Amuri Integrated Water Project open day in Waiau

Friday 10 February 2012

Ngāi Tahu Property and Meridian are holding a second open day in North Canterbury on 21 February, to discuss a proposed project in the area.

In October last year Ngāi Tahu Property and Meridian announced they had applied for resource consents for the take, use and discharge of water for a hydro-generation facility along the Amuri Plains reach of the Waiau River.

The community interest in the project at our first open day in Rotherham in October was strong and we received some good feedback about the integrated hydro-irrigation proposal, says Meridian’s water infrastructure development manager, Nick Eldred.

“A number of people asked about the river flows and so we’re presenting additional information on this at the Waiau open day in February.

“As the project progresses we want to continue to share information with the local community, and get their feedback,” says Mr Eldred.

The open day is in the Waiau Community Hall, 3 Cheviot Street, Waiau, Tuesday 21 February 2012.

“The community is invited to drop in any time between 2pm and 7pm to meet the project team, learn more about the project and share their ideas,” says Mr Eldred.

“People who want to receive regular updates on the scheme can give their contact details at the open day and we’ll keep them informed.”

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Claire Shaw
Meridian Energy
021 370 677
claire.shaw@meridianenergy.co.nz

Or,

Leanne Scott
Senior Communications Advisor
For Ngāi Tahu Property
021 272 1170
leanne.scott@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
 

Editor’s notes:

Amuri Integrated Water Project is a joint resource consent application lodged by Ngāi Tahu Property Limited and Meridian Energy Limited.

The applicants have applied for water consents for a hydro-generation facility along the Amuri Plains reach of the Waiau River. The consents are for a water take of up to 50 cubic metres per second, and a discharge of up to 55 cubic metres per second.

The project is significant and, subject to approvals, could take up to a decade before construction could begin.

Meridian Energy Limited is a state-owned renewable electricity generator that produces electricity from wind and water in New Zealand, wind in Australia and solar in the United States of America.

In New Zealand, Meridian is also an electricity retailer to residential, rural and business customers through our Meridian and Powershop brands. The company is New Zealand’s largest electricity generator, owning and operating seven hydro stations (six within the Waitaki Hydro Scheme) and four wind farms across the country.

Meridian acknowledges and supports the communities where our assets are located, where our customers live and work, and where we plan to develop generation assets in the future. Recently the government re-confirmed its commitment to achieving a 90% renewable energy target by 2025. The potential generation realised from the Amuri Integrated Water Project will go some way to help achieve that aspiration.

Ngāi Tahu Property Limited is owned by the South Island’s largest iwi which has more than 47,500 registered members.

Ngāi Tahu Property focuses on property investment, property management, property development and agricultural investment. In North Canterbury Ngāi Tahu Property is commencing the agricultural conversion of its Balmoral and Eyrewell properties comprising a total area of 16,100 ha. The first three pilot dairy farms (focusing on sustainable water quality and biodiversity outcomes) will begin operation next year. They will complement existing dryland sheep and beef operations.

The Waiau River catchment and Amuri area are part of the rohe (tribal area) of Ngati Kurī (Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura) and Ngāi Tūāhuriri (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tūāhuriri). Both rūnanga have been involved in discussions about the project via hui at appropriate mārae.