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How the National Environmental Standards deal with electricity transmission activities (3 of 12)

These pages set out aspects of the NES that Transpower and councils need to consider for transmission activities.

  1. Summary of the NES
  2. Operation of existing transmission line and use of access tracks
  3. Overhead conductors and adding overhead circuits
  4. Earthwires and telecommunications cables
  5. Work on underground conductors / Taking existing overhead transmission lines underground
  6. Increasing voltage or current rating / Electric and magnetic fields
  7. Transmission line support structures — alteration, relocation, and replacement / Temporary / Removal
  8. Telecommunications and signs / Devices / Signs
  9. Discharges
  10. Trimming, felling, and removing trees and vegetation
  11. Earthworks
  12. Noise and vibration from construction activity

Overhead conductors and adding overhead circuits

Work on conductors

Some work on conductors is permitted. Where applicable, conditions relating to the number and size of conductors and Conditions relating to EMF must be met. Refer also to Technical information: Work on conductors.

Explanation: definition of conductor

The definition of 'conductor' includes "any hardware and insulation associated with the wire or cable".  Hardware or insulation includes, but is not limited to: marker balls, weights, joints, spacers and insulation casing around the wire or cable. The regulations apply to 'conductors' and 'parts of conductors' - regulation 3.

Explanation: maintaining conductors

Maintaining overhead conductors is a permitted activity, with no specific conditions – regulation 6(3).

Explanation: replacing conductors

Replacing conductors or parts of conductors is permitted provided that the replacement conductors are not more than 50mm in diameter (or larger than the existing conductors, if they are larger than 50mm) – regulation 6(2) and 6(6). 

Explanation: adding conductors

Adding conductors or parts of conductors is permitted, provided that the configuration is no more than duplex, and the diameter of conductors no more than 50mm. Conditions relating to EMF must also be met – regulation 6(1). 

Explanation: work on conductors that does not meet permitted activity conditions

Work on conductors that does not meet the permitted activity conditions for configuration or size is restricted discretionary - regulation 9(1) and 9(2). The local authority has discretion to take account of the following matters in determining whether to grant the consent, and in setting conditions:

  • visual effects; and
  • the effects and timing of construction works; and
  • the effects on services and infrastructure.

Work on conductors that do not meet the applicable permitted activity conditions for EMF are non-complying - regulation 13.

Adding overhead circuits

Adding overhead circuits is a permitted activity only if the support structures have been designed and built to take the additional circuit - regulation 8. This means that the cross-arms are already in place (but not necessarily the insulators). There are only four lines that are known to be configured like this:

  • Inangahua – Kikiwa B
  • Inangahua – Westport B
  • Haywards – Melling A
  • Hairini – Mt Maunganui B.

View a map of the National Grid.

For this activity to be permitted, the circuit must be configured as no more than duplex, the diameter of any new conductors must not exceed 50mm, and all of the conditions relating to EMF must be complied with. If the configuration and/or size conditions are not met (but the EMF permitted activity conditions are), the activity is restricted discretionary - regulation 9(5).

Explanation: adding circuits to lines not built for extra circuits

Adding circuits to lines that were not built to take an additional circuit is restricted discretionary, provided that the EMF permitted activity conditions are met. If the configuration is more than duplex, or the diameter of the new conductors exceeds 50mm, the activity is restricted discretionary - regulation 9(5). The local authority has discretion to take account of any of the following matters in determining whether to grant the consent, and in setting conditions:

  • visual effects; and
  • the effects and timing of construction works; and
  • the effects on services and infrastructure.

If the transmission line does not meet EMF conditions (Explanation:  EMF conditions) once the circuit is added, then the activity is non-complying - regulation 13(1)(b) and regulation 10.

Refer to Explanation: breach of EMF conditions non-complying.

Associated activities that may need consent

Work on conductors or circuits may require ancillary work such as tracking to access the lines or earthworks to create platforms for equipment.  Noise may be generated by machinery or from implosive jointing of conductors. See Work on conductors to determine what other consents may be needed for a project to maintain or upgrade conductors.

This work may be done in conjunction with other activities such as upgrading telecommunications and tower maintenance.

See a project example

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Last updated: 18 January 2010