Trees Near Power Lines

Trees near power lines

Trees that grow too close to power lines can cause serious problems. They can cause electric shock, fire, power outages and damage electricity infrastructure.

Keeping vegetation safely clear of power lines helps protect people and electricity infrastructure, and helps keep the lights on for you and your community.

The Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations set out the rules that tree owners and lines companies must follow when managing trees near power lines. These regulations are part of New Zealand law.

This page explains the main rules, including what tree owners need to know. If you're unsure about a tree near a power line, please contact us before doing any work.

Phone: 0800 440 220
Email: service@networkwaitaki.co.nz 

If there is immediate danger

Call 111 immediately if there is an emergency.

Never touch a power line, and never touch a tree or branch that is touching a power line. If you come across downed lines, never approach or attempt to clear them yourself. Stay at least 10 metres away and call 111.

You should also contact us immediately if:

• a tree or branch has fallen onto a power line
• a tree looks like it could fall onto a power line soon
• a power line is down, damaged, or hanging low
• branches are touching lines
• someone is at risk of coming into contact with the line.

Who is responsible for a tree near a power line?

In most cases, the tree owner is responsible for making sure their tree doesn’t grow too close to power lines. A tree owner is usually the person who owns the land where the tree is growing.

As your local lines company, we have responsibilities too. These include:

• carrying out line and vegetation surveys
• providing information about the rules
• issuing hazard warning notices and cut or trim notices where the regulations allow or require
• responding to electricity hazards
•  in some cases, meeting the cost of certain work required under the regulations.

How the rules apply 

The regulations use several zones around power lines. These zones help determine when trees must be trimmed, when notices can be issued, and what restrictions apply.

Trees growing too close to a power line

The regulations include three zones around a power line. These help explain when vegetation is getting too close and when it needs to be cut back.

• Growth limit zone: The space immediately around a power line that must be kept clear of vegetation. The size and shape of the growth limit zone depends on the voltage of the line and, in some cases, the span length of the line.
  
  
• Cut-back zone: This extends 1 metre out from the growth limit zone. If a tree is growing into the growth limit zone, it needs to be trimmed back far enough to reach the cut-back zone unless a dispensation applies.
  
  
• Hazard warning notice zone: This extends 2 metres out from the growth limit zone. If vegetation enters this zone, we may issue a hazard warning notice to alert the tree owner.

If a tree qualifies for its first cut or trim under the regulations, we will pay for that work. After that, keeping the tree clear of the power line - and paying for any trimming that’s needed - is the tree owner’s responsibility. 

Different rules can apply in some circumstances, so check with us if you are unsure.

Trees that could fall into a power line

The treefall hazard zone is an area that extends 24 metres from the growth limit zone.

Trees within this zone may be assessed by a lines company. This does not mean every tree in the zone is a hazard. It means the tree may be assessed if there is concern that, because of its condition, size or location, it could fall onto the power line.  A formal treefall hazard notice can only be issued if the tree is assessed as a moderate or high hazard.

Treefall hazard notices will not be issued before 23 July 2028. Before then, we may use voluntary processes to discuss hazardous trees with tree owners. These voluntary processes are separate from the formal treefall hazard notice power in the regulations.

Planting a new tree near a power line

On 23 July 2027, a low height planting rule comes into effect. This means you must not plant a tree if you reasonably expect it could grow taller than its distance from the power line. 

The low height planting zone extends 24 metres horizontally from the power line.

If you plant a tree in breach of this rule:

• you may be liable for damages
• you may be responsible for the cost if the tree later needs to be cut, trimmed or removed
• you cannot use a ‘no-interest’ tree notice to transfer responsibility for managing the tree to the lines company. 

The planting restriction does not apply to trees that grow naturally. However, if a self-sown tree within the low height planting zone later needs to be cut, trimmed or removed, the tree owner may be responsible for the cost.

There are some exceptions. The low height planting zone does not apply:

• on existing forest land
• in urban areas
• to shelterbelts
• on land administered under the Conservation Act 1987.

Not sure whether your property is in an urban area? Check your district plan or contact your local council.

Vegetation growing above the line - 'clear to sky'

For some power lines, the growth limit zone extends vertically above the line as well as around it. This is known as 'clear to sky' and means vegetation must also be kept clear above the line.

Clear to the sky already applies to higher-voltage lines in both urban and non-urban areas. From 17 October 2026, it will also apply to lines at 11 kV or below outside urban areas.

What happens if a tree grows too close to a line?

If a tree is too close to a power line, we may contact the tree owner. Depending on the situation, this may include:

• providing information or advice 
• issuing a hazard warning notice
• requiring the tree to be cut back 
• taking further action allowed under the regulations if the issue is not addressed.

The exact process depends on the type of risk and which rules apply. If you receive a notice, it's important to read it carefully and act within the required timeframe.

Tree notices and what they mean

What if I disagree with a notice or assessment?

Different review or dispute options may be available depending on the type of notice or issue.

For some matters under the regulations, disputes may be referred to the Tree Arbitrator. The WorkSafe website lists the current Tree Arbitrator and further information. Some issues may also be raised with Utilities Disputes, depending on the complaint.

If you disagree with a notice you receive, contact us as soon as possible so the next steps can be explained.

Offences and penalties

Tree owners can be fined if they do not meet certain requirements under the regulations.

Cut or trim notices

A tree owner might commit an offence if, without reasonable excuse, they:

• do not have a tree cut or trimmed as required by a cut or trim notice
• do not tell us the time and location of the work at least three working days before it takes place. 

If convicted, the tree owner may be fined up to $10,000. If the offence continues, a further fine of up to $500 for every day or part of a day may apply.

Treefall hazard notices - from 23 July 2028

From 23 July 2028, a tree owner may commit an offence if, without reasonable excuse, they:

• do not have a tree removed within the timeframe required by a treefall hazard notice
• do not tell us the time and location of the removal as required. 

If convicted, the tree owner may be fined up to $10,000.

Low height planting zone

Not complying with the low height planting zone restrictions is not itself an offence. However, it may affect who is responsible for the cost of future tree trimming or removal and the options available to the tree owner under the regulations.

Can I trim or remove the tree myself?

If you, the tree, or any tools or equipment could come within 4 metres of a power line, do not attempt the work yourself. Contact us first.

Cutting or removing trees near live power lines is dangerous. It can lead to serious injury, electric shock, fire, power outages, and damage to property or electricity infrastructure. Trees or branches can fall or swing unexpectedly, and electricity can arc to nearby objects even without direct contact.

Work near power lines may need to be carried out by a qualified contractor, or the line may need to be isolated before work begins.

If you're unsure, contact us before doing any work.

Approved Tree Workers

Arborists:
• Network Waitaki Vegetation (03 433 0065)
• Apogee Tree Services - Francis (027 460 6472)

Mobile Mechanical tree/hedge Trimming:
• Hedgetek/K South (Kerry): 021 172 5659

Forestry / Mechanical Tree Felling:
• Purvis Earthworks (Grant): 027 497 7091

Can a lines company enter my property?

In some circumstances, the regulations allow us to enter land to inspect trees or carry out work.

If access is needed, we will follow the relevant legal requirements and local process. In some situations relating to treefall hazard removal, we may also ask for the tree owner’s consent to enter the property and remove the tree.

If you have questions about access, please contact us.

Other important information to note:

Council Trees

Waitaki District Council has its own contractors to undertake tree work. For any enquiries regarding council trees and power lines contact Waitaki District Council on 0800 108 081.

Tree Felling or Forestry Work 

Any forestry work which requires tree felling within 2 tree lengths of a power line must have written approval by Network Waitaki. This is a requirement of Worksafe New Zealand.

Frequently asked questions

If you still have questions please read through our Frequently ask questions.

Need some advice?

If you have questions about managing your trees near power lines, please feel free to contact us:

General enquiries, faults and emergencies: 0800 440 220
Email: service@networkwaitaki.co.nz