Safety and Trees
Trees near power lines
Trees that grow too close to power lines can be a serious problem. They can cause electric shock, fire, power outages and damage electricity infrastructure.
Keeping vegetation safely clear of power lines helps protect people and helps keep the lights on for you and your community.
The Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations set out the rules that tree owners and lines companies must follow when managing trees near power lines. These regulations are part of New Zealand law.
This section of the website explains the main rules, including what tree owners need to know. If you're unsure about a tree near a power line, please contact us before doing any work.
If there is immediate danger
Call 111 immediately if there is an emergency.
Never touch a power line, and never touch a tree or branch that is touching a power line. If you come across downed lines, never approach or attempt to clear them yourself. Stay at least 10 metres away and call 111.
You should also contact us immediately if:
- a tree or branch has fallen onto a power line
- a tree looks like it could fall onto a power line soon
- a power line is down, damaged, or hanging low
- branches are touching lines
- someone is at risk of coming into contact with the line.
Who is responsible for a tree near a power line?
In most cases, the tree owner is responsible for making sure their tree doesn’t grow too close to power lines. A tree owner is usually the person who owns the land where the tree is growing.
As your local lines company, we have responsibilities too.
These include:
- carrying out line and vegetation surveys
- providing information about the rules
- issuing hazard warning notices and cut or trim notices where the regulations allow or require
- responding to electricity hazards
in some cases, meeting the cost of certain work required under the regulations.
Trees near our network lines
We monitor trees growing close to our network lines and will send you a First Cut or Trim Notice, or a Cut or Trim Notice, if your tree is too close.
Keeping trees clear of lines keeps everyone safe. That’s why it’s important trim or cut your trees when we ask you to. If you don’t act on a notice within the given timeframe, you could face a fine of up to $10,000, plus an additional $500 per day until the work is completed. You may also be liable for any costs associated with damage to power lines or equipment caused by your tree. Please work with us to keep our network safe.
Trees near your service line
Property owners are responsible for ensuring that trees do not encroach on private service lines, which are usually low voltage (230 V or 400 V). We will not issue notices for trees encroaching on these lines.
Working near power lines is dangerous and those cutting trees near live lines are at risk of electrocution or serious injury. If you need to trim trees near a service line, you can request a Safety Disconnection from Unison to make sure it's done safely (some conditions may apply). Your local arborist may also be approved to work near power lines, so consider using them for the job.
What happens if a tree grows too close to a line?
If a tree is too close to a power line, we may contact the tree owner. Depending on the situation, this may include:
- providing information or advice
- issuing a hazard warning notice
- requiring the tree to be cut back
- taking further action allowed under the regulations if the issue is not addressed.
The exact process depends on the type of risk and which rules apply. If you receive a notice, it's important to read it carefully and act within the required timeframe.