Everyone who works near overhead power lines has a legal requirement to maintain the minimum safe distance from them.

When you plan to work near overhead lines or power poles, you must follow the minimum safe distances set out in the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances (NZECP 34:2001) – available to download below.

Follow the four metre rule: All activity must be kept at least 4 metres away from overhead lines. If you need to work closer to our overhead lines, you must get a Close Approach Consent.

You can also arrange to have your own power supply temporarily disconnected – for example, if you’re going to be working on a roof close to where the service line connects to your house.

To arrange this, just call your electricity retailer at least 2 working days beforehand to arrange a temporary disconnection, which we’ll then undertake free of charge. Note that your retailer might charge an administration fee to process the request.