A lightning strike in Hawke’s Bay on Saturday afternoon caused a widespread power outage, leaving approximately 55,000 customers without electricity. The strike impacted Transpower’s equipment, causing the tripping of two key circuits: Tauhara Wairakei and Wairakei Whirinaki. The resulting grid failure affected supply to both the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti regions, creating significant disruptions for residents and businesses alike.
In response, Transpower declared a grid emergency and collaborated with local line companies to address the outage. The power cut began at 2:49 PM, and restoration efforts were completed by 5:20 PM. Power was gradually restored to affected areas as crews worked to ensure the stability of the grid. Transpower apologized for the inconvenience and assured the public that efforts were made to minimize downtime.
The outage had a notable impact on businesses across Hawke’s Bay. Restaurants, cafes, and shops were forced to close temporarily due to the lack of electricity. In Napier, some fast-food outlets suspended their drive-through services. Essential services like hospitals and emergency response systems relied on backup generators to continue operations during the outage.
Transpower acknowledged the challenges posed by lightning strikes, which are a common natural hazard for New Zealand’s power infrastructure. While the system is designed to handle most disruptions, the unpredictable nature of such weather events can occasionally overwhelm safeguards. Officials reassured residents that their systems are regularly maintained to mitigate risks.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of power networks to extreme weather events. As severe weather becomes increasingly frequent, utility companies face growing pressure to strengthen their infrastructure and response capabilities. For now, the residents of Hawke’s Bay can resume normal activities as power has been restored, but the event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable impact of nature.
