225,000 people are currently without power across New Zealand and the widespread damage looks as if it could take a few days to repair.
Energy companies are warning people to prepare for significant time without power.
Transpower Chief Executive Alison Andrews told Mike Hosking their national network has held up reasonably well, but local networks are more difficult to fix.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mark the Week: You can't start any better than the Warriors have
02:23

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the latest in the Middle East conflict, Israel's attack on Iran's gas fields
05:38

Mike's Minute: The worst week for Trump's war
02:05