About West Wind

The 62 wind turbines at the West Wind farm generate enough electricity each year for about 71,000 average New Zealand homes.

West Wind is the third wind farm Meridian has built in New Zealand.

West Wind farm

Why build a wind farm here?

West Wind uses one of Wellington’s most renowned natural resources – wind.

The funnelling effect of Cook Strait means the site has strong and consistent wind speeds, making it an ideal place for a wind farm.

Building West Wind

Right from the early stages of planning, it was clear that getting the turbine components to the site would require innovative solutions.

To avoid Wellington’s busy streets, Meridian constructed a temporary wharf at Oteranga Bay where turbine parts were shipped in. Thirty-three kilometres of roads were built to link the wharf to the wind farm site.

West Wind Recreation Area

The West Wind Recreation Area is now open to the public, so come along and get closer to the turbines, or walk or mountain bike the tracks on the wind farm.

Giving the public access to West Wind has been part of Meridian’s plan since the project was consented in 2007.

Meridian has worked on the recreation area in collaboration with the Makara community via a recreation group and community liaison group.

The recreation area includes the old Post Office building, which has been converted into a viewing platform – retaining some of its most unique features and creating a space where views of the coast and the wind farm can be enjoyed.

From here visitors can take a short walk to the People’s Turbine, one of the wind farm’s 62 turbines, and the only turbine that the public will be able to access on the site. However substantial views of the wind farm can be seen from most parts of the recreation area.

There are also two other walking tracks of various lengths and difficulty that offer fantastic views of the coastline and access to Makara Beach from the recreation area. Two mountain biking tracks, designed and constructed by Wellington mountain bikers Jonathan, Paul and Simon Kennett, provide some wonderful challenges for keen mountain bikers.

Public access to the recreation area is via Opau Road. Car parking is available for 60 cars.

The recreation area will be open from 9am – 6pm in the summer (1 October to 31 March), 9am- 4pm during winter (1 April to 31 July). It will be closed during lambing season (1 August to 30 September).

Sorry no dogs are allowed in the recreation area.