Vector Limited

Work, study and a new baby - Barkha’s story will feel familiar to a lot of people.

Kia ora Auckland meet Barkha Parkash

She is a network planning engineer at Vector, and next week we will share her story about balancing career goals, her PHD and becoming a mum. It’s a candid chat about what you do when life does not go to plan.

Trees near power lines can cause storm outages in Auckland 🌳⚠️

Around 70% of storm-related power outages happen when trees and other items fall onto power lines. That means what grows near the network can affect safety, reliability, and how quickly power can be restored after bad weather.
If you’re planting near overhead power lines, distance matters.

Vector Limited's planting guide recommends thinking about what you plant within 8m of power lines:

🌿 0–2m: grasses and flaxes
🌱 2–4m: shrubs
🌳 further out: small trees only if they are suitable for the space and won’t grow into the lines over time

And if trimming is needed, don’t do it yourself. Under the tree regulations, work within 4m of a network line is a professional-only zone and should only be done by a qualified and approved utility arborist.

For more information. We’ve shared the link in the comments.

Right Tree, Right Place: helping reduce storm-related power outages in Auckland 🌳⚡

Choosing the right tree for the right place can make a real difference over time. It helps protect Auckland’s urban canopy while reducing the chance of trees growing too close to power lines and causing outages during storms.

Some trees are better suited to growing near homes, streets and shared spaces than others. Thinking about height and spread before planting can help avoid safety issues, reduce future maintenance, and support a more reliable network. Lower shrubs and other low-growing plants are the best option for areas close to power lines, with taller planting further away.

As a quick safety reminder, any tree trimming within four metres of a network line should only be done by an approved utility arborist.

Right tree, right place is a simple idea, but it plays an important role in public safety, network reliability and keeping Auckland green. 🌿

If you are choosing what to plant, taking a little extra time now can help avoid problems later.

Find out more about choosing the right tree for the right place before you plant. We’ll share the planting guide link in the comments. 💬

💙⚽️ This weekend, Vector Lights joins landmarks across the city in shining blue to celebrate our football club, Auckland FC!

Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge is backing Auckland FC as they take on Sydney FC in the Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final at Go Media Stadium on Saturday night.

with Auckland Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | Visit Auckland | Auckland FCAuckland FC

Before you dig, take one step that keeps everyone safe

If you’re digging at home (fence posts, planting, drainage, a deck), the safest step is the one that happens before the shovel goes in.

Underground cables, gas pipes and fibre lines aren’t always where you expect and hitting one can be dangerous and disruptive for you and your neighbours.

These photos are from last week’s safe digging workshop in Auckland, where contractors, network owners and safety teams came together to share practical ways to prevent damage before it happens.

The focus wasn’t complicated, just consistent: plan early, communicate clearly, and always confirm what’s in the ground before any machinery starts.

A genuine thanks to everyone across the industry who continues to invest time in safety education and better ways of working. It’s this kind of collaboration that helps reduce risk, protect critical infrastructure, and ultimately keep communities safe.

If you’re planning any digging, you can request your free plans from beforeUdig before you start.

Vector Lights is showcasing Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for TRENZ, Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest international tourism business event, happening this week at the NZICC. ✈️

Vector Lights will feature the beauty of the Waitematā Harbour with a dynamic light and sound show on the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge, accompanied by waiata ‘Aaramoana’ by Ngāti Whātua featuring Raana Pihema.

Get together with friends and whānau to watch Vector Lights from your favourite viewing spots around Tāmaki Makaurau and head to vector.co.nz/lights to listen to the soundtrack live.

📍 Maungawhau Mt Eden, Silo Park and Westhaven Marina
📆 18-21 May 2026
⏰ 5.45pm until midnight, every 15 minutes
🎵 vector.co.nz/lights

🎉 with Auckland Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | Visit Auckland

Pink Shirt Day at Vector

Today we’re wearing pink at Vector for Pink Shirt Day, standing together for kindness, inclusion and respect. 🩷

It’s a small signal, but it’s a good reminder: the way we speak to each other matters.

“Downed power lines can still be live - stay 10 metres away

If you see a powerline on the ground, what would you do?

It’s natural to stop and look or even think about helping. But with a downed power line, the danger is not only the wire. Electricity can spread through the ground around it.

Here’s the simple rule that can save a life:

✅ Stay at least 10 metres away (about the length of a bus).

✅ Keep others back too.

✅ Call 111 straight away.

✅ Always treat fallen lines as live, even if it looks safe.

Staying back might feel minor, but it can save lives.

💬 Auckland whānau: What’s one safety tip you’d want every neighbour to know if they spot a fallen line?