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COMMUNITY
WE VALUE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CATALYST PROJECT
TO BUILD AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW ZEALAND.
We welcome you to contact us with queries or feedback at any point throughout the development and construction of this project and look forward to hearing from you.
Our goal is to provide opportunities for local employment and local contractors, develop skills and create new business opportunities for others in our region. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved.
The following link from the New Zealand Wind Energy Association provides some useful information if you
would like to know more about this type of project: http://www.windenergy.org.nz/store/doc/Considering_a_wind_farm.pdf
Contact us here
Archaeological Study
To understand and protect the heritage of the land, an archaeological assessment was performed at the planned turbine location.
While the assessment did not identify any evidence of cultural sites, all excavation will be supervised by hapū observers with any discovery managed under archaeological discovery protocol.
Culture
The project is situated on land owned by Paraninihi Ki Waitotara (PKW) in South Taranaki, in the rohe of Ngāti Manuhiakai hapū and Ngāti Tu hapū, and part of Ngāruahine Iwi.
Engagement from the mana whenua hapū, Ngāti Manuhiakai and Ngāti Tu has been invaluable during the development of this project. Hapū kaumātua have visited the site and performed an initial blessing, with a formal site blessing to take place prior to construction beginning.
The project seeks to support the joint development of strategies to improve sustainability and enhancement of the environment as well as articulating kaupapa Māori through the project, and support the four Ngāruahine strategic pou. We look forward to growing our cultural understanding and building a deeper relationship with both mana whenua hapū as the project progresses.
Ngāti Manuhiakai have provided a letter of support for the project. During the consenting process, Cultural Impact Assessments (CIA) were prepared by Ngāti Tu and Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust on behalf of Ngāruahine Iwi with suggested actions incorporated into the consent conditions.
You can find copies of the Letter of Support and Cultural Impact Assessments here:
Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust CIA
Community Consultation
Members from the Hiringa Energy and Ballance Agri-Nutrients project team have also hosted two community information sessions to discuss the project with the public. The first community evening was held in Kapuni during November 2020, and the second evening in Manaia in May 2021.
The community information sessions provided attendees an opportunity to have in depth one-on-one discussions, and learn about the project.
A community consultative group will be established to facilitate information flow and enable the community to engage with the project team. This group will comprise of representatives from the community and hapū.
Consenting Process
The project applied for the Covid-19 fast track consent process and was referred to the expert consent panel for consideration by Minister Parker in Feb 2020.
The project was accepted to this process on the basis that it provides:
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Employment during construction;
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Infrastructure to contribute to Improve economic and employment outcomes;
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Assist and improve environmental outcomes for air quality form emissions generated from natural gas at the Ballance Kapuni plant; and
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Assist and improve environmental outcomes for air quality form emissions generated from transport through utilisation of green hydrogen.
The consent application included all environmental effects assessments and stakeholder consultation to that required of normal RMA consent process, with some additional requirements at the Minister's request.
Multiple interested parties were asked for comment as part of the process.
The process was completed and the consent granted in December 2021.
CONTACT US
Hiringa Energy
Matt Luscombe
Head of Development & Projects
027 675 9780
Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Joanne Mahon
General Manager External Relations
0800 222 090