Powering an energy resilient future

Representatives from Westpac NZ and Northpower at the Wairua Hydro Power Station

Northland’s Wairua Hydro Power Station is more than 100 years old – an upgrade project by Northpower that’s being funded through Westpac sustainable finance is aiming to extend its lifespan for many decades to come.

Community-owned infrastructure and energy provider Northpower is overseeing the $26million upgrade of the station, which involves replacing two generators with newer, more efficient models. Once complete, the upgrade will double the current output of the station, meaning it will be able to power around 3,500 homes.

Northpower Chief Financial Officer Gordon Davidson says it’s a particularly meaningful project to be involved in.

“Wairua Hydro Power Station is an important intergenerational asset. By reinvesting in the scheme we’re going to get better energy flow for Northland as well as extend the life of the asset for more than 50 years,” Mr Davidson says.

In addition to replacing the generators, the project involves revamping the site’s penstocks (the pipes through which the water flows to the generators); enhancing the head pond area where water is stored; upgrading electrical and control automation equipment; relining a canal to enable increased water speed; and investing in screens to protect the eels that live in the river.  

Westpac is providing $26million in green lending to the project. In addition to the fact that the station utilises renewable energy, Westpac’s Sustainable Finance team recognised Northpower’s focus on reusing materials wherever possible; the company’s close working relationship with local hapu; and the investment in protecting local wildlife.

“We’re also really excited to support Northpower as a community-owned electricity distributor to be branching out into renewable regeneration, supporting local economy resilience and decarbonisation,” says Villy Kladi, Westpac NZ Associate Director Sustainable Finance Solutions.   

“Northpower has a strong focus on working to decarbonise Aotearoa. The fact that we’ve been able to reuse a lot of the concrete on the site, and generally reuse as many materials as we can, has been really important throughout this project,” Mr Davidson says.

Northpower operates a fish management plan at the Wairua Hydro Station and holds a fish permit with the local hapu, Te Parawhau ki Korokota, to safely relocate mature eels from the station's head pond to the river.

“Through this work, we've developed a strong relationship with Te Parawhau ki Korokota Marae, working together to support the operation of the station while protecting eels and native wildlife around Wairua. In doing so, we support the role of the hapu as kaitiaki, helping care for the river, its wildlife and the waterways that sustain them,” Mr Davidson says.

Melissa Burnett, Westpac NZ Executive Director, Head of Property Relationships, says Westpac is pleased to be financing the project.

“Everything Northpower does is top notch, from their approach to health and safety to their focus on sustainability and the way they’re working with the local community. We’re thrilled to play a part in such a meaningful project,” Ms Burnett says.

The project began in August 2025 and Northpower expects to be generating power through the hydro station again by in mid-2027.