Storm damage in Clutha. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
Power has been restored to another 500 properties in South Otago and Southland.
About 3000 properties remain without power more than a week after severe winds battered the lower South Island.
The state of emergency in Southland and Clutha has been extended for another week.
The same decision was made in Southland on Thursday following last week's storm.
The South Island was battered by severe winds that tore roofs of buildings, downed trees and toppled and twisted infrastructure like power lines, irrigators and water tanks.
PowerNet said there had substantial damage to the electricity infrastructure in the areas still without power.
It said people should not touch trees or debris which were on or near power lines, as lines could still be live.
It may take weeks to restore power to some areas.
Clutha Mayor Jock Martin said the declaration was extended following advice from emergency management authorities to allow PowerNet to continue emergency work to restore power and to offer Ministry of Primary Industries support for rural communities.
"With 1470 properties without power, we still believe we are in a response mode more than recovery and it is still very much an evolving situation. By staying in a state of emergency we are in a better position to provide our communities with the support they require while critical infrastructure is being reinstated," he said.
Extending the state of emergency by seven days also gave Clutha the flexibility to lift the status if it was no longer required, Martin said.
The Clutha district will also move to a restricted fire season on Saturday morning so a permit is needed to light fires outdoors.
Fire and Emergency had already asked people to be careful burning felled trees and debris.
FENZ said the fire danger remained relatively low in Clutha but resources were stretched, including difficulties accessing water and heavy machinery because of the clean-up.
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