By Jenny Suo
The fire service has stepped in to transport people in need of medical attention to ambulances, as many roads remain closed in Wellington tonight.
Meanwhile, the coldest weather system for decades saw many heaters turned on last night, setting a new record for the amount of power being used.
Ice building up on the lines has caused the cuts which left thousands without power in the lower and central North Island over the last 24 hours, and linesman have taken to the air in Taranaki to inspect the energy networks.
“At least 30 spans had quite heavy loading on the wire and all over the insulators which probably cause the trip,” says linesman Tony Caskey.
The trip is a safety mechanism which acts like a fuse, it prevents any serious damage to the network.
Ice on the lines has caused problems in Wellington too but it was the ice on the roads of the hill suburbs which presented the biggest threat.
Tonight the fire service, equipped with four-wheel-drives, is on call to residents in need of medical attention.
Just before 6pm they transported a woman down closed Wainuiomata Hill Road so that she could reach an ambulance.
And others are having trouble reaching their destinations too.
Wellington Airport is open tonight but many flights have been cancelled due to the conditions.
But for those walking instead of flying the city council recommends Wellingtonians wear socks over their shoes for grip.
It is a cheap way to stay upright on the capital's slippery slopes.
3 News