A major milestone in New Zealand’s renewable energy journey was marked today with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm, located on Pāmu’s Ōmāmari farm in Northland.
The $287 million wind farm is a partnership between Mercury and Pāmu, alongside mana whenua Te Roroa and turbine manufacturer Vestas. The development is a first for Northland and will feature 12 of New Zealand’s tallest wind turbines at 206 metres high—second only to Auckland’s Sky Tower.
The 77-megawatt project will generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately 27,000 homes, equivalent to the entire Far North District. Construction is now underway and is expected to inject significant employment and economic stimulus into the region, with around 150 people working on-site at peak.
Energy Minister Simon Watts and Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton were joined at the ceremony by local iwi, dignitaries, and representatives from Pāmu, including Board Director Paula Savage, Chief Investment Officer Andrew Sliper, Senior Legal Counsel Kim Ellwood, Business Manager Craig Bell, and Farm Manager Brendon Egan.
Speaking at the event, Andrew Sliper highlighted Pāmu’s legacy of evolving land use:
“At Pāmu, change is in our DNA. For over 150 years we’ve adapted our approach to unlock the best potential of the land—from sheep and beef to dairy, deer, forestry, and now renewable energy. This wind farm not only boosts energy security for Northland, it helps New Zealand meet its climate goals and supports our local communities with jobs and long-term benefits.”
The project builds on Pāmu’s strategy of enabling complementary land uses that contribute to the environment, community, and economic resilience. Sliper acknowledged the essential role of partnerships in bringing the project to life, particularly the collaboration with Te Roroa and Mercury.
Farm Manager Brendon Egan said the community was proud to see the development taking shape:
“You can feel the buzz around town. This project shows Pāmu is committed to the future of Northland—people are talking about it, and they’re proud to see our land contributing to something so positive.”
Kaiwaikawe is one of three major renewable energy projects Mercury currently has under construction, which together are expected to lift the national electricity supply by around 2%—a significant boost after two decades of flat growth in energy demand.
