Power cut to about 90,000 households

Photo: File image

A significant power cut is affecting about 90,000 households in the South Island.

RNZ reports the power cut has affected people from Nelson and Blenheim to Hanmer and Greymouth.

In Nelson, traffic lights are out and people are urged to drive with extra caution.

Marlborough Lines says at least 26,000 properties are without power.

Energy Minister Simon Watts says Transpower has advised him they are still investigating the cause of the fault, but its likely to be the severe winds.

He says they're working to restore supply.

Transpower executive general manager Mark Ryall told

Nine to Noon

there were three big transmission circuits for the upper South Island which had all tripped.

About 90,000 households were believed to be impacted.

Ryall said one circuit had been lost overnight, the second also went down and the third tripped at 7.45am today.

He said two were now working again.

Ryall hoped power would be back in the next couple of hours by 11am.

"We're working really hard to stay on top of this but unfortunately transmission lines in severe weather can trip for a number of reasons."