Palmerston North homes and businesses affected by a lightning strike
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
A lightning struck at the Transpower Linton grid exit point in Palmerston North, leaving thousands of homes and businesses without power. 13 minutes the power was out, but Powerco managed to restore power to homes in just 30 minutes, and the electricity went back on at 9.30am.
A Powerco spokesman said about 10,750 people lost power on Wednesday morning, including at Massey University and parts of the central business district. Highbury and Riverdale were also affected.
A Transpower spokeswoman said the outage was due to lightning striking the circuit.
Related news
Kiwis want solar power, but upfront costs remain a major barrier, PowerCompare.co.nz survey finds
New survey reveals strong interest in residential solar, with more than half of respondents without solar already considering making the switch.
03/11/2026
NZ Election 2026: Which Parties Are Promising Solar Loans and Cheaper Power?
Which Parties Are Promising Solar Loans and Cheaper Power? We summarise the key points and policies to help keep you informed.
22/10/2026
Power bills are starting to change from 30 October — here’s what the new improvements will mean
Power bills are not exactly famous for being easy to understand. Between daily charges, per-kWh rates, discounts, estimated readings and different plan names, it...
06/10/2026
