Crash causes power outages in Auckland

Houses in the North Shore suburb of Hillcrest are without power this afternoon after a car crashed into a pole this morning.

Vector began receiving complaints at around 9:23am.

The company initially estimated power would be restored by 11:30am, but houses on seven Hillcrest streets remained powerless this afternoon.

A spokeswoman from Vector said the delay was because the pole was carrying high voltage and low voltage lines, along with a street light, so the entire pole had to be replaced.

She could not say how many customers were affected, but said they could expect their power to be returned by 7:30pm today.