Embracing Te Ao Māori to Strengthen Whangārei’s Electricity Supply

The 110 kV transmission line between Kensington and Maungatapere is a critical infrastructure asset - nearly half of Northpower’s network in Northland relies on it. When land subsidence and destabilisation posed an imminent risk to a key transmission tower, Northpower took proactive action. A permanent solution was devised that would ensure the security of supply and embrace the principles of Te Ao Māori. Collaborating with the local hapū, Te Parawhau meant the history of the land was respected, and important cultural protocols shaped the project's delivery.

When land subsidence within a working quarry threatened to destabilise an existing lattice steel tower, a temporary solution of bypass lines was implemented. This stopgap solution had a two-year design life. The ongoing earth movement meant the project needed to be expedited on aggressive timeframes to install the permanent solution.

This ambitious project had to navigate:

• A culturally sensitive solution: The proximity to lands significant to Te Parawhau required a solution that respected and integrated Te Ao Māori principles.
• Environmental and Geotechnical Constraints: The destabilised ground and the adjacent Pukenui Forest presented significant challenges. The project team needed to design and implement a solution that minimised environmental impact.
• Critical Infrastructure Needs: With Whangārei’s electricity supply on the line, the project demanded a rapid yet robust solution.

Northpower engaged Edison to project manage the assessment, design, and construction of a resilient replacement for the compromised tower. This project was not about technical execution alone – it required a sensitive and collaborative approach to stakeholder relationship management. The cultural values and deep connection to the site of Te Parawhau were of the utmost importance.

Solution

The project’s successful and timely delivery was grounded in developing a strong partnership with Te Parawhau and all project stakeholders to ensure a technically sound and culturally aligned solution for Northpower. Edison’s end to end project management and targeted expertise addressed the technical and cultural dimensions of the project:

• Embracing Te Ao Māori: Edison worked closely with Te Parawhau, incorporating their insights and values into the project design. This collaboration ensured that the final solution was technically viable and culturally respectful.
• Leveraging high-voltage experience: Northpower strategically decided to engage Edison to project manage the assessment of permanent alternatives, detailed design, procurement, and construction of the high-voltage line.
• Effective Stakeholder Management: Proactive engagement with Northpower, Te Parawhau, local authorities, and environmental specialists ensured all stakeholders were aligned, consents were secured, and the project stayed on track.
• Targeted expertise: Added value throughout the project lifecycle, from developing line route options to overall project governance, stakeholder and contract management, procurement and construction project management.

Key Results

The staged transfer of the conductor to the new section of the 110 kV transmission line was completed in July 2024, marking a significant achievement for all parties.

• Improved electricity resilience for Whangārei.
• Project delivered six months ahead of deadline.
• Culturally aligned infrastructure that met the diverse needs and perspectives of hapū, community, landowners and local government.
• The strong and trusted relationship formed between Te Parawhau and Northpower creates the model for future collaborations.
• Northpower was recognised at the EEA 2024 Conference, winning the EEA Engineering Excellence Award.
• This engineering project was transformed into a unique cultural marker when the site was blessed, and the new tower (T29A) was gifted the name ‘Toitū Te Hihiri’ – 'to hold up the life energy that flows through us’ by Te Parawhau in September 2024.

Read Northpower’s project case study.