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Electricity Act 1992

Powers and duties of electricity operators and other owners of electrical works

23C: Notice in emergencies

You could also call this:

“Entering someone's property without notice during electrical emergencies”

If you own electrical works, you usually need to give notice before entering someone’s property. However, there are times when you don’t have to give notice first:

  1. If you need to enter the property because there’s likely danger to life or property.
  2. If you need to enter right away to keep the electricity supply going or to make sure it’s safe.

In these emergency situations, you can enter the property without giving notice. But you still need to tell the owner or occupier as soon as you can. You must do this no later than 5 working days after you’ve entered their property.

Remember, this only applies in emergencies. For normal situations, you still need to give notice as required by the law.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM282462.

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23B: Line owner must give notice of intention to inspect or operate existing works, or

"Power line owners must tell landowners before they come to check their equipment"

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23D: Land owner may set reasonable conditions on line owner's entry, or

"Landowners can make fair rules about electricity companies coming onto their property"

Part 3 Powers and duties of electricity operators and other owners of electrical works

23CNotice in emergencies

  1. An owner of existing works is excused from giving notice as required by section 23A or section 23B if—

  2. entry upon the land is necessary in circumstances of probable danger to life or property; or
    1. entry upon the land is immediately necessary to maintain the continuity or safety of the supply and distribution of electricity.

      1. However, in either case, the owner of the existing works must give notice to the owner or occupier of the land as soon as practicable and to the extent that the circumstances permit (and no later than 5 working days after entry).

      Notes
      • Section 23C: inserted, on , by section 11(1) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 40).