Govt tests transmission options for smelter

Govt tests transmission options for smelter
Gavin Evans
The government has sought advice from national grid operator Transpower on what measures can be taken to help extend the ramp down of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. The smelter, the country’s largest electricity user, is slated for closure next August with the expected loss of 1,000 jobs at the site and a further 1,600 across supporting businesses in Southland. Operator Rio Tinto has been offered a lower power price by Meridian Energy to help extend the closure by up to four years, but that doesn’t include a separate transmission deal...

More Infrastructure

Could your KiwiSaver soon own your local water system?
Finance

Could your KiwiSaver soon own your local water system?

Founder Sam Stubbs says 90% of Kiwis back the idea of owning local utilities.

Garth Bray 03 Nov 2025
Big names for Wellington Water board
Finance

Big names for Wellington Water board

Credit rating agency warns that water reforms are no council debt panacea.

Pattrick Smellie 31 Oct 2025
US$411b on the table: will NZ claim a slice?
Primary Sector

US$411b on the table: will NZ claim a slice?

Infrastructure will be a major focus of the NZ EU Summit, but Ukraine might be too.

Dileepa Fonseka 24 Oct 2025
Wellington Airport's half-year passenger numbers down, net loss up
Infrastructure

Wellington Airport's half-year passenger numbers down, net loss up

A fall in domestic passenger numbers has been blamed on Air NZ's fleet problems.

Staff reporters 23 Oct 2025