There are rules about safe distances between trees and power lines. As a property owner, you are responsible for keeping the trees clear of power lines at your property. 

The Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003 require all local electricity distribution companies to make sure tree owners know trees must not grow too close to power lines. These regulations give the clearances needed for trees from powerlines.

The Growth Limit Zone (GLZ) is the space around a power line that trees must not grow into or encroach even in windy and stormy conditions. It is not safe for you to cut trees that have grown into the Growth Limit Zone.

The table below gives the clearances needed between the closest part of a tree and power lines. The clearances needed varies with the voltage of lines - the higher the voltage the larger the clearance. The clearance required also increases with long spans of power lines. Contact our vegetation team if you want to check the voltage of power lines near your trees.

If you receive a Cut or Trim (CT) Notice, it will detail the tree(s) at your property that are too close to the power lines and explain your options.

You will need to choose whether to have your trees trimmed or felled. Network Tasman offers the first trim free. After that, it is your responsibility to make sure the tree doesn't grow too close again. If you decide you don't want to keep the tree we offer a free fell.

You are required to complete the notice and return it to Network Tasman.
See the frequently asked questions for more information.

Don't be tempted to trim or fell any trees that have grown into the Growth Limit Zone of power lines. If you cut trees close to live power lines, you can get a SEVERE ELECTRIC SHOCK. Power lines are dangerous!

Only use tree contractors that are qualified and approved to work near live power lines and to trim or fell trees that have grown into the Growth Limit Zone.

Network Tasman approved tree contractor:
Treescape - 03 544 0588

When surveying the power lines our vegetation surveyors look for tree hazards such as damaged branches in trees that could fall onto the power lines. Also, trees that are in fall distance that are showing an increasing risk to the lines due to wind damage, declining health, increase in size or changes to the surrounding environment (erosion). 

These trees do not come under the regulations so we do not issue CT notices for them. However, they can cause extensive power outages and damage to lines and poles. 

Owners of high-risk trees will be contacted by our surveyors to discuss the options. In many cases, we offer assistance with felling high-risk trees. Please contact our vegetation department to report any tree hazards. 

See the frequently asked questions for more information.

Avoid planting trees and shrubs that will grow close to powerlines or that will pose a future fall distance hazard to overhead power lines. We recommend that fast-growing species such as Gums, Pines, Wattles, Willows, Poplars etc are not planted close to power lines.

Carefully planning your planting will avoid trees having to be trimmed or removed when they grow too close to powerlines. Make sure you know where any underground electricity cables are at your property and do not plant trees or shrubs near them. Think before you dig! For more information, please go to our Excavation page.

If you are calling about an interruption to your power supply or a fault, please call
 the toll free number (0800 508 100) for our 24hr Fault Response Line