Crash damages more than wind

The driver of this Toyota Corolla stayed in his seat until firefighters assured him the power lines were dead.

Electricity suppliers, Top Energy were pleased with performance of the network this week despite wild weather and a car crash on Okaihau Hill, which cut power to more than 400 homes.

Top Energy spokesman Peter Heath said the bad weather on Monday night and Tuesday morning resulted in just one small outage on the Top Energy network, affecting 32 customers in Moerewa.

"To us, this says two things," Mr Heath said. "Firstly, our ongoing investment in strengthening the network continues to bear fruit.

"But secondly, and much more importantly, it demonstrates graphically the benefits from people to keep vegetation on their properties clear of lines. Last year's massive storms knocked a great many trees on to lines and so, when the wind blew and the rain fell last night, there were fewer trees left to fall."

The power cut struck Moerewa at 6.05am on Tuesday and was restored by lunchtime. Homes in Matawaia, Ngapipito and Pokapu were also affected.

In contrast however, Mr Heath said the network could not cope with a car which struck a pole near Ohaeawai on Tuesday morning and knocked out the power to 460 customers.

The affected area included part of Okaihau, Umawera, Waihou Valley, Mangamuka and even Peria on the other side of the Mangamuka Ranges, Horeke in South Hokianga, and a large swathe of North Hokianga including Broadwood, Kohukohu, Motukiore and Panguru.

The accident, just after 7am, left the broken pole resting on top of the Toyota Corolla and live high-voltage lines hanging at head height over one lane of State Highway 1.

Okaihau fire chief Andrew Graham said the driver, a young man, was uninjured but stayed in the car for about 20 minutes until firefighters could assure him the lines were no longer live.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.