Approvals granted 17 April 2026
The expert panel for the Waitaha Hydro project granted approvals for the application, subject to conditions.
- Listed
- Applied
- Comments
- Panel considering
- Decision
Project summary
Develop a hydroelectric scheme in the Waitaha River to provide renewable energy, including:
constructing, operating, and maintaining a weir to divert a portion of the Waitaha River into an approximately 1.5 kilometre tunnel to convey water to a powerhouse
constructing and maintaining an access road
a 66 kV transmission route, conveying power from the scheme to the distribution connection point on State Highway 6.
Project location
Within the true right bank of the Waitaha River, between the lower end of Kiwi Flat and Macgregor Creek within Waitaha Valley, 38 kilometres south of Hokitika.
Project listing application
Waitaha Hydro application – Ministry for the Environment website
Completeness decision
The substantive application by Westpower Limited was deemed complete on 29 August 2025. The application complies with the requirements of section 46 (2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. The application was lodged on 8 August 2025.
Record of decision on completeness and scope – Waitaha Hydro substantive application (PDF, 84KB)
Competing applications decision
The substantive application by Westpower Limited was deemed to not have any competing applications of existing resource consents on 12 September 2025. This decision is required under section 47 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Record of decision on competing applications – Waitaha substantive application (PDF, 85KB)
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Correspondence
Minutes, directions and other correspondence to and from the panel convener and expert panel regarding the Waitaha Hydro project. -
Reports and advice
Read reports, advice and further information sought in relation to the Waitaha Hydro project. -
Conferences, workshops and hearings
Watch and learn more about conferences, workshops and hearings in relation to the Waitaha Hydro project. -
Expert panel
Information about the expert panel appointed to consider and decide the Waitaha Hydro project. -
Comments from invited parties
The expert panel invited written comments on the application from the persons or groups set out in section 53(2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. -
Draft decision and conditions
On 13 March 2026, the Waitaha Hydro project expert panel released its draft decision and conditions. -
The decision
The expert panel for the Waitaha Hydro project has granted approvals for the application, subject to conditions.