Name suppression has been refused to two men charged over the damage to power pylons that caused a 12 hour power blackout for the entire Far North.

Nathan Cooper and Korey Pirini appeared in the Kaikohe District Court this afternoon charged with intentionally damaging power insulators, and unlawful possession of a .303 rifle and ammunition.

Pirini faces an additional charge of cultivating cannabis.

Neither man entered a plea and both will be back in court on January 17th. .

Cooper has been remanded in custody .

Both men live in the Northland town of Moerewa.