Tauhei Solar Farm Extension

Project summary

The construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of an extension to an existing Tauhei Solar Farm, including consequential changes to conditions of consent for the Tauhei Solar Farm. The extension will provide for an additional 50 MW AC of electricity generation which will be supplied to the national grid.

The project comprises:

• approximately 115,000 solar panels and associated electricity infrastructure with an installed capacity of approximately 50 MW AC
• underground cabling and associated electricity infrastructure to connect the project to the existing Tauhei Solar Farm substation and the national grid via Transpower's Waihou Substation
• internal access roads, vehicle crossings, earthworks, and stream crossing works primarily for the installation of culverts
• security fencing, lighting, monitoring equipment and other operational infrastructure
• temporary construction facilities and associated construction activities
• landscaping, ecological restoration and planting, including riparian and wetland restoration works
• ongoing agricultural activities, including sheep grazing
• other ancillary works required to support the construction, operation and maintenance of the solar farm
• minor consequential changes to the existing Tauhei Solar Farm consent as required.

Project location

Approximately 95.6 hectares of rural land at Te Aroha West in the Matamata-Piako District, Waikato.

The project area is located immediately south of the existing Tauhei Solar Farm and spans three land parcels across two titles. The project area is bounded by Mikkelsen Road to the west, Waihekau Road to the south, and is bisected by O’Donoghue Road.

Project referral

The Minister for Infrastructure referred the project to the Fast-track on 28/09/2026. The application was lodged on 27/07/2026.

Notice of decisions on application for referral of the Tauhei Solar Farm Extension project (PDF, 176 KB)