News

2024 He Ao Hou STEAM Education Professional Development Day a Success!

The 2024 Murihiku Regeneration He Ao Hou New Futures Programme hosted its 2024 STEAM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Professional Development Day, at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), in Invercargill on Friday 21 June.

The day was led by the Murihiku Regeneration Education Workstream Lead, Ivan Hodgetts and supported by Dr Dave Warren and Professor Sally Brooker from the University of Otago. Other speakers included the region’s Director of Education, Julie Anderson and Curriculum Advisor Loretta Schmidt.

22 schools registered for the 2024 programme, that includes outreach visits led by Dr Warren.

Ivan Hodgetts commented that, “it was great to provide a STEAM education focused professional development day again. We appreciated the numbers attending and enthusiasm for the topic. Dr Warren and I are looking forward to getting out into the schools with our expanded range of energy technology.”

“On Friday, 38 people attended, which was great given the rate of illness in the community. There were some apologies due to illness etc, but we expect to pick these up through the year,” said Ivan Hodgetts.

The He Ao Hou programme is a part of the Murihiku Regeneration Te Ara Aukati Kore Workstream, and is sponsored by Meridian Energy, Woodside Energy, the Ministry of Education and the University of Otago.

The programme provides hydrogen kits to participating schools, gives teachers guidance on how to build green energy technology into school planning and curriculum. It also provides practical support from the University of Otago and the Ministry of Education, to help teachers and their schools to share with their students.

We would really like to thank our sponsors for their commitment to help build curiosity and interest in STEAM based learning, through something interesting like creating green hydrogen, for young people in our Murihiku community.

“This is going to be critical for their own future, but also for the future of our communities,” said Terry Nicholas, Programme Director for Murihiku Regeneration.

Over the coming weeks, further work and support will be provided through the programme to the participating schools.

For those Murihiku-Southland schools who still want to participate - please contact us.

Posted: 1 July 2024

NZAS hosting two forums – 25 June Invercargill and 26 June Bluff to update community

New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) has advised that it will be hosting the next round of its Community Forums on 25 June (Invercargill ) and 26 June (Bluff) to update the Murihiku-Southland community on its latest news – including its very recent announcement around securing a 20 year power price agreement.

We have been asked to share this information out to our networks. Details on the event are as follows:

Tuesday 25 June (Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill) and Wednesday 26 June 2024 (Te Rau Aroha Marae, Bluff)

5.30 to 7.30 pm

All welcome (RSVP required *)

You are invited to join us at the first round of our 2024 community forums to get the latest news on NZAS. Light refreshments will be provided.

Alongside Ngāi Tahu we will talk about the work we are doing in partnership with manawhenua, including the remediation and environmental monitoring, and planning on and around the smelter and peninsula.

NZAS leaders will also share information about:

• Recently announced 20 year energy contract deal
• Business performance and priorities, including waste management and our renewed focus on environmental performance
• Procurement and employment opportunities

We want to hear from our community members. Please feel free to forward any pre-questions to [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]. There will also be question time from the floor at the end of our presentation, and a chance to mix and mingle with NZAS leaders afterwards.

* RSVP: for catering purposes we ask for all attendees to register in advance by emailing [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]. Registrations close on Monday 24 June.

Posted: 13 June 2024

Expansion of Kaiwera Downs Windfarm Good News for Murihiku

Mercury NZ Limited confirmed on Friday 7 June that it will be proceeding with the expansion its Kaiwera Downs wind farm near Gore, following a long-term agreement signed with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters last week.

We’re excited to start another project that will help Aotearoa New Zealand move to a lower-carbon future.

We’re committed to playing our part, and increasing New Zealand’s renewables is a key way we can contribute,” said Mercury’s Executive GM Portfolio, Phil Gibson.

Mr Gibson said a strategic high-quality pipeline positioned Mercury well to help lead the transition to more renewables.”

“ We want to congratulate Mercury for this important milestone.They have been keeping Hokonui Runanga and Murihiku Regeneration informed on their progress, and shown a willingness to collaborate,” says Terry Nicholas, Hokonui Rūnanga Upoko and Portfolio Director for Murihiku Regeneration.Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm - Stage 1 Map - Posted by Mercury on Issuu on Sep 12, 2022

“ We have developed a green energy plan for the region, that is based around creating a regional (green) energy zone (REZ). The Kaiwera Downs Stage 2 project is an important part of that. It signals the need for good coordination, better planning and to ensure that new industries and infrastructure can be developed in our region.

He also adds that, “reliable green energy for the region will be increasingly important to create much needed future capacity for the region, to give certainty to new development projects, and create new jobs and future opportunities.”

On the subject of the Tiwai decision, “We have worked hard with and on behalf of Rio Tinto to ensure the Smelter stayed in the long term, and committed to cleaning up its spent cathode linings industrial waste (SCL). Also that it will now consider new decarbonisation opportunities.”

“Overall, we also see the need to create a lower cost of energy to all consumers, that is how Murihiku-Southland will prosper.”

Mercury and Hokonui/ Murihiku Regeneration will be meeting in July to discuss this project and other collaboration opportunities.

Key Project highlights

• Capital expenditure of $486 million for the project.

• Once completed, the 155 MW project (525 GWh pa) will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of ~73,000 homes per year.

• It will bring the total capacity of the Kaiwera Downs wind farm to 198 MW, the second largest in New Zealand.

• Construction is expected to start in June 2024 and reach full generation by the end of calendar year 2026.

For more information see the Otago Daily Times news story ‘Smelter reprieve triggers Gore wind farm expansion’

Posted: 10 June 2024

Te Rūnaka o Awarua and Murihiku Regeneration supports Tiwai future

Te Rūnaka o Awarua and Murihiku Regeneration welcomes the announcement that NZAS has secured a 20-year electricity deal enabling the Tiwai Aluminium Smelter to continue operating.

Awarua Upoko, Tā Tipene O’Regan, welcomed the news which provides certainty to the local community, and supports New Zealand’s contribution to a low carbon future.

“Since we entered into an MOU with Rio Tinto Aluminium in 2022, Awarua has been leading the partnership on behalf of Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and actively engaging with NZAS on environmental remediation, cultural considerations, and future intentions. We look forward to continuing this important work with NZAS and Rio Tinto.”

“The demand response capacity Tiwai will now provide will be invaluable as New Zealand’s energy demand, and climate change, put more demand on the national grid. Ensuring stable electricity supply while reducing the need for coal-based energy is critical to New Zealand’s emission reduction efforts.”

NZAS has secured energy supply from Meridian Energy, Contact Energy and Mercury until at least 2044, giving certainty to employees and supporting New Zealand’s contribution to a low carbon future.

The 2022 agreement between Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu with the New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) and Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited committed to jointly restoring Tiwai’s natural environment and securing the smelter’s future beyond December 2024. All parties agreed to work together on plans to remove waste, enhance environmental monitoring, and remediate Tiwai Point, which are key priorities for mana whenua, NZAS and Rio Tinto, and of benefit to all Southlanders and indeed Aotearoa New Zealand as a whole.

Murihiku Rūnaka hold mana whenua and mana moana over the region and therefore have kaitiaki responsibilities over Tiwai and its waters. Murihiku Rūnaka is comprised of four Papatipu Rūnanga: Te Rūnaka o Awarua, Waihōpai Rūnaka, Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka and Hokonui Rūnanga. Te Rūnaka o Awarua is leading the partnership on behalf of Murihiku Rūnaka and will actively engage with NZAS and all parties around remediation, cultural considerations, and future intentions. Upoko o Te Rūnaka o Awarua Tā Tipene O’Regan has advocated for this partnership and is pleased to reach today’s milestone.

“I believed there was a long-term future for the smelter, which is so vital to our region and nation. Securing that for at least another two decades gives us all the best chance of environmental remediation that is world-class and mana-whenua informed.”

“It is important to note that while the remediation issue is led by Te Rūnaka o Awarua, it is also supported by other Rūnaka within Murihiku,” he said.

The agreement is a commitment by the iwi to share mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and kōrero tuku iho (history and traditions) relative to Tiwai to support Rio Tinto to responsibly manage the environment as the future of the smelter is determined.

All parties believe the region now has a strong future upon which emerging industries, technologies and renewable energy sources can bring new jobs and a wide range of economic benefits.

For more information

Media release Energy Deal 1 & Energy Deal 2

RNZ - Tiwai certainty welcome, but concerns about $2 billion subsidy

RNZ - Tiwai Point aluminium smelter to stay open until 2044

SCOOP - Tiwai Deal A Great Relief For Workers And Southland Community

Posted: 5 June 2024

Tiwai smelter to stay open in 20-year deal

The aluminium smelter at Tiwai in Southland has secured energy supply from three generators until at least 2044, giving certainty to employees and the local community, and supporting A portfolio of contracts with Meridian Energy, Contact Energy and Mercury Energy will provide a volume of 572 MW required to run the three potlines at the smelter.New Zealand’s contribution to a low carbon future.

Meridian Energy, Contact Energy and Mercury have concluded deals to provide price certainty for the smelter with the 572 Megawatts (MW) it needs to keep producing high purity aluminium for global export and domestic supply.

“With these agreements concluded, the uncertainty for our hard-working team members and Southland is now over, and we can get on with producing the aluminium New Zealand and the world needs for its energy transition,” said NZAS Chief Executive Chris Blenkiron.

Today’s announcement marked the end of complex negotiations spanning over 18 months.

“It has been a long process to get to today’s announcement, but worth the effort to secure a long-term future for New Zealand’s smelter and the many benefits associated with this,” Mr Blenkiron said.

“We have been deliberate and taken our time, to ensure we see a new, long term and sustainable future for the smelter, and give that certainty to our employees, Southland, and New Zealand,” he said.

Key elements of the deal are:

• Twenty-year power arrangements through three energy generators, replacing the single contract with Meridian Energy.
• A portfolio of contracts with Meridian Energy, Contact Energy and Mercury Energy will provide a volume of 572 MW required to run the three potlines at the smelter.
• Separate contracts with Meridian and Contact will enable up to 185 MW of dry year demand response to be made available, to ensure the smelter plays its part to keep the lights on when New Zealand needs it most. Read: Tiwai becomes New Zealand’s largest battery and helps to keep the lights on.
• Environmental remediation commitment and programme continues.
• The new deals look certain to help underpin development of further renewable energy projects.

Mr Blenkiron said the negotiations had been carried out in a spirit of openness, with all parties focused on the sustainable future of one of the country’s largest export earners, along with the smelter’s ability to act as a battery for the New Zealand energy system.

“This is a significant new chapter in the history of New Zealand’s smelter, and for Murihiku/Southland, and I want to thank everyone, from NZAS, Rio Tinto, our energy partners, Ngāi Tahu, the Southland community and our employees, for getting us here today,” Mr Blenkiron said.

Posted: 31 May 2024