Waipa Networks responded to 40 vehicle-versus-pole incidents in 2025.
Police are joining Waipā Networks in urging drivers to take extra care following a sharp rise in crashes involving power poles.
Waipa Networks responded to 40 vehicle-versus-pole incidents in 2025.
The electricity distribution company’s crews responded to 40 vehicle-versus-pole incidents in 2025, 12 more than the previous year and double the 13 responded to in 2023.
“The message is simple: slow down, stay alert, and drive to the conditions so everyone gets home safely,” said chief executive Sean Horgan.
“While wet roads, fog and fatigue are contributing factors, many of these crashes come down to driver behaviour. There are no specific trends; incidents have occurred across the network under all kinds of conditions and at varying speeds.”
About 80 per cent of Waipā Networks’ power poles are on the side of roads.
Waipa Networks chief executive Sean Horgan is urging drivers to take extra care.
“Every incident has a ripple effect. It’s not just about the driver; it impacts the wider community through power outages, repair time, and cost,” Horgan said.
Repairing damaged poles and lines can be costly in terms of power loss to homes and businesses and the materials and labour required to restore the network.
As is standard across the industry, Waipā Networks recovers those costs from those responsible.
“Because we’re 100 per cent community-owned, any costs that aren’t recovered ultimately come back to our customers through maintenance costs on their electricity bills. We’d much rather everyone stay safe and avoid those costs altogether.”
New Zealand Police area youth and community sergeant Felicity Cook-Jones said crashes involving power poles and power lines were time consuming and labour intensive.
“The road needs to be shut to ensure the safety of emergency services workers and the safety of other road users,” she said.
“Not every single crash will result in an infringement notice or a prosecution. It is dependent on the circumstances where factors such as driver licence conditions being met, alcohol impairment, drugged driving, distraction and speed are taken into account along with whether the vehicle being driven is safe to be on the road.
“Often police involvement is to ensure costs are recovered, if a culpable driver is insured the matter gets sorted out of court. If they aren’t then a prosecution with reparation sought may be sufficient.”
Motorists who are involved in a power pole crash should stay in their vehicle and call 111.
Waipa Networks responded to 40 vehicle-versus-pole incidents in 2025.
Waipa Networks responded to 40 vehicle-versus-pole incidents in 2025.
