Putting safety first means people come first. We want all of our customers, employees, contractors and the wider community to be safe around electricity – to always keep a safe distance from electrical equipment and take extra care when working around electricity.
Safety information
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Safety information
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Whether you have a tree that needs trimming or you're building a deck, before you start your next project, make sure you know what to do to stay safe around electricity. |
Working near or on our assets is dangerous; care must be taken at all times. We provide information to help you stay safe when you're working on or near our assets. |
Public safety advertising
We have a seasonal public safety campaign in place to help keep our customers and communities safe.
Look up before you go up!
Be smart around power lines. Call your electricity retailer and Aurora Energy will temporarily disconnect your service line for free, so you can do those jobs around home safely.

Keep well clear of all power lines – it could save your life! Call us before you start work near power lines, whether you’re on private or public property you’re required to follow the right, safe working practices.

Working near underground cables
Before you dig or install stakes in the ground, lodge your proposed works for free with beforeUdig via their website. beforeUdig is a one-stop-shop where you can get the location of electrical, telecommunication and water cables before you start work.

Always check for power cables. Avoid hitting underground cables or by operating machineray at a safe disntance and following safe work practices. Before you dig or work below ground, lodge your proposed works via www.beforeUdig.co.nz for free.

Trees growing near power lines
Trees growing near or through power lines are a major safety hazard and can cause power cuts. Working together, we can keep trees a safety distance from power lines. Always use an Aurora Energy approved contractor to safely trim or cut down trees growing within four metres of any power lines.



Stay safe during high winds
High winds can cause objects to fly into power lines which can cause power cuts. Please ensure you tie down your trampolines and outdoor furniture to prevent them from flying away during high winds. If you see a fallen power line, please don't touch it. Report it, call Aurora Energy on 0800 220 005.


Stay safe, call for help
If you hit a power pole, stay in the car or other vehicle and call 111. If your vehicle is on fire jump with both feet together as far away as reasonably practical without making contact with a downed line. Shuffle or make small jumps with your feet constantly together until you’re at least 10 metres from the vehicle.
If you come across an accident stay well clear of down lines and call 111 for help.

High loads on the roads
Always apply for approval at www.powerline.co.nz before moving tall structures of over 4.3 metres in height (like houses and boats) to ensure your load won’t come into contact with overhead power lines. powerline.co.nz is a South Island wide approval site that sends your request to all of the South Island power companies on your route.

Flying kites and climbing trees
Be smart around power lines. Make sure your kids know to always look up and check for power lines before flying kites or climbing trees.

Damaged electricity assets
Have you noticed the high voltage electrical assets in your neighbourhood?
They help deliver power to your house. There’s pillar boxes, distribution transformers, and power poles. Sometimes they get damaged. If it looks broken, don’t touch it. Report it.
Call Aurora Energy on 0800 22 00 05.