Trees near powerlines
We prioritise the safety and reliability of our network to keep the lights on. Trees are a significant factor in causing power outages, and that’s why we adhere to strict regulations regarding tree management near power lines.
General Tree Enquiry
The Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003 set out the obligations of tree owners and Counties Energy and prescribe the minimum safe distances for trees growing near network power lines.
Under the regulations, landowners are legally obliged to keep trees on their property from encroaching the notice zone of a power line. Counties Energy will carry out the ‘first cut’ of a tree near power lines for free, then the owner is responsible and liable for the costs of any future maintenance of the tree to ensure it does not encroach on a Notice Zone.
Tree owners may face penalties if they fail to maintain their trees’ clearance and this results in damage to power lines or equipment.
Counties Energy will carry out the ‘first cut’ of a tree near power lines for free, then the owner is responsible and liable for the costs of any future maintenance of the tree to ensure it does not encroach on a Notice Zone. Tree owners may face penalties if they fail to maintain their trees’ clearance and this results in damage to power lines or equipment.
If your tree is growing within the Cutback or Notice Zone (Tree A in the diagram below), you may get a legal notice saying your trees must be trimmed soon because they’re getting too close to power equipment. Should they reach the Growth Limit Zone (Tree B in the diagram below), you will get a legal notice requiring them to be trimmed.
Choosing to ignore a Cut or Trim notice and failing to comply with it is an offence under the Tree Regulations and can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and up to $500 per day/part day the offence continues. Also, if our lines are damaged because you failed to comply with the Tree Regulations, you will be liable for the cost of repairs.
Defining what is too close
In October 2024, the Regulations were updated to increase the minimum safe distances between trees and power lines, and a new ‘clear to the sky’ requirement for some trees. There is a grace period relating to these until 16 October 2026.
In the diagram shown:
1. These distances are from the power line, not the power pole
2. In most instances, the power lines that go to a house or building are low-voltage power lines
3. Power lines that go down a street may be low or high voltage
4. For spans greater than 150 metres additional clearances apply
Declaring no interest
In some situations, you can avoid the expense and responsibility of tree trimming by declaring no interest in a tree near powerlines owned by Counties Energy.
Declaring no interest is governed under sections 15, 16 and 17 of the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulation 2003.
To declare no interest in a tree, please submit the form below for your application to be assessed by Counties Energy no later than 10 working days after the date on your Cut or Trim Notice.
If your tree meets the criteria within the regulations, Counties Energy will take over all responsibility for trimming, cutting or removing the tree.
Urgent Tree Trims
Electricity distributors such as Counties Energy have responsibilities for safety and power supply reliability.
- If a tree poses an immediate threat to safety or to the reliability of power supply, Counties Energy or its contractors may trim the tree, without asking the tree owner, in accordance with section 14 of the tree regulations.
Fines of up to $10,000 for not responding to notices
Under the Tree Regulations, doing nothing is not an option if you receive a Cut or Trim notice. A tree owner is obligated to action a first cut or trim notice or subsequent cut or trim notices.
If the tree owner fails to act on this notice, under the ‘offences committed by a tree owner’ the tree owner is liable in conviction up to $10,000 and up to $500 per day/part day the offence continues.
Trimming or felling trees around power lines is very dangerous and could result in electrocution or serious injury. To trim a tree growing within four metres of a power line, by law, only qualified and approved arborists are permitted to undertake this work.
If all parts of the tree are more than four metres away from overhead lines, you can safely trim the tree yourself or hire an arborist to trim the tree for you.
If any part of the tree is within four metres of the line, or you have received a cut or trim notice from Counties Energy, you must engage the services of an approved arborist who is authorised to work near power lines, ensuring both your safety and the safety of others.
Tree owners may apply to Counties Energy for dispensation from cutting or trimming the tree within the Growth Limit Zone. Any application must be made no later than five working days from the receipt date of notice, via letter to Private Bag 4, Pukekohe 2340 or by email at treeservices@countiesenergy.co.nz
The tree owner may apply to an arbitrator if dispensation is not granted, or if the tree owner disagrees with the terms of any dispensation. Any application must be made no later than five working days from receipt of notice regarding that dispensation.