Gisborne's mayor says local businesses are being hit hard by district-wide power cut, following a fatal plane crash on Monday.
Two people were killed when a small top-dressing plane hit high voltage power lines near Wairoa about 9am.
The crash cut power to 40,000 people in the Gisborne region, and Mayor Meng Foon says power is likely to be out until Tuesday night.
Generators are being used at petrol stations, food stores and cellphone towers, but 90 percent of businesses have had to close.
Gisborne Hospital is still open and able to help those who need power for medical reasons.
"We've given advice that all of the people who need health support, like the kidney people and people that need air, they need to contact the hospital," Mr Foon says.
Civil Defence says parents should check with their schools as to whether they will open.
Residents have been told to conserve water to ease pressure on the sewerage system.
Police say they will have extra staff on the ground conducting patrols while power is off in the region.
Newshub.
