6 March 2012

Christchurch power workers lend a hand in storm-struck Taranaki

After more than a year of emergency quake repairs to the Christchurch power network, electrical contracting company Connetics knows how important it is have enough people on hand to respond quickly in a crisis.

So when the weekend's 'weather bomb' cut power to thousands of homes and businesses in the North Island, Connetics was quick to fly four Christchurch-based Connetics staff to assist power lines company, Powerco, to get the power back on in South Taranaki and Whanganui. These staff joined Palmerston North-based Connetics staff already on the ground in the hard-hit area.

At the height of the Christchurch earthquake response, more than 700 electricity sector workers from throughout New Zealand and Australia helped with the recovery efforts.

"Given how our industry has rallied together to help Christchurch, it was an easy decision to send some of our guys to assist our friends and colleagues in the north," says Connetics Chief Executive, Jono Brent.

The weather bomb that hit much of the country over the weekend brought down around 600 overhead lines in South Taranaki and Whanganui, and a large number of poles were damaged. Power was cut to 30,000 customers.

As of this morning, Powerco reported that about 2,000 customers remained without power in South Taranaki and Whanganui.

Connetics staff are part of a 200-strong team working hard to get power back on.

"Our thoughts are with all those without power and who have suffered damage, and we're glad we can help out," concludes Mr Brent.

Connetics is an electrical contracting company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Orion New Zealand Limited.

Orion owns and operates the electricity distribution network in central Canterbury (including Christchurch) between the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers and transports electricity to more than 190,000 homes and businesses in this area.

ENDS

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