In a state of shock

Electricity distributors warn of the serious dangers of deteriorating infrastructure

Ageing, rotting and rusting power poles on private urban and rural properties are dangerous and the risk of people being electrocuted or hit by falling poles is growing every year, electricity distributors are warning.

The Electricity Networks Association (ENA), the voice of 27 New Zealand electricity distributors such as Auckland’s Vector, Powerco and WEL Networks, said in cities and on farms much of the infrastructure carrying electricity from the road power connection to houses, buildings and dairy sheds is getting old and in “a bad state”. The infrastructure causing alarm includes aged power poles, crossbars, insulators and rusting metal fittings.

“These assets are dangerous,” said ENA chief executive Graeme Peters.

The problem has become acute because of lack of maintenance and repair by property owners who don’t realise that by law, and as interpreted by the Commerce Commission, it’s their responsibility to maintain, repair and keep trees away from poles and lines on their land, he said.

There are the householders and farmers who know but don’t want to pay for the upkeep or repairs, or don’t have the money to do so. And where there are several properties down a right-ofway, a common residential situation in Auckland, multiple owners may not be able to agree on cost responsibility so nothing gets done, Peters said.

Recent storms highlighted the deteriorating state of the private property infrastructure when trees have toppled failing poles and lines. Vector, the country’s biggest electricity distributor, said the issue contributed to its heavy workload and delays in restoring power after this month’s storm damage across Auckland.

“We’re really concerned there is going to be a bad accident. Someone is going to be electrocuted, someone is