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
Ngāti Tūwharetoa 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 Ngāti Tūwharetoa 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 steamfield operations and management in-house, purchase of 21-MW TOPP1 binary power plant, and supply to new partner Sequal Lumber.
2017 - 2018
Increased supply to the Kawerau Industrial Complex through new partner Waiu Dairy, increased supply to Oji Fibre Solutions, and in-house operations of TOPP1 power plant.
Present and the Future
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.
