Powering a growing Auckland
Undergrounding and network projects
Auckland is expanding fast. As the city grows, so does the demand for new power connections, smarter infrastructure, and future-ready energy solutions. At Vector, we're investing tens of millions of dollars each year to upgrade our networks, improve technology, and deliver safer, more resilient services for communities across Auckland.
Supporting new subdivisions
We work closely with developers to ensure that new subdivisions are equipped with modern, underground energy infrastructure from the start. This includes:
- Underground electricity and gas lines for a clean and modern environment;
- Which enables, flexible energy choices for residents, ready for emerging technologies
Want to know how to get electricity or gas into your new subdivision? Visit our electricity and gas pages.
Why we’re undergrounding power lines
We’re committed to moving more of Auckland’s overhead power lines underground. As at September 2025:
- Over 330 undergrounding projects have been completed
- Around 72.6% of power lines across communities all over central, east, and south Auckland are now underground
Some of this is funded through our agreement with our majority shareholder, Entrust, with whom, under our deed, we have committed to spend $12.5 million a year on undergrounding and new technologies.
All new residential developments since the late 1960s were undergrounded at the time of construction. This means parts of Auckland, such as South Auckland, have a significant proportion of the network underground already.
Entrust was formed as part of reforms to the electricity industry in 1993 and represents electricity consumers that were served by the Auckland Electric Power Board (AEPB) in the former Auckland, Manukau and Papakura areas. Our deed with Entrust does not extend to the northern part of our network in the former North Shore, Waitakere and Rodney areas; we purchased this part of the network in 2002.
Dig once: smarter, less disruptive upgrades
To minimise disruption, we follow a ‘dig once’ approach. We coordinate with Auckland Transport and Chorus so that:
- Power lines, telephone services, and streetlights are upgraded at the same time
- Streets only need to be excavated once, saving time and reducing impact on residents
Before
After
Where we're working
Recently completed: St Heliers
Completed in 2024, this project removed 420 power poles and overhead lines, replacing them with underground cables and Auckland Transport’s modern streetlight stands.
Current project: Beachlands
Starting October 2024 and expected to finish September 2026, this project, proudly funded by Entrust, majority shareholder of Vector, will underground power lines across the Beachlands area.
How areas are chosen
We select undergrounding project locations based on:
- The condition of lines and equipment
- Performance history, such as outages and capacity issues
- The number of customers who benefit
- Planned works by other utilities
Residents of a street can also apply to be considered for a co-funded, resident-initiated undergrounding projects. For more information, email us at info@vector.co.nz.
List of completed undergrounding projects
(including resident-initiated projects)
*Resident-initiated project
Year | Area/Suburb |
|---|---|
2025/26 | Beachlands Peacock Street, Glendowie* King Edward Street, Sandringham (part of the street) Maraetai Coast Road |
Year | Area/Suburb |
|---|---|
2024/25 |
|
2023/24 |
|
2022/23 |
|
2021/22 |
|
2020/21 |
|
Year | Area/Suburb |
|---|---|
2019/20 |
|
2018/19 |
|
2017/18 |
|
2016/17 |
|
2015/16 |
|
Year | Area/Suburb |
|---|---|
2015/16 |
|
2014/15 |
|
2013/14 |
|
2012/13 |
|
2011/12 |
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2010/11 |
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