Onehunga Resilience Project
From late September 2026 to approximately June 2027, Vector will undertake work, in stages, to replace underground electricity cables on Arthur Street, Alfred Street, Grotto Street, Captain Spring Road, Church Street and Hugo Johnston Drive
Some of this electrical equipment has been in service for almost 70 years. Over that time, Onehunga and Te Papapa have grown significantly, increasing demand on the local network. These cables are nearing the end of their life and need to be replaced to help maintain a reliable power supply for the future. Although these cables do not directly supply individual homes or businesses, they’re an important part of the wider network as they help move electricity from the national grid to Vector substations, where it’s distributed to customers.
Onehunga resilience project FAQ'S
Vector is replacing aging underground electricity cables along Church Street and surrounding streets in Onehunga. This work will help strengthen the local electricity network and support reliability for customers in the area.
The programme is expected to start in late September 2026 and continue through to June 2027, subject to final project timing and traffic management approvals.
Vector is managing the project with civil work delivered by our contractor, Stockman General Contractors Ltd
No planned power outages are currently required for this programme of work. If this changes, we will contact affected customers directly before any outage takes place.
Customers may notice excavation, concrete/basalt rock breaking, construction noise, temporary changes to access and traffic management. Some one-way detours may be in place at times, and these will be clearly signposted. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained throughout the work. Traffic controllers will be onsite to help manage vehicle and pedestrian movements safely
We understand there has already been a lot of construction activity in the area and that some customers may be feeling fatigued by ongoing works. To help reduce disruption, key parts of the work are being scheduled to make use of school holidays and the Christmas break where possible. We’ll aim to minimise disruption wherever possible and keep affected customers updated as the work progresses.
Most work will happen between 7am and 7pm, with medium to high noise levels expected at times. Some late evening work until 10pm may be needed for critical tasks. We’ll work in stages to reduce the impact and use noise mats. There may be night work has part of this work, which will be between approximately 9pm – 5am.
Replacing underground electricity cables in a busy area is complex. The work needs to be carefully staged around traffic management, access requirements, other infrastructure and the needs of residents, businesses, schools and commuters.
Onehunga’s ground conditions are also influenced by the area’s volcanic history. Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill produced extensive lava flows, including flows toward Onehunga, and parts of the scoria cone were breached as lava moved downhill. Over time, these flows formed areas of hard basalt beneath parts of the local area. This can make underground excavation more challenging and slower than it may appear from the surface.
Safety is a top priority. Measures include:
- Clearly marked and secured work zones
- Temporary fencing and barriers
- Signage
- Trained staff and experienced traffic controllers on-site
Yes. We’ve coordinated with emergency services to ensure they can always access the area even while work is underway.
We’ll provide updates through direct customer communications, project signage, stakeholder channels and the Vector website. We’ve included a colour-coordinated map to show where and when we’ll be working in your area.
Yes. Our project team will be at Onehunga Library on Friday 25 September from 5–7pm. You’re welcome to come along, ask questions and talk to us about the work planned in your area.
You can also call or email Lisa Jenkins at any time on 021 329 982 or lisa@sgc.co.nz or Dean Jenkins on 021 329 832 or dean@sgc.co.nz