Transpower says it could be time for a second line to be installed in the Far North after an all day outage on Sunday.
The only transmission line into Kaitaia was out of service from 8am till late Sunday afternoon to allow Transpower to carry out essential maintenance.
The company says the daylong power cuts are necessary every year or so to keep the sole line in good repair.
Transpower chairman Wayne Brown, who is also the mayor of the Far North, believes it's time the lines company, Top Energy, considered investing in a second line.
He says his hometown Mangonui, and other Far North centres virtually closed for the day, because EFTPOS was down.
Hospitals and other services have used back up generators for the day.
Mr Brown says the cost would be several million dollars.
