New Zealand faces record power demand as bitter cold snap grips the country
Freezing temperatures across New Zealand have driven electricity demand to all-time highs, with forecasters warning of icy conditions continuing through the week.
A polar cold snap is bringing record-breaking electricity demand across New Zealand as households crank up heaters against sub-zero temperatures. Several cities have recorded their coldest nights of the year, with some areas reaching extreme lows. Transpower has warned of potential energy shortfalls during peak morning demand periods. The cold is expected to linger through the first half of the week before conditions gradually ease.
Covered byRNZStuffNZ Herald1NewsNewstalk ZBOtago Daily TimesNot covered byNewsroomThe SpinoffBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz
Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
RNZ
More freezing temperatures expected this morning
Frosty mornings are expected to continue through the first half of the week, especially across the North Island.
RNZ
Freezing start for much of New Zealand as bitter cold snap continues
Frosty mornings are expected to continue through the first half of the week, especially across the North Island.
NZ Herald
North Island braces for another icy morning as temperatures plunge
Record electricity demand as another frosty morning leaves much of NZ in the deep freeze.
Stuff
Record power demand as Kiwis crank up heaters in bitter cold
The cold snap has pushed New Zealand’s electricity demand to an all-time high, as households across the country turn on heaters to stay warm amid the cost-of-living crunch.
Otago Daily Times
Cold snap causes record spike in electricity demand
NZ Herald
Transpower warns of peak power demand amid icy blast
Record demand of 7141MW hit on Monday amid cold and low wind-power generation.
Newstalk ZB
Transpower warns of peak power demand amid icy blast
Sub-zero temperatures in parts of the country are keeping power generators on alert.
NZ Herald
Aucklanders wake to freezing temperatures as several west, south suburbs record -1C
Recent low temperatures have pushed electricity demand to record levels.
RNZ
Auckland hits the negatives as freezing temperatures continue
Thursday will see warmer temperatures before another dip as the weekend approaches, MetService says.
Stuff
Heavy snow closes two highways as bitter southerly grips New Zealand
A cold southerly continues to deliver icy temperatures before calmer, frosty conditions settle in next week.
NZ Herald
Weather forecast: Auckland set for frost and icy roads as temperatures plunge across the country
Colder than usual temperatures as a cold southerly outbreak spreads across the country.
1News
Coldest morning of winter ahead as snow to fall to sea level in south
MetService says snow and icy roads could disrupt travel early this week before bitterly cold mornings settle in across much of New Zealand.
RNZ
More frost and chilly temperatures forecast for much of the country
Frigid air flowing from Antarctica brought snow to low levels in Dunedin and Christchurch on Tuesday, and even Wellington had a rare flurry.
RNZ
Transpower expecting record electricity demand in cold snap
It's warned power generators of potential shortfalls on Wednesday and Thursday.
NZ Herald
Snow and sleet forecast as temperatures stay low across New Zealand
Thursday could bring severe frosts after another cold night.
RNZ
Live weather: Another icy morning, as temperatures plunge further
MetService says there won't be much let up in the frigid weather as the polar blast affecting much of the country continues to linger.
1News
Icy windscreen holding up your morning? Here's how to sort it
Clearing the vehicle windows to get underway can be a frustrating hold-up on a frosty morning.
RNZ
Weather: Record power consumption as chilly temperatures set to last all week
MetService says it's been one of the coldest mornings of the year and it's likely to continue for the next two days, including in Auckland and Northland.
NZ Herald
Cold snap prompts NZ’s highest-ever power use; how much generation is needed?
Demand could again be very high on Thursday and Friday mornings.
Otago Daily Times
Warning over energy shortfall amid record consumption, biting cold
1News
Cold comfort: Can you afford to keep heaters up and pay power bill?
Record electricity demand and freezing temperatures are piling pressure on households, with charities reporting more people are struggling to afford heating and the basics.
NZ Herald
Experts on what the cold snap may mean for your power bill
New Zealand has hit record levels of power consumption as temperatures drop nationwide.
RNZ
Another frosty start as MetService warns of negative temperatures
Transpower says there could be another record demand for electricity as cold weather grips the country.
Newstalk ZB
Morning power shortage warning as freezing start across NZ, temps below zero and frosts in north
Transpower has warned of energy shortfalls between 7.30am and 8.30am as temperatures plunge across New Zealand.
1News
Icy windscreen holding up your morning? Here's how to sort it
Clearing the vehicle windows to get underway can be a frustrating hold-up on a frosty morning.
1News
Cold comfort: Can you afford to keep heaters up and pay power bill?
Record electricity demand and freezing temperatures are piling pressure on households, with charities reporting more people are struggling to afford heating and the basics.
1News
Cold comfort: Can you afford to keep heaters up and pay power bill?
Record electricity demand and freezing temperatures are piling pressure on households, with charities reporting more people are struggling to afford heating and the basics.
Stuff
Another freezing morning is coming. Should Kiwis worry about the power staying on?
Auckland recorded its coldest temperature in five years as forecasters warn icy mornings will linger before a wetter, milder pattern arrives.
RNZ
Cold snap almost over – but not quite
But it's another chilly morning for much of New Zealand, with today's conditions very similar to yesterday.
NZ Herald
Cold weather to ease as warmer, wetter weekend forecast
This week's cold snap drove New Zealand's highest-ever electricity peak.
RNZ
Desert Road reaches -10C as bitterly cold mornings continue
Several cities have recorded their coldest night this year as the cold snap continues to hit the country.
Stuff
The coldest spot in New Zealand
This morning was forecast to be the coldest of the year – how cold is it?
RNZ
Desert Road reaches -10C, Timaru records coldest August day in 46 years
Meanwhile, Timaru has recorded its coldest August temperature in 46 years.
Otago Daily Times
Desert Rd chilliest overnight, Timaru’s coldest August day since 1980
RNZ
Desert Road reaches -10C, Timaru records coldest August day in 28 years
Meanwhile, Timaru has recorded its coldest August temperature in 46 years.
NZ Herald
Genesis open to restarting Huntly gas turbine after cold snap
Genesis may restart its systemically important Unit 5 turbine at Huntly.
Newstalk ZB
More than 100 pupils absent daily at Point Chevalier School, Auckland as winter illness hits
More than 100 pupils at a central Auckland primary school were absent each day last week – the majority with illness – with class sizes as low as nine.