A power saving campaign is ready to be launched on television this weekend, but Energy Minister David Parker says there isn't a crisis and the lights won't go out this winter.
He said today that the adverts would be screened unless there was "significant" rainfall between now and Sunday, and going on the best advice the Government had, there was no need for stronger measures at this time.
"Power cuts are not even an unlikely prospect," he said at a press conference.
"There haven't been any power cuts in New Zealand since the 1970s and we don't think there will be any this year."
Mr Parker said a power saving target was not being set at this stage.
"We're certainly not asking the sick and the elderly to turn off their heaters," he said.
"We're not calling for people to turn off all their heated towel rails, but we would like them to think about whether they should leave them on overnight.
"It's not a crisis, it's just another step along the way when you have a dry winter."
