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Christchurch, Canterbury

Electricians in ChristchurchHeat pumps, infill and a network rebuilt after the quakes.

In Christchurch, the electrical jobs that come up most are heat pump circuits, connections for infill housing and EV chargers, all on Orion's lines. Tell us the job and we'll match it with one licence-checked local electrician who does that kind of work. For damaged lines, Orion's 24 hour number is 0800 363 9898.

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The Gothic Revival stone buildings of the Christchurch Arts Centre under a blue sky.
Photo: sasif awan on Pexels

Christchurch, electrically speaking

Orion runs the lines

Orion's network covers Christchurch and central Canterbury, more than 235,000 homes and businesses. It's community owned, with Christchurch City Council and Selwyn District Council as its two key shareholders.

Rebuilt after the quakes

After the 22 February 2011 earthquake, power was back for 75% of the city within three days. Orion later reported that half of its 66 kV cables had been damaged, and it kept temporary overhead lines in the eastern suburbs while it rebuilt. In the residential red zone, more than 8,000 homes were demolished or removed.

Snow and wind bring lines down

The June 2006 snowstorm destroyed more than 500 power poles across the region. Orion rated the 10 September 2013 windstorm its third biggest event in 21 years, and a windstorm in October 2023 cut power to about 5,500 properties on its network.

Cold winters, hot nor'westers

Christchurch averages 34 days a year when the minimum drops below 0 °C, and foehn nor'westers can push summer highs past 30 °C. In the 2023 Census, 86.17% of Christchurch homes used a heat pump.

More homes on each section

Under the Medium-Density Residential Standards, as the city council described them in December 2024, a property can have up to three dwellings of up to three storeys without resource consent, if all the other rules are met.

Heritage streets

In September 2025 the council approved nine Residential Heritage Areas, among them Lyttelton, Inner City West and the RNZAF Station Wigram staff housing.

Why heat pumps drive so much work here

With most homes heating with a heat pump, the jobs that follow are new circuits, a switchboard with room for them, and sometimes a bigger supply. Tenancy Services' heating guide says heat pumps need a licensed electrician for installation, and WorkSafe notes that the wiring rules require RCD protection on new final subcircuits in homes.

If you rent, you're in good company: at the 2023 Census, 35.17% of Christchurch households didn't own their home. A rental's main living room needs fixed heating that can keep it at 18°C, and landlords can't do the electrical work themselves. Our healthy homes page covers what an electrician does for landlords.

Infill, new connections and chargers

Three townhouses where one house stood means more load, and usually new connections or a capacity upgrade. Orion suggests your electrician applies on your behalf through its online services, saying how many phases and how much capacity are needed. Once an authorised Orion connection agent receives a copy of the electrician's certificate of compliance, the agent connects the property.

The same process covers converting an overhead supply to underground and changing capacity to add an EV charger. Solar is stricter: Orion says no generation may be connected to its network without its express written approval, and recommends your licensed electrician or installer applies for you.

A line down across your car or section

Keep everyone at least 10 metres away, treat every line as live, and call 111 and Orion on 0800 363 9898. If a power line falls on your vehicle, Orion says to stay inside until it's made safe. If you must get out, jump clear without touching the car and the ground at the same time, then shuffle away with your feet close together.

What we'd do in Christchurch

Before adding a heat pump, a charger or a second dwelling, we'd have an electrician check the switchboard has room and whether your supply needs changing. If it does, let the electrician lodge the Orion application early, and ask which certificates you'll get at the end. Then keep Orion's number somewhere handy for the next big nor'wester.

Want a specialist to sort it?

Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.

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Suburbs and areas around Christchurch

Questions

Straight answers.

Who do I call when the power goes out in Christchurch?

Check Orion's outages page, which lists current, resolved and upcoming outages and shows them on a map. If yours isn't listed and you still have no power, Orion asks you to call 0800 363 9898. If it's only your house, check your main switch and RCDs first.

Can I build townhouses on my section using the existing supply?

Talk to an electrician before the design is final. More dwellings means more load, and Orion's connections process covers new connections and capacity upgrades. An electrician who does infill work will work out the phases and capacity before applying.

Do I need Orion's approval for solar?

Yes. Orion says solar and other generation must not be connected without its express written approval, and recommends your licensed electrician or installer applies. It treats inverters on the Clean Energy Council list of AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 compliant inverters as pre-approved.

Is my older Christchurch house electrically safe after the quakes?

If it was repaired and nothing has been flagged since, there's no need to assume the worst. If you're unsure, the EWRB suggests having your home checked by a licensed electrical inspector.

Ready for a sparky in Christchurch?

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Related help

Helpful next

Electricians in CanterburyOrion, MainPower, EA Networks and Alpine Energy numbers, storm and quake lessons, and growth across Canterbury.Electricians in RollestonNew homes, fast growth and Orion's lines: EV chargers, solar and add-on circuits in Rolleston.Heat pump wiring and circuitsThe circuit, switchboard space and certificates behind a heat pump, and what the rental heating standard asks.New power connections and supply upgradesElectrician, lines company, retailer: who does what for a new connection, and how long it can take.Underground power and private power polesMoving your power line underground, private poles, and who's responsible for the line to your house.EV charger installationWall charger or 3-pin cable, the Type B RCD, load checks and the certificates you should get for a home charger.

Where this information comes from

Rules change, so check with the EWRB, WorkSafe or Tenancy Services if something matters to your job. How we write and check these pages.

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