Trees, shelterbelts, bamboo, and other vegetation that grow too close to power lines can lead to power surges, which can damage appliances in your home, power outages, fires, and electric shocks.

You are responsible for maintaining trees on your property so they don’t get too close to the power lines.

If Top Energy becomes aware of your tree encroaching onto power lines, you will be issued a notice to inform you of the situation and what action is required. 

You must ensure your trees do not affect the Far North community's safe and reliable power supply.  If in doubt, talk to our Vegetation Management team.

If you wish to trim or fell trees around powerlines, you must comply with the approved Code of Practice for Safety and Health in Tree Work (Part 2: Maintenance of Trees Around Powerlines). A copy can be found on the WorksafeNZ website.

You can only trim trees if your tools and machinery are more than 4m from power lines, including the lines on your property. Only a qualified professional can do the work once trees are inside this zone.

If you’re felling a tree within 2 tree lengths from power lines you need to get consent to Work near power lines (Close approach consent) from the line owner. If the lines are in a public space such as along a highway or roadside, the line owner is likely to be Top Energy. If tree felling is commercial, it is notifiable to Worksafe.

If you see trees touching or close to power lines, DO NOT touch the trees or poles. Call Top Energy on 0800 867 363 and tell us where trees are near or touching powerlines.

Treesinlines

Growth limit zone

The Growth Limit Zone is the legal minimum distance your trees must be away from power lines. We can tell you the line voltage of your pole if you provide the correct pole number.

Overhead line voltage Growth limit zone* Notice zone
Power lines 230-400V 0.5m 1.5m
High voltage lines 11KV 1.6m 2.6m
High voltage lines 22-33KV 2.5m 3.5m
High voltage lines 110KV 4m 5m

*Growth limit zone = the distance from any part of the conductor.
Distances must be maintained under all weather conditions.


If Top Energy identifies your tree is inside the Growth Limit Zone, we will issue a notice to you which outlines your options. You can:

  • Contact Top Energy to arrange for the work to be undertaken.
  • Apply for No-Interest declaration for the tree. In this case, Top Energy will decide on and take remedial action.
    This option is only available if wild-sown or the tree was planted in 2004 or later.

Shelterbelts, visual screening hedges or commercially planted crop trees do not qualify for No-Interest.

If you ignore the notice and fail to have your trees cut or trimmed, you will be committing an offence and may be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and, if the offence is a continuing one, a further fine not exceeding $500 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continued. You will also be liable to Top Energy for any costs of damage arising (directly or indirectly).

Detailed information is in the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003.

Dispensation and arbitration

A tree owner who receives a notice may apply to Top Energy for dispensation for a reduced Growth Limit Zone if you believe that due to the age, rarity, or cultural significance the tree's integrity should be preserved as much as possible.

If Top Energy does not grant a dispensation and you believe dispensation should have been granted, then you may apply for independent arbitration under provisions included in the Regulations.

Tree trimming

Stay safe when trimming your trees. Call us so we can help assess the risks and create a plan to keep everyone safe around powerlines.

Tree trimming2 Play embedded video

Safe tree planting distances

To avoid causing hazards with power lines before you plant your tree, think about the height and width your tree will grow to, how quickly it will grow and the distance it is from existing power lines.

Tree planting distances image Play embedded video

Wherever practicable, plant your tree away from power lines of at least twice the tree’s expected mature growth height. For example, if the tree is expected to grow to a height of 8 metres, plant your tree at least 16 metres away from power lines.

This will ensure you can enjoy the tree without the worry of future safety issues arising and avoid ongoing maintenance costs relating to clearance around power lines. It will also allow your tree to form its natural shape and size.

Northland Regional Councils Trees for the Land guide has a section which identifies the growth rate and final height of tree species.

For further advice, call Top Energy on 0800 867 363 and ask to speak to our Vegetation Team, or take a look at our FAQs

Related FAQs

What should I do if I receive a Hazard Warning Notice?
Your trees have grown too close to power lines. Take action to cut back or remove the trees. Action taken by you now could save you money later. Contact a competent contractor to undertake the work or engage Top Energy on 0800 867 363.
Legally you must take action otherwise you risk a fine. The notice includes information regarding your options and what you need to do. As the tree owner you must ensure the cutting or trimming work specified in The Notice is completed within 10-25 working days (dependent on growth) or within a maximum of 45 working days if it's your first Hazard Warning Notice. Consider whether you want to have an ongoing liability for maintaining the tree so it does not encroach the Growth Limit Zone. If you wish to keep the tree, you may be eligible for a first cut or trim without charge from Top Energy, but thereafter you will have the cost of maintaining clearances. If you don’t want to look after the tree and provided the tree meets the criteria for a ‘No Interest Notice’, then you have the option to declare No-Interest. If accepted, Top Energy will decide what to do and take appropriate action. You must allow access. Decide what you want to do then let Top Energy know your decision by completing the ‘owner agreement tick boxes’ on the Cut or Trim Notice, then sign and return it to Top Energy.
Once a signed response to the Cut or Trim Notice has been received, Top Energy will respond as follows: • If you have requested Top Energy to provide a cutting or trimming service we will contact you shortly to arrange a date for the work. • If you make a ‘No Interest’ declaration which is accepted, Top Energy will assume responsibility for the tree and will then decide what action to take, including trimming, cutting or felling, at no cost to you. If you decide to have your own competent contractor do the work, you must inform Top Energy at least 3 working days prior to any work commencing, details of where and when the work will be conducted.
Doing nothing does not remove your responsibility under the regulations. Top Energy must remove any immediate danger (to persons, property or the continued power supply) posed by trees or vegetation near power lines and so may have to undertake the work. You will be liable for the costs of this work if you have failed to comply with The Notice.
Responsibility for the cost of cutting or trimming will depend on the circumstances of each case, but after the first cut or trim at no charge, responsibility will rest with the tree owner.
If you regularly cut or trim your shelterbelt, keep doing what you’ve been doing. Otherwise, please contact a Top Energy approved specialist contractor and arrange to keep the shelterbelt trimmed outside the Notice Zone. Freephone 0800 867 363 to find an approved contractor for your area.
You should consider the possibility and potential consequences of the risk that has been identified and then decide an appropriate action plan to eliminate or minimise that risk. Usually this means cutting down the tree before it becomes a big and expensive job, or else adopting a regular maintenance plan such as trimming every year.
Your Service Main is the power line that connects your property to Top Energy’s lines network. This is either an overhead line or underground cable that runs from a power pole in the street to the meter box at your home or business. This power line is owned by you and is not covered by the regulations. However, you must still keep trees and vegetation clear. If you need to cut or trim vegetation, a Top Energy approved contractor can temporarily disconnect the power for you. To ensure your safety, please use this facility. However, even disconnected lines must be treated as live at all times and you should never come into direct contact with a disconnected line while undertaking any tree work.
Call our Vegetation Advisors on 0800 867 363 to discuss.
Keep clear, do NOT touch trees or poles. Please advise us of the location where trees are near or touching powerlines by calling us on 0800 867 363 to report the matter to Top Energy’s Vegetation Advisors.
Wherever practicable, plant your tree a distance from power lines of at least twice the trees expected mature growth height. For example, if the tree is expected to grow to a height of 8 metres, plant your tree at least 16 metres away from power lines. This will ensure you can enjoy the tree without the worry of future safety issues arising and avoid ongoing maintenance costs relating to clearance around power lines. It will also allow your tree to form its natural shape and size. Some sites will require other considerations be taken into account, such as ground stability, access and contour. For sites where planting decisions are not straightforward, Freephone Top Energy on 0800 867 363 for advice on suitable species and clearance distances.
If the power line is situated on a neighbour’s property or on public land – YES, you have a responsibility not to let your trees interfere with power lines that are legally sited on your neighbour’s property or on public land. If the power line is situated on your land – YES, unless there is an agreement in place where the line owner accepts responsibly for the ongoing maintenance of the tree.
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