Billy tea and sausages were on the menu for a Pyes Pa family as they entered their third night without power.

Anna and Brendon Bourne from Merrick Road have been waiting in vain since a concrete power pole snapped during Friday night's storm.
Despite making calls to Trustpower and Powerco they still have no idea when power will be restored.

Powerless: Brendon surveys the line damage at his property.

'Someone from the power company has been to look at the snapped pole but power lines are still lying on the ground and dangling from the remaining pole,” say Brendon.
The Bournes have been loaned a generator to power their freezer.
'Things were getting close to defrosting but we were saved at the last minute by our neighbour helping out with a portable generator,” says Anna.
'We contacted our insurance company who told us we were covered if the food went off but would not help out with hiring a generator,” says Brendon.
The Bournes are among hundreds of people still waiting for power to be restored to their homes.

The Bourne family prepares for their third night without power.
Anna, Brendon, Jakob (5) and Michaila (2).

The worst affected are in Matapihi, Te Maunga, Omanu, Paengaroa and Te Puke.
Trustpower spokesperson Graham Purches says the repair crews will work on faults affecting the largest number of people first.”
Powerco spokesperson Neil Holdom says about 260 homes are still awaiting reconnection in the Tauranga area.
'About half have been without power since Friday or Saturday,” says Neil.

A force of more than 100 field staff are out across the central North Island restoring supply to customers on Powerco's electricity network after Friday's opening salvo of the storm.
Powerco Network Operations Manager Phil Marsh says improved conditions today had assisted crews. They had to replace broken poles, clear trees from lines and replace other damaged components.
'There are hundreds of isolated faults on the network from blown pole fuses to downed service and low voltage lines affecting small numbers of customers across Powerco's areas of operation,” says Phil.

The storm had caused power cuts to around 55,500 customers since noon Friday affecting Thames, Whitianga, Coromandel, Paeroa, Piako, Tokoroa, Kerepehi, Waihi, Tauranga, Te Puke, Kimbolton, Manawatu, Rangitikei, Wanganui, Taranaki and Wairarapa.
Powerco had been in touch with representatives of Federated Farmers in the
worst affected areas and was working to prioritise restoration to dairy farmers with distressed herds where possible.
'We are working hard to get power back on so farmers can milk their cows, many of which are suffering having missed two or three milkings,” says Phil.
Powerco is urging members of the public to keep well away from downed overhead lines and any other damaged network equipment.
'Safety is our top priority and we are urging members of the public to keep well away from any damaged parts of the network.”

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