information about this process can be found here (opens in new tab).

By continuing with an application, you:

• accept that any expected cost provided upfront is not a quote or other maximum charge and could change
• declare that your request is for a self-contained job and doesn't form part of a wider development (if this is the case, you must submit as a single application)
• declare that all information you provide is correct to the best of your knowledge and belief
• warrant that you own and occupy all private land on which the works will be undertaken or have the consent of the owner and occupier of the land to the works
• agree to grant and register an easement in favour of Wellington Electricity for any new network assets located on private land.

If an easement is required, you also agree that:

• the easement must be granted at no cost to Wellington Electricity
• the easement may require the preparation of a survey plan at your cost
• you will, if required by us, enter into an easement agreement at any time including before we commence the work.

By clicking 'PROCEED', you are confirming that you have read and understood the above disclaimer. Full terms and conditions can be found in the offer made by us/our contractor (if applicable).

You'll need to contact your electricity retailer to request any of the following services:

• Upgrades/downgrades (increasing/decreasing electrical capacity).
• Switching pricing plans between residential/commercial or low/standard.
• Conversion of a builder’s temporary supply to a permanent connection.

To change your connection from an overhead service line to an underground service cable, we'll need to provide you with a quote to undertake the work required on our side.
You can request this here.

Not sure who your retailer is? You can check on the Electricity Authority's website.

You'll need to contact your electricity retailer to request a decommission.

Not sure who your retailer is? You can check on the Electricity Authority's website.

Find out more about decommissions here (opens in new tab).

If you'd like to decommission network assets such as our cables and substations, please submit a request.

This would usually only be needed for a non-residential consumer
supplied by a dedicated substation. Select ‘No’ if you’re not sure.

Given the nature of this work, we'll need to provide you with a quote to undertake it.

Click the button to request online, or phone us on 0800 248 148 (option 7).

You might need this if the line’s in the way of the work you’re planning to do.

Given the nature of this work, we'll need to provide you with a quote to undertake it.

Click the button to request online, or phone us on 0800 248 148 (option 7).

If you’re planning to install distributed generation (DG) equipment at a property that’s connected to our network, you’ll need our approval first.

DG mainly encompasses solar (PV), wind, hydroelectric and liquid fuel (e.g. diesel), but can also include the likes of gas, biomass, thermal and geothermal.

Important note re standby generators: We're improving our DG application process to make it clearer and easier. This includes a requirement to tell us about standby generators for safety reasons. In the meantime, please follow the existing DG application process if you're planning to install a standby generator.
We don't need to know about portable generators, as these should NOT be connected directly to a property's mains electrical system. Find out more about backup generation here (opens in new tab).

Once you've confirmed the circuit voltage(s) for the lines you're looking to build near, you must self-assess using NZECP 34.

✔️ If the proposed structure is compliant with Table 2 of NZECP 34, you may proceed with construction.

❌ If it's not, you must obtain an engineering study from a qualified party* who can accurately calculate sag and swing conductor movement.

*Qualified parties may include the likes of IAMSL, Power Solutions Ltd, WSP, and Beca.

You'll then need to email us a copy of the report you receive, which we'll review in line with Table 3 of NZECP 34 and advise whether construction is permitted, along with any conditions that must be adhered to.

⚠️ An approved resource or building consent does not necessarily mean compliance with NZECP 34. 

NZECP 34 applies to temporary structures (including scaffolding) as well as permanent ones. Make sure you apply for a Close Approach Consent prior to erecting any structure that could involve working within 4 metres of our overhead lines or digging within 5 metres of a power pole, even if you know that the structure is compliant with NZECP 34.

If you're building something near our overhead lines and poles (within 8.5 metres – or less, depending on the voltage), you'll need to comply with the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances (NZECP 34:2001).

NZECP 34:2001 sets out minimum safe electrical distance requirements for overhead electric line installations.

Access NZECP 34

Do you know the circuit voltage(s) for the lines you're looking to build near?

Although not covered under the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances, it is still important for us to make an assessment prior to any construction taking place around electricity substations and other equipment. 

This is because we have a statutory right of access to our assets under the Electricity Act 1992, for maintenance purposes or in the event of a fault. The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 also has provisions for the protection of our equipment.

Please click here to contact us for advice if you're planning to build within:

• 500mm of an electrical pillar or pit (examples pictured)
• 1.5m of any type of substation (examples pictured).

Otherwise, you do not need to contact us unless you have any questions.

If you need to access a substation (for example, a we* transformer room (indoor substation) for maintenance purposes), please request a Close Approach Consent for a standover.

Although not covered under the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances, it is still important for us to make an assessment prior to any construction taking place above underground cables.

This is because we have a statutory right of access to our assets under the Electricity Act 1992, for maintenance purposes or in the event of a fault. The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 also has provisions for the protection of our equipment.

Please click here to contact us for advice. 

You must request underground cable plans through beforeUdig, then establish the location of buried services before commencing excavation. Find out more here (opens in new tab).

Parties such as road controlling authorities (RCAs) and some telecommunications providers (telcos) have arrangements in place with us for them to install equipment on our poles.

We typically don't permit any other party to attach items to our poles due to network reliability and safety considerations, but we might be able to provide special permission if you're an organisation providing similar essential services to those of RCAs or telcos.

This includes those wishing to attach items relating to traffic safety (like convex mirrors or temporary traffic signs), but you'll need to speak to your local council about these first.

Do you meet the above criteria?