Meridian, Contact invest $10m to accelerate smelter options

Meridian, Contact invest $10m to accelerate smelter options
Gavin Evans
Contact Energy and Meridian Energy have committed $10 million to enable upgrade work on the national grid in the lower South Island to reduce the impact of any reduction in production at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.The two companies are the biggest generators on the South Island and are the most exposed if the smelter, the country’s biggest electricity consumer, were to stop production. At present, there isn’t enough capacity on the national grid to get the surplus electricity that would come out of Southland and through the high-voltage...

More Infrastructure

Auckland Council to take over powers from AT
Policy

Auckland Council to take over powers from AT

Wayne Brown described the enabling legislation as a win for Aucklanders.

Community housing lender readies first social bonds
Finance

Community housing lender readies first social bonds

The Community Housing Funding Agency received an A+ credit rating this week.

Ōrewa housing developer pushes back on draft rejection
Infrastructure

Ōrewa housing developer pushes back on draft rejection

The Delmore project is the latest fast-track project to suffer a setback. 

Lyttelton Port Company reports record $25.2m profit
Infrastructure

Lyttelton Port Company reports record $25.2m profit

The South Island port achieved the result despite a dip in container volumes.

Oliver Lewis 04 Sep 2025