A transformer fire in Churton Park on April 14, 2025, led to widespread power outages across multiple Wellington suburbs, including Johnsonville, Ngauranga, and Glenside. Over 1,000 homes were affected, with emergency services and Wellington Electricity crews working throughout the day to restore supply.

Transformer Fire Sparks Emergency Response

At around 11:30 AM, emergency services were alerted to a fire at a transformer on Halswater Drive in Churton Park. According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, two fire trucks were dispatched. Firefighters were required to wait for the power supply to be isolated before they could safely tackle the blaze.

The transformer was severely damaged, with visible smoke and flames. Local resident Lisa Prior, who noticed the smoke, called emergency services. Another witness described hearing a loud bang moments before the smoke appeared.

Widespread Power Outages Across Wellington Suburbs

The fire initially knocked out power to more than 1,000 customers in the Churton Park and Johnsonville areas. Later, an additional 1,600 homes were temporarily disconnected to allow safe repairs. Suburbs affected included:

• Churton Park
• Johnsonville
• Ngauranga
• Glenside

Residents were left without power for several hours, with some facing outages well into the evening. A few took the opportunity to read or spend time outdoors, while others made plans to stay with family until power returned.

Repair and Restoration Efforts Underway

Wellington Electricity crews arrived swiftly on-site and began working to restore power using a technique called “back feeding”, which reroutes electricity from nearby substations. A full replacement of the damaged transformer was required, extending the timeframe for complete restoration.

By 3:00 PM, around 150 homes remained without electricity. Wellington Electricity estimated that all homes would have power restored by midnight. Traffic management was put in place during the repairs, with utility crews working late into the night.

Community Response and Preparedness

The outage prompted local residents to reflect on emergency preparedness. The Churton Park and Glenside Community Emergency Hub, designed to assist residents during crises, remained on standby.

Local authorities encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) resources to better handle similar events in the future.

Residents Urged to Stay Informed

Wellington Electricity continues to monitor its network to ensure stability following the fire. Residents are encouraged to sign up for outage alerts and follow Wellington Electricity’s website and social media channels for real-time updates.