Early powercut for all to start wind warning period

EDIT - Marlborough Lines are reconnecting power step by step across Marlborough throughout the morning after Transpower restored power to their upper South Island substations just after 10am today. The whole region is expected to be reconnected by midday today.

Power is out across the entire region of Marlborough this morning, and the wider Top of the South, while the region remains under red and orange wind warnings through today.

Marlborough Lines was informed at 6.37 am of an issue from Transpower, the national grid provider with over 26,500 power connections being confirmed without power on the Marlborough Lines website.

Transpower has advised as of 9am that they’re currently working to resolve the issue affecting the network.

Marlborough Lines has announced they are gradually relivening the network and expect full restoration by midday.

Please treat all lines as live at all times, especially if any lines have come down — stay well clear and report any hazards immediately.

South Marlborough from Cape Campbell south, and Kaikoura are both under red wind warnings until this afternoon, while the remainder of Marlborough remains under an orange warning until 5pm tonight.

Metservice said for the red warning to expect up to 140km/h gusts in gale nor-westerlies, while the rest of the region can expect up to 130km/h gusts.

The Nelson Lakes National Park, Spenser Mountains and St Arnaud Range are also under a Heavy Rain Watch today.

Power is also out in Nelson, Tasman, the West Coast and North Canterbury due to the same issue.