Timeline
Tūwharetoa is a fourth generation descendant of Ngātoroirangi, who had mana whenua (authority) and exercised rangatiratanga (absolute sovereignty) over the area. Māori settled in the Kawerau area since that time, using geothermal for cooking, horticulture and warmth.
1950’s
The Kawerau Geothermal System was developed by the New Zealand government to supply industrial process heat to the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company.
Image: Whites Aviation Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library
2005
Tūwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te Tai purchase of the Crown’s Kawerau geothermal steamfield assets and supply business becoming the only 100% iwi-owned geothermal supplier in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Image: Manuhiri (visitors) to Tūwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te Tai during the World Geothermal Congress.
2009
Commissioning of new high-pressure clean steam plants to meet the requirements of Asaleo Care (formerly SCA Hygiene, now Essity).
2013 - 2014
Reinvesting in steamfield assets and future operations through new well bores, steam-water separators, additional resource consents, and supply to TOPP1 binary-cycle power plant.
2015 - 2016
Bringing steam field operations and management in-house, purchase of 21-MW TOPP1 binary power plant, and supply to new partner Sequal Lumber.
2017 - 2021
Increased supply to the Kawerau Industrial Complex through new partner Waiū Dairy, increased supply to Oji Fibre Solutions, and in-house operations of TOPP1 power plant. TOPP1 sold to Eastland Generation.
2021 until now and into the future…
Further drilling to enable the development of the resource. TOPP2 project breaks ground and delivers electricity to the grid in December 2025.
Renewable Iwi Energy helps our partners transition to a low-carbon future.
Looking forward, we aim to expand our role in New Zealand’s renewable energy landscape. Moving with the industry developments, we will continue to ensure our operational decisions are the best combination of scientific, commercial and mātauranga Māori (knowledge). With a firm commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cultural integrity, we are poised to lead the geothermal energy sector while preserving the legacy of Tūwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te tai iwi.
