Trees near power lines
Trees and power lines are not a good mix.
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.
If you do come across low-hanging or downed power lines, keep people and animals well clear and report it to us on the 0800 number below or call 111.
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 contact us immediately if:
- A tree or branch is touching, or 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
Normal quick links
Cut or Trim notices
Declare no interest in a tree
Close approach
Forestry
Approved contractors
FAQs
Tree responsibility
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.
If your tree grows too close, you must get it trimmed by an approved contractor.
Our responsibilities
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 one 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 two metres out from the growth limit zone. If vegetation enters this zone, we may issue a hazard warning notice to alert the tree owner.
| Overhead line voltage | Growth limit zone | Cut-back zone | Notice zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power lines (230–400 V) | 0.5m | 1.5m | 2.5m |
| High voltage lines (6.6kV) | 1.6m | 2.6m | 3.6m |
| High voltage lines (11kV) | 1.6m | 2.6m | 3.6m |
| High voltage lines (33kV)* | 2.5m | 3.5m | 4.5m |
| High voltage lines (50–66 kV)* | 3.0m | 4.0m | 5.0m |
| High voltage lines (66kV or more)* | 4.0m | 5.0m | 6.0m |
Vegetation growing above a power line - 'clear to the 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 the 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.
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 / your local lines company] 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.
Note: For spans greater than 150 meters additional clearances apply.
*'Clear to the sky' requirement. Trees protected by district plans are excluded from the 'clear to the sky' requirement.
Trees that could fall into a power line _ NEW PAGE
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.
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 / your local lines company] the time and location of the removal as required.
If convicted, the tree owner may be fined up to $10,000.
Planting a new tree near a power line -NEW PAGE
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
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.
Not sure whether your property is in an urban area? Check your district plan or contact your local council.
Tree notices and what they mean - split in two
| Notice / process | When it may be used | What it means | What the tree owner may need to do | Who pays? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazard warning notice | Vegetation has entered the hazard warning notice zone. | This is a warning that the tree is getting too close. | Monitor the situation and act before the tree reaches the growth limit zone. | n/a |
| Cut or trim notice | Vegetation has entered the growth limit zone. | The tree must be cut back as required by the notice. | Arrange for the tree to be cut safely and notify the lines company as required. | If the tree qualifies for its first cut or trim under the regulations, the lines company will pay for that work. After that, ongoing trimming is generally the tree owner’s responsibility. See section below titled “offences and penalties.” |
| Treefall hazard notice (from 23 July 2028) Before this date, discussions with tree owners about hazardous trees will be voluntary |
After written advice from a qualified and experienced arborist about the likelihood of the tree falling, a tree in the treefall hazard area has been assessed as a moderate or high hazard. | The tree must be removed within the timeframe set by the regulations. | Work with the lines company on safe removal as per the notice. A moderate hazard tree must be removed within 45 working days. A high hazard tree must be removed within 25 working days. | In most cases, the lines company meets the reasonable cost of removing the tree and associated debris. However, there are exceptions. For example, if a tree was planted unlawfully in the low height planting zone, the tree owner may be responsible for the cost. |
| No-interest tree notice | In certain situations, an owner or occupier may say they have no interest in the tree. If you have already received a cut or trim notice or, from 23 July 2028, a treefall hazard notice, the no-interest notice must generally be given within 10 working days. | This may affect who carries out the work and who manages the tree next. | Follow the process and timeframes in the regulations and any local guidance. |
Powerco approved tree contractors
Working near power lines is dangerous. That's why any tree within 4m of lines must be trimmed by an approved contractor. You can be prosecuted under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 for attempting to carry out tree trimming work yourself.
The contractor will provide you with a quote and can let you know how to get a temporary power isolation (disconnection) to your property so they can work safely. They can also let you know if you're eligible for the first cut to be free.
Manawatū, Taihape, Raetihi
| Contractor | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Arb Innovations Ltd | 0800 272 583 | arbinnovations.co.nz |
| Treesmart | 0800 80 80 39 or 021 882 581 | treesmart.co.nz |
| Tree Truck Ltd | 027 607 9666 | treetruck.co.nz |
Taranaki
| Contractor | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Asplundh | 0800 4277 583 | asplundh.co.nz |
| Tree Truck Ltd (South Taranaki) | 027 607 9666 | treetruck.co.nz |
| Tricky Tree Specialist Ltd | 06 7532 924 or 0800 TRICKY | trickytreespecialist.co.nz |
Thames Valley, Coromandel, Tauranga
| Contractor | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin Trees | 0800 272 624 | franklintrees.co.nz |
| ArborCare | 0800 272672 or 07 543 1775 | arborcare.co.nz |
| Asplundh | 0800 4277 583 | asplundh.co.nz |
| Treescape | 0800 873 396 | treescape.co.nz |
| Tree Control | 027 628 8762 | treecontrol.co.nz |
| Arbortree | 0800 325 5464 | arbortree.co.nz |
Wairarapa
| Contractor | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Arb Innovations Ltd | 0800 272 583 | arbinnovations.co.nz |
| Treesmart | 0800 80 80 39 or 021 882 581 | treesmart.co.nz |
| Wairarapa Treescaping | 0800 9248 733 | waitreescaping.nz |
Whanganui
| Contractor | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Arb Innovations Ltd | 0800 272 583 | arbinnovations.co.nz |
| Tree Truck Ltd | 027 607 9666 | treetruck.co.nz |
| Rivercity Trees | 0800 131 589 | rivercitytrees.co.nz |
Forestry and power lines
Safety around our networks
Replant for Tomorrow
Tree FAQs
Before you plant – look up! Aim to choose trees and shrubs that will not grow into a power line. And remember to regularly trim your trees near power lines.
All growing situations are unique. We recommend you talk to your local garden centre for their advice about what plants grow to what size in your region.
Choosing the right tree for the right spot is very important if you are planting near power lines.
While trees and shrubs may be recommended as suitable for planting under or near power lines, please be aware that as the tree owner you are responsible for ensuring trees on your land are a safe distance from power lines.
Remember, before you plant - look up!
If a tree on your property is near power lines, and is either self-seeded or at the time of planting, you reasonably believed it wouldn't interfere with power lines when fully grown, then you can declare 'no interest' in the tree. This means it will be trimmed or removed at Powerco's discretion (or may not be worked on at all). Follow the instructions on this Declaring no interest in trees form.
