Waitaha Hydro

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)