Vector outages today

Vector, the network that powers one in three New Zealanders

Vector Limited owns and operates the electricity distribution network across Auckland, from Wellsford in the north to Papakura in the south, plus Waiheke Island. It is the largest electricity distributor in New Zealand, serving close to 600,000 connections across about 18,000 km of overhead lines and underground cables. The company is listed on the NZX under the ticker VCT.

Vector is not a retailer. Customers in Auckland still choose their electricity plan from Mercury, Genesis, Contact, Meridian, Electric Kiwi, Frank, Powershop or any other supplier. Vector delivers the power and restores it when the lights go out.

An Auckland-wide grid owned by 350,000 customers through a consumer trust

The Vector network covers all of Auckland, the country's economic engine, which represents about a third of the New Zealand population and around 38% of GDP. The grid mixes dense urban areas (Auckland CBD, North Shore, Manukau), suburban sprawl and a few rural extensions toward Wellsford and Waiheke Island.

• Around 600,000 electricity connection points (ICPs) on the network at 31 March 2024.
• Coverage from Wellsford and Warkworth in the north to Papakura in the south, plus Great Barrier and Waiheke Island.
• Around 18,000 km of overhead lines and underground cables.
• Owner of Auckland's natural gas distribution network and a fibre optic network focused on business customers.

Vector is 75.1% owned by Entrust (formerly the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust), a consumer trust whose beneficiaries are the 350,000 electricity customers in the Auckland, Manukau and Papakura areas. The remaining 24.9% trades on the NZX. Each year, Entrust pays a dividend of NZD 150 to 320 to every beneficiary.

Why Vector outages happen across Auckland

Auckland's geography (long coastlines, isthmus, volcanic terrain) and a temperate maritime climate shape the network's outage profile. Three drivers dominate.

Storms and ex-tropical cyclones

Auckland sits in the path of subtropical lows and ex-tropical cyclones. Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, the Auckland Anniversary floods earlier the same year and a series of severe summer storms have triggered some of the largest outage events on the network in the last decade.

Vegetation and tree contact

Suburban Auckland mixes mature pohutukawa, eucalyptus and exotic trees with overhead distribution lines. Vegetation contact is a major cause of unplanned outages, especially after storms. Vector runs a year-round tree trimming program with property owners.

Planned outages and growth-driven works

Auckland's rapid growth requires constant network reinforcement. Planned outages for substation upgrades, cable replacement and new subdivisions are notified in advance through the Vector website and email alerts.

A network preparing for electrification and a Tesla battery partnership

Vector's investment plan focuses on three priorities: replacing aging assets, accommodating distributed solar and electric vehicles, and adding flexibility through batteries and demand response. In 2017 the company launched a partnership with Tesla to deploy Powerpack and Powerwall batteries on the Auckland grid.

Vector also owns 50% of Bluecurrent (formerly Vector Metering), New Zealand's largest smart meter operator, which deploys advanced metering across most of the country. The other half belongs to Queensland Investment Corporation since June 2023.

Vector outage map, fault line and how to report a problem

Vector outage map

Vector publishes a near real-time outage map covering the whole Auckland region. Customers can search by address or postcode and see estimated restoration time, fault status and the number of affected homes.

24/7 fault line

For an electricity fault, dial 0508 832 867. For a gas leak or emergency, dial 0800 764 764. Both lines operate 24/7.

Outage alerts and planned works

Customers can subscribe to email or SMS alerts for unplanned outages and planned works on their street. Notifications include the planned start time, expected duration and the reason for the work.

Chorus fibre, One NZ legacy cable and Auckland internet providers

For a wider view of how the New Zealand electricity market works and where each lines company operates, see the New Zealand power outage page. For internet outages on the same Auckland footprint, fibre is mostly wholesaled by Chorus and retailed by Spark, One NZ (which also operates the legacy HFC cable network inherited from TelstraClear) and 2Degrees.