PUKE KAPO HAU

We have issued Notice to Proceed, with works beginning in November 2026. This follows Board approval in August 2026 and completion of grid connection studies with Transpower. Construction is expected to take two years.

Our key development partners include Higgins, Electronet and German turbine supplier Nordex, a major global player in onshore wind energy.

Fast-track requires more detailed information upfront for an application to be considered. However, the benefit is a streamlined, all-in-one approval process that helps move quality projects forward more efficiently.

The process took about nine months. An independent panel made the final decision, and you can read more about the process on the Fast-track website.

No. Regardless of process, we remain committed to developing and delivering our projects by engaging with iwi, community and stakeholders (landowners, councils, Department of Conservation), always considering their thoughts and concerns on the impact on the environment.

We’ve been engaging with the neighbours and local community members including Lee Stream School (we love Lee Stream School). We are building a mailing list to keep local people in the loop and to hear concerns and questions, you can join on: mahinerangiwindfarm@mercury.co.nz.

Yes. A key difference with our project is that it has already been through an Environment Court process in 2010 and so the environmental effects of the original wind farm are accepted. Our updated plan includes new wind turbine technology which will reduce the number of wind turbines we’ll need, therefore reducing the project footprint.

Up to 200 people will work on the wind farm each day during peak construction. Many of our team and delivery partners have worked on the Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm expansion near Gore.

We will also establish an annual community fund to support groups and communities around the wind farm.

Puke Kapo Hau will add renewable electricity to help meet New Zealand’s growing demand, support the electricity system’s resilience and power economic growth.

The development is another step towards Mercury’s target of adding 3.5TWh of new generation by 2030 — the equivalent of powering an additional 500,000 homes.

We have invested $1b over two years in three new energy projects that will deliver 1.1TWh. That includes the Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm Stage 2 in Southland, the Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm in Northland and the expansion to our Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Station near Taupō.

Puke Kapo Hau marks the next phase of our renewable energy development. Alongside future wind, geothermal and solar opportunities, it supports our target of adding 3.5TWh of new generation by 2030.

To learn more or arrange to discuss with a member of the team, contact us at pukekapohauwindfarm@mercury.co.nz