Customer communication about last minute cancellations

Network Updates
With New Zealand now in the Covid-19 Red Light setting, following the arrival of the Omicron variant, Vector had cautiously begun addressing the backlog of planned maintenance and repairs, including new housing connections that had been deferred during the past lockdowns.

When we schedule work, we always consider ways to reduce the impact of power outages on our customers, like providing advanced notice so you can plan. Where possible, we provide 10 days’ written notice of planned power outages.

However, with the rise of people coming into contact with the virus and the need to isolate, we are facing a level of uncertainty which could impact our plans. This could include project delays and/or cancellations caused by a last-minute lack of resources required for the work.

We are letting customers know about changes as early as possible, but the rise in cases means we sometimes get less than 24 hours notification. This means we may have to cancel some work at the last minute and are only able to inform our customers on the day or just prior.

In these instances, we will provide you with a revised or alternate date to undertake the work. We know this has been a difficult period for everyone and we really appreciate your patience and understanding.

We want to also reassure you that our teams follow government guidelines, are vaccinated and are wearing correct safety equipment*.

* In some instances, our crew members will not be able to wear masks as doing so creates additional hazards. When they are dealing with and/or working around electrical equipment and lines, there can be a very remote risk of exposure with electricity, which means flammable material, (like paper or fabric face masks) cannot be worn; however, full face shields are categorised as PPE and keep our crew safe in the same way that a mask does.

Last minute cancellations and Covid-19 FAQs

How will increasing cases of Covid-19 in the community impact planned outages?

With the rise of people encountering the virus and the need to isolate, we are facing a level of uncertainty which could impact schedules. This could include project delays and/or cancellations due to a last-minute lack of resources required for the works.
 
We know this has been a difficult period for everyone and we really appreciate your patience and understanding.

When will I know if my planned outage needs to be cancelled?
Although we are taking measures to inform people as early as possible to reduce the impact, with the rise in cases and the nature of Covid, we are facing instances where we are receiving less than 24 hours notification. This means we are having to cancel some work at the last minute and are only able to inform our customers on the day or just prior. 
 
Will you reschedule the cancelled work? If so, when and how?
In an instance where we need to cancel a job at short notice, we will provide you with a note with new plans with at least 10 days’ notice where possible.
 
We will alert you via our Outage Centre online when you look up your address, as well as contact you directly.
 
How is Vector protecting themselves, and customers, from spreading Covid-19?
We want to also reassure you that our teams follow all government guidelines, are vaccinated and are wearing correct safety equipment*.  
 
* In some instances, our crew members will not be able to wear masks as doing so creates additional hazards. When they are dealing with and/or working around electrical equipment and lines, there can be a very remote risk of exposure with electricity, which means flammable material, (like paper or fabric face masks) cannot be worn; however, full face shields are categorised as PPE and keep our crew safe in the same way that a mask does.