Power restored in Kaipara settlement Pahi after pole falls into creek overnight

A power pole fell into a creek at Pahi overnight, leaving more than 200 homes without power until about midday. Photo / Northpower

Power has been restored to the small Kaipara settlement of Pahi after a pole fell into a creek overnight.

More than 200 customers were left without power.

A Northpower spokeswoman said power was restored to the area at approximately 10.30am.

The incident was caused by “land subsidence” from flooding and “very wet conditions” over the last few months, “causing the soil in the area to subside into the creek along with the pole”.

“We had a crew working over night to install a new pole in an area where the ground was more stable and another crew this morning finishing the job by reinstating the lines and re-livening the power this morning,” she said.

According to the Northpower website, power was interrupted at 6pm, meaning residents were left without power overnight.

“Given the extent of the work required, we estimate that power will be restored by lunchtime today,” an update on the website earlier said.

“We understand this may be inconvenient and truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to restore services as quickly and safely as possible.”

Pahi is home to about 300 people, according to 2024 Statistics New Zealand data.

The settlement is at the end of a small peninsula in the Kaipara Harbour, about a 40-minute drive southeast of Dargaville.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.