What to do when your power goes out?
A step by step guide from your local Auckland electrician.
25/05/2026 - Matt Turner
The lights go out. The fridge stops humming. Whether it's a stormy Auckland night or a quiet Tuesday afternoon, losing power can feel stressful if you're not sure what to do next.
The good news is that most power cuts are simple to deal with, and in plenty of cases you'll have power back within minutes by following a few basic steps.
Here's what to do, in order.
STEP 1: FIGURE OUT WHETHER IT'S YOUR HOUSE OR THE WHOLE STREET
This is the most important first step and it takes less than 30 seconds.
Look outside and check whether your neighbours have lights on. If the street is dark and the streetlights are out, the fault is with Auckland's electricity network, not your home's wiring. That means you call your network company, not an electrician.
If your neighbours do have power, the problem is almost certainly inside your property. That's when you head to your switchboard or fuse box.
STEP 2: CHECK YOUR SWITCHBOARD OR FUSE BOARD
Your switchboard is usually in the garage, hallway, laundry, or on an exterior wall. Open the panel and look for any breakers that have flipped off or are sitting in the middle.
To reset a tripped breaker:
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Switch it fully off first, then firmly back on
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If it holds, keep an eye on it for the next hour
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If it trips again straight away, switch it off and leave it
A breaker that keeps tripping points to a fault such as a faulty appliance, overloaded circuit, or wiring issue. At that point, call a licensed electrician.
Also check your RCD switches (the wider ones with a test button). If one has tripped, reset it the same way.
GOT AN OLDER HOME? HERE'S WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A FUSE BOARD
Fuse boards are a bit more involved than a modern switchboard. Unlike a circuit breaker that trips and resets with the flick of a switch, the only way to check whether a fuse has blown is to pull it out and inspect the underside.
That said, this is something we'd strongly recommend leaving alone. Directly behind each fuse are live electrical connections, and one small slip of the finger is all it takes to get a nasty shock.
Please don't attempt to inspect your fuse board yourself. Give us a call and we'll sort it out safely.
STEP 3: WHO TO CALL FOR A STREET-LEVEL OUTAGE IN AUCKLAND
Your power retailer (the company you pay your bill to, like Contact, Genesis, or Mercury) cannot restore your power. They handle billing only.
For actual outages, you need to contact your network company.
Most of Auckland is covered by Vector. If you're in the south Auckland or Pukekohe area, it may be Counties Power.
• Vector: 0508 832 867 | vector.co.nz/outages (live outage map)
• Counties Power: 0800 220 106
Vector's outage map is worth checking first. It shows current faults in your area and gives an estimated restoration time. Often, a crew is already on the way.
STEP 4: UNPLUG SENSITIVE APPLIANCES BEFORE POWER RETURNS
When electricity comes back after an outage, voltage spikes in the first few seconds are common and can damage electronics. While you're waiting, switch off or unplug:
• Computers, monitors, and TVs
• Gaming consoles
• Washing machines and dishwashers
• Heat pumps and air conditioning units
Leave one light on so you know the moment power returns, then plug everything else back in once it's been stable for a minute or two.
FOOD SAFETY DURING A POWER CUT
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A closed fridge will keep food safe for around four hours.
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A full, closed freezer can hold temperature for up to 48 hours. A half-full freezer, around 24 hours.
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When in doubt, throw it out.
WHEN TO CALL AN ELECTRICIAN VS YOUR NETWORK COMPANY
Call Vector or your network company when:
• The outage affects your street or neighbourhood
• Power lines or poles are down near your property
Call a licensed electrician when:
• The outage is isolated to your home only
• A circuit breaker keeps tripping and won't stay on
• You have partial power (some lights work, others don't)
• There are signs of burning or unusual smells near your switchboard
• Power is back on the street but your property still has nothing
Call Matt
If you've worked through the steps above and still can't get your power back on, it's time to call a licensed electrician.
Give me a call on 021 2683 110.
We'll do some quick fault finding over the phone to get a better idea of what's going on, then get you booked in as soon as possible to get the issue sorted and your power back on.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why does my power keep going out in one room only?
If a single circuit keeps losing power, something on that circuit is likely drawing too much current, or there's a fault in the wiring or an appliance. A licensed electrician can trace the circuit and find the cause.
Can I reset my switchboard myself?
Yes, resetting a tripped breaker or RCD is safe to do yourself. The risk comes from repeatedly resetting a breaker that keeps tripping, or from touching anything beyond the breaker switches themselves.
Why do I only have partial power?
This usually points to a specific circuit that has tripped, or a fault with the incoming supply on one of the two phases your home uses. Check the switchboard first. If everything looks fine there, call an electrician.
How long do Auckland power outages usually last?
Planned maintenance outages typically last two to four hours. Unplanned outages caused by faults or storms vary widely, but Vector aims to restore most faults within a few hours.
Get In Touch Now
If you have any electrical questions or need our services, feel free to contact us. Our team is ready to assist you with all your electrical needs.
We normally reply within 3 hrs. But, if it's urgent or you would just like to talk to us on the phone, Call us on 021 2683 110.