High-Rise Heart of Auckland Left in Dark

As darkness fell Saturday, the lights in the commercial hub of New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, failed to go on because of a freak electricity outage.

Scores of offices, banks, shops and restaurants in the high-rise heart of the metropolis were without electricity due to a combination of power cable failures.

Although the vast majority of Auckland’s 1 million residents were unaffected by the blackouts, gloom fell over its proud corporate headquarters, banking towers and even the country’s tallest structure--the 1,070-foot Sky Tower.

A service assistant at the adjoining Sky City casino complex explained that, although gambling, restaurant and hotel activities were all running normally using in-house generators, the sparkling metal and concrete clad tower was not a priority.

“We have turned most of the lights on the tower off, but we are still telling everyone who phones that business is running as usual, and they are coming in,” he said.

Outside, the looming landmark blended into a gray, overcast night sky, only its aircraft warning lights defining its distinctive tapered pinnacle.

Many hotels and offices have their own generators. The local power company, Mercury Energy, is guaranteeing only the maintenance of essential services.

On Hobson Street, half a block from Sky Tower, Television New Zealand’s colorful headquarters was also working at full speed thanks to its diesel-powered generators.

Presenters of the evening news program finished their show from the basement studio by reassuring viewers: “In spite of the problems in Auckland, we will stay on the air, thanks to TVNZ’s own generators.”

Extra police officers thought they might have some work on their hands once night fell, but no arrests related to the power problems had been made by Saturday evening, police inspector John Mitchell said.