Lines companies are having to spend less money than they'd like upgrading, fortifying, and adding capacity to their networks over the next decade.
A majority of New Zealanders are worried the network won't hold up in extreme weather events over the coming decade, and they're also concerned it will become unaffordable.
That's according to a survey taken late last year, on behalf of the Consumer Advocacy Council which represents small electricity consumers.
The Electricity Networks Association says the sector has already budgeted billions in spending - but because they are monopolies their spending is capped at 4.5 percent of their asset base.
The association's chief executive Graeme Peters spoke to Kim Hill.
