Northland MP and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters wants a hardline approach to those responsible for a major power outage in his electorate if it's found the damage was deliberate.
Parts of the Transpower Network have been repaired and power turned back on for thousands who had been without power or cellphone coverage since Thursday morning.
Bullet casings were found at the base of three transmission towers and police are investigating what caused the damage.
Crews looking for the cause of the outage on Thursday morning found three damaged glass insulators.
"We suspect, but cannot confirm, the cause of this damage to be malicious with firearm bullet casings found at the base of the towers where damage has occurred," said Transpower's Rebecca Wilson.
"A lot of our insulators are damaged or removed completely."
Mr Peters says if the police find the power lines were intentionally damaged then the culprits should face a "tough penalty".
"We want them to do hard labour in the community. They need to be putting their backs into doing something useful for the many people they have hurt through such deliberate and spiteful acts," Mr Peters says.
He believes those responsible need to understand how many people and businesses have been affected by their actions.
"Electricity supply is essential and any outage is disruptive, medically dangerous and costly so those deliberately shutting it down must be taught a lesson.
"Hard yakka is not cruel and nor does it trigger any of the objections that a lame government and Opposition will put up," says Mr Peters.
Around 32,000 households from Kaikohe and further north were affected.
Cellphone coverage has also been restored to nearly all Vodafone customers in the affected area.
Earlier in the day, the majority of both Spark and Vodafone cellphone towers were out of action with only a number being run by back-up generators.
One of the damaged towers (Transpower/supplied)
Earlier on Friday, Transpower's Rebecca Wilson said they were working hard to get the power back on in difficult weather conditions.
"We're very sorry - obviously we try to keep the power on to people as much as possible."
So far Kerikeri High School, Kaitaia College and Ahipara School have confirmed they will not be opening this morning.
Far North District Deputy Mayor Tania McInnes says it's a bad look for the town.
"Generators will be coming in we speak, so I'd say that would be the key thing, particularly for food outlets."
Far North councillor Felicity Foy says the power cuts are relatively frequent, and she's disappointed.
"This is major for our economy because our businesses need a steady power supply."
Meanwhile, a cruise ship carrying more than 1000 people is docking in Paihia Harbour, and that's expected to create more chaos.
"It's quite unfortunate, and not the best look when you're bringing visitors into the area," says Ms McInnes.
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