Power was cut to about 2300 customers in Wanganui yesterday when a tree branch caused damage to Powerco's electricity network.
Powerco Network Operations Manager Phil Marsh said the fault occurred around 3.35pm, affecting customers in and around the Wanganui Cemetery and Aramoho. Supply was restored by 4.25pm.
Mr Marsh said trees were responsible for more than 20 per cent of unplanned power outages and the majority of these problems could be avoided if tree owners called in the professionals to clear their trees from lines.
"Powerco is committed to providing a high quality of supply to our customers and if tree owners would play their part by having a Powerco-approved contractor cut away any branches growing too close to lines it would make a huge difference to the people of Wanganui.
"Power cuts like this one could have easily been avoided if tree owners would simply take their responsibility seriously. These incidents not only disrupt people's supply of electricity but they also pose a safety hazard so Powerco is urging people who have trees growing near lines to visit our website for the contact details of the local approved tree experts who can sort the problem."