Widespread power cuts affected around 80,000 homes and businesses over the past week and a comment placed in a weather blog this week has prompted WeatherWatch.co.nz to say a big “Thank You” to the men and women who have helped restore power.

Wendy wrote “With all this severe weather, I feel we should pause to think of the poor guys out there who have been struggling day and night to restore Power to our homes and businesses, especially during the worst of it when most of us were tucked up in out beds. So to all of those out there working hard to keep our services on. A big heartfelt thank you for your efforts”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz completely agrees – and invite you to send messages to those who worked to restore power – and to all the other emergency services around New Zealand who helped keep the country running over what was a very storm week for many.

– Homepage image / file – Reece Pickering