A big power surge has caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage to electrical appliances in houses on Banks Peninsula.
Orion New Zealand says at least 30 households in Charteris Bay were affected when a pine tree fell on a power line on Friday morning, causing a surge that damaged appliances including microwaves and spa pools.
But Charteris Bay resident, Curt Nielson, who is an electrician, estimates about 100 homes were affected.
He says his switchboard was completely blackened and all appliances running off the board were fried.
Orion's commercial general manager, Rob Jamieson, says the lines company is still investigating to find out who is liable for the damage but it is possible the owner of the tree - which it believes is Christchurch City Council - is responsible.
