No electricity for nearly a week is taking its toll on the Wells family of Awanui who are forced to drive to Kaitaia daily for hot showers and to recharge phones and computers.
Raechel Wells said after being without power since 11am on Tuesday, she was "totally over it" with Far North lines' company Top Energy continuously pushing back estimated times when electricity would be back on.
Since they source water from a tank that runs off power, the family had no running water and had resorted to filling up their containers at her husband Anthony's workplace where they also have their showers. It's about a 5km drive to Kaitaia from their home.
Mrs Wells said while it was a difficult time for her family she was mindful of other families in a similar situation- some of whom may be worse off than them.
"It is frustrating but we're managing as long as I don't have to boil water for my kids to drink. We have to go to my husband's work in Kaitaia to fill up the containers and we go to the library to recharge the laptop so the kids have something to watch in the evening," she said.