Transpower does not think a power crisis is likely in the South Island despite low lake levels and little rain forecast for spring.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research predicts a dry spring and a late November snow melt.
Rainfall and river flows are likely to be below normal in alpine and western regions of the South Island, including key hydro catchments.
Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo are below normal levels. Lake Pukaki is at 16% of normal and Lake Tekapo at 25%.
However, Transpower chief executive Patrick Strange says there's a lot of uncertainty around NIWA's forecast.
Meridian Energy describes the situation in the South Island as "tight but manageable".
