Power was restored to Haast early yesterday, six days after one of the biggest recorded floods in the Haast River damaged the town's hydro scheme.
Kerry Eggeling, a civil defence adviser, said electricity came back on at 4am.
Thanks to more heavy rain, the river apparently got enough water down it overnight to flush out the gravel blocking the intake, he said.
NZ Energy contractors were working until 11pm on Sunday, Mr Eggeling said.
The power cut had left some people "growly''.
Those south of Okuru had power for most of the time, but it was off in the Haast township.
Some people had their own power plants, although some failed under the load, he said.
"They had not been used much in the last 20 years.''
It was a good reminder for people to check their generators and run them every month or so.
Liz Beagle, from Aspiring Court Motels, told RNZ the settlement was like a "ghost town''.
"We are the business hub of Haast and should have an emergency generator,'' she said.
