Power back on in Far North

Power has been restored to the Far North and cellphone coverage is also returning after a power outage earlier today.

Vodafone technicians were switching cell sites over from back-up generators to mains power.

All but two sites - Ahipara and Omapere - were back online, a Vodafone spokeswoman said.

The power cut closed schools and business across the region. More than 32,000 homes and businesses were affected.

Hospitals used generators and the Far North District Council advised people not to flush toilets.

The outage began at 3am and was reportedly caused by sabotage.

Transpower said police had been advised after crews discovered the fault on the transmission lines was caused by someone shooting glass insulators high on three transmission towers.

Workers this morning found bullet casings near the damaged pylons.

In a statement, police said Northland CIB had been notified of the damage caused to the three transmission towers, and were making further enquiries.

They added that they hoped to provide an update later today.

Transpower spokeswoman Rebecca Wilson said the damage was in a remote area between Maungatapere and Kaikohe, and bad weather and the rugged terrain hampered access by repair crews, who had to inspect each tower by foot.