1990 - Underground cabling

In 1990, the question of underground cabling was raised again with the opportunity to supply Mokorua from Ōhope through the Pohutakawa Avenue conductor. The cost was a subject of intense debate between board member Malcolm Law and general manager P G Tilson.

Mr Law stated that the agriculture minister had indicated that consumers in rural areas would be responsible for the cost of upgrading power lines. He believed that if rural customers were going to be asked to contribute to their lines, then the added cost of underground must be contributed to by the customers in the urban areas.