Less power for shower

Record electricity use in the top of the South Island has been blamed for lukewarm showers in Nelson.

Network Tasman chief executive Wayne Mackey said the exceptionally cold weather forced the company to cut back power to hot-water cylinders.

Such cuts were usually made for a few hours each morning and evening, but on Monday they lasted most of the day.

"People with small cylinders, very low storage temperatures, or old cylinders without good insulation may have had only warm water rather than hot."

Mr Mackey said such an event might happen once a winter.