If it's on your property, it's your responsibility.

This message is being underlined by electricity distributors, worried by the parlous state of power poles on private land.

The Electricity Networks Association says infrastructure is deteriorating through lack of maintenance.

Chief Executive Graeme Peters told Mike Hosking it's the same as gas, water, sewage and driveways, you are responsible once it's on your land.

"The difference is that if something goes wrong with your water or sewerage or your driveway you think 'oh well when it breaks I will fix it', you can't do that with electricity lines because that's too late. You actually have to make sure they are well maintained otherwise someone will get really badly hurt."

Peters says they need more flexibility to deal with landowners, on a case by case basis.

LISTEN ABOVE AS GRAEME PETERS SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING