Govt eyes new $4b hydro-power project

Govt eyes new $4b hydro-power project
Gavin Evans
The government will spend $30 million to investigate a potential $4 billion hydro scheme in Central Otago to reduce the need for coal and gas-fired generation in dry years and create jobs in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods said the funding will investigate a range of pumped hydro options around the country, but its main focus will be on testing the business case for a project at Lake Onslow, south-east of the Roxburgh dam operated by Contact Energy. If built, the project would be the first majo...

More Infrastructure

Cost of full defence infrastructure renewal now $15b
Infrastructure

Cost of full defence infrastructure renewal now $15b

Cabinet has agreed to a new defence estate plan with 'sharper' cost estimates.

Thomas Manch 27 Nov 2025
ComCom sets out price path for gas networks
Infrastructure

ComCom sets out price path for gas networks

Auckland bills will rise about $4 per month.

Ian Llewellyn 27 Nov 2025
Northland outage: Class action law suit launched against Transpower over felled pylon
Infrastructure

Northland outage: Class action law suit launched against Transpower over felled pylon

A class action has been filed against national power grid operator Transpower and its lines maintenance contractor, Omexom, over the June last year outage that left much of Northland without power for days.The class action seeks to recover losses on behalf of all Northland busine...

Staff reporters 27 Nov 2025
Draft approval clears way for OceanaGold expansion
Primary Sector Exclusive

Draft approval clears way for OceanaGold expansion

The Waihi North Project is the first mine set to be approved under the fast-track law.

Garth Bray 26 Nov 2025