Our Story
Through thoughtful stewardship, collaborative engagement, and strategic development, Taheke 8C Limited is shaping a future driven by clean energy, cultural integrity, and collective strength.
Our Story
Taheke 8C Green Energy Hub
Taheke 8C Limited was established by the Māori landowners of the Taheke whenua — The Proprietors of Taheke 8C and Adjoining Blocks Inc, with a clear vision: to promote sustainable development on their ancestral land and harness the value of its natural resources for future generations. Grounded in rich cultural heritage and guided by kaitiakitanga (guardianship), Taheke 8C Limited aims to generate long-term social, environmental, and economic benefits for its whānau and the wider region.
Our primary focus is the development of the Taheke 8C Green Energy Hub – an ambitious, multi-phase initiative to harness the geothermal and hydroelectric resources of Taheke 8C land for the production of clean, renewable energy. This forward-thinking programme reflects our commitment to sustainability, resilience, and mana motuhake (self-determination). By responsibly developing these resources, we aim to strengthen our economic foundation, create jobs, enhance regional infrastructure, and contribute directly to New Zealand’s renewable energy transition.
The Taheke 8C Green Energy Hub is more than just a collection of energy projects – it signifies a bold new direction for Taheke 8C. It unites generations of knowledge, modern technology, and trusted partnerships to create a platform for regional growth and community empowerment. Each step of this journey is guided by our values, our people, and our responsibility to uphold the mauri (life force) of the land and water.
Through thoughtful stewardship, collaborative engagement, and strategic development, Taheke 8C Limited is shaping a future driven by clean energy, cultural integrity, and collective strength.
The Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme
Renewable Energy
The Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme is a cornerstone project within the Taheke 8C Green Energy Hub, marking the second nationally and regionally significant renewable energy development on Taheke 8C whenua. Strategically situated along a 3-kilometre stretch of the Ōkere River, the Scheme is designed to generate 16.4 megawatts of clean electricity—enough to power approximately 12,000 homes each year. With an estimated annual energy output of 85 gigawatt-hours, the Scheme will consistently provide renewable electricity to support New Zealand’s energy needs.
As a run-of-river hydroelectric project, the scheme will operate without large dams or reservoirs. Instead, it will divert a controlled portion of the river’s natural flow through specially designed infrastructure, using the river’s elevation drop to turn turbines and generate electricity. This method minimizes environmental disruption and avoids the need to impound water, which is particularly important for preserving the cultural, ecological, and recreational values of the area.
The project has been designed with flexibility and resilience in mind. It will produce dispatchable electricity—meaning power can be delivered when it’s most needed—making it a valuable contributor to the national grid. This is especially important as New Zealand works towards its goal of 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030. The scheme’s ability to provide reliable, on-demand energy also enhances energy security, grid stability, and supports peak demand periods, particularly in the North Island.
By harnessing natural energy in a low-impact, culturally respectful, and technologically advanced manner, the Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme symbolises the potential of innovation and tradition working together.
What is a Run-of-River Scheme?
Environmental Responsibility
The Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme is a run-of-river hydro project – an environmentally conscious and technically efficient approach to renewable energy generation. Unlike traditional hydroelectric systems that rely on large reservoirs and dams to store and control water, a run-of-river scheme operates in harmony with the river’s natural rhythm. It directs a portion of the river’s flow through a turbine to generate electricity and then returns the water to the riverbed downstream, preserving its natural course.
This method provides significant environmental benefits. It minimizes the need for extensive infrastructure that can disrupt ecosystems, displace communities, or change landscapes. At Taheke, the run-of-river design ensures the Ōkere River remains largely undisturbed. It safeguards native flora and fauna, honors customary practices related to the river, and permits recreational and cultural activities to continue with minimal interference.
For Taheke 8C Limited, the choice of a run-of-river system reflects our values as kaitiaki (guardians) of our whenua and awa. It shows how modern energy infrastructure can be thoughtfully integrated into the natural environment when cultural perspectives and sustainability principles guide the design.
Besides its environmental advantages, the run-of-river approach offers operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It sidesteps large dams’ high capital and maintenance expenses and facilitates quicker construction timelines. This enables economic returns to the Taheke whānau sooner while aligning with New Zealand’s broader movement toward sustainable, locally driven energy solutions.
The Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme exemplifies innovation, honouring the past while creating a clean, resilient energy future.
National and Regional Significance
Clean Energy
The Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme is more than just a renewable energy project; it is a development of national and regional significance that will provide long-term value across multiple dimensions: environmental, economic, cultural, and technical. Its strategic design and strong regional alignment make it a crucial contributor to New Zealand’s clean energy future.
Nationally, the Scheme supports Aotearoa New Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon economy and aims to achieve 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030. With the capacity to generate 16.4 MW of dispatchable, baseload electricity—equivalent to approximately 85 GWh annually—the Scheme provides a reliable energy source that can be delivered on demand. This reliability is particularly valuable as intermittent sources, such as solar and wind, increasingly contribute to the grid. The Scheme’s ability to deliver power during peak times enhances grid stability and reduces the risk of blackouts or dependence on fossil-fuel peaking plants.
At a regional level, the project provides significant benefits to the Bay of Plenty and surrounding communities. It will generate local employment, stimulate infrastructure development, and create long-term opportunities for businesses and service providers. Throughout the construction and operational phases, the Scheme will support hundreds of job years and foster the development of specialist capabilities in renewable energy across the region.
Equally important, the project is being developed in active partnership with local iwi, integrating mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), tikanga (customary practices), and environmental stewardship into its design. This ensures that Taheke 8C’s role as kaitiaki is preserved and that the land, water, and cultural values of their rohe are honoured at every stage of development.
Significant Regional Economic Benefits
Economic Growth
The Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme is not only an environmentally sustainable project; it is also a powerful engine for regional economic growth. From the early planning stages to long-term operation, the Scheme is projected to deliver measurable benefits to the local economy, create new employment opportunities, and support social and economic development across the wider Bay of Plenty region.
By 2038, the Scheme is anticipated to contribute over $106 million to the regional economy. This includes both direct and indirect impacts—spending on materials, services, and infrastructure, as well as benefits for local businesses and suppliers. Importantly, the project will also create more than 1,030 full-time equivalent (FTE) job years throughout its lifespan, averaging about 74 local jobs annually. These positions will span construction and engineering to environmental management, operations, and ongoing maintenance, fostering valuable skills and capabilities in the region.
For the Taheke whānau, economic benefits go beyond financial returns. The Scheme creates pathways for training, apprenticeships, and leadership roles for rangatahi (young people), helping them build careers in the expanding renewable energy sector. It also strengthens the local economy by fostering long-term business partnerships including with iwi and hapu and improving local infrastructure.
The project aims to create lasting benefits—not just temporary boosts. It presents a unique opportunity to connect economic growth with community resilience and cultural integrity while also contributing to New Zealand’s broader shift toward sustainable, locally led energy development.
Environmentally Designed
Preserving Nature
At the heart of the Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme lies a commitment to environmental responsibility. As kaitiaki (guardians) of our land and waterways, the Incorporation and Taheke 8C Limited have ensured that every aspect of the project’s design reflects a profound respect for the natural world. The Scheme will generate clean electricity without relying on fossil fuels—helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit air pollution, and contribute to a more sustainable national energy supply.
The run-of-river design of the scheme ensures minimal disturbance to the surrounding landscape and ecosystems. Instead of constructing large dams or reservoirs, the project will carefully channel a portion of the Ōkere River’s flow through turbines, utilising its natural elevation to generate power before returning the water to the riverbed downstream. This approach helps protect aquatic life, native habitats, and the cultural and recreational values associated with the river.
In addition to clean energy generation, the Scheme includes integrated water management features that align with ecological and cultural goals. These features encompass habitat restoration, enhancement of mahinga kai (restoration of traditional food gathering practices), and measures to improve water quality by reducing nutrient loads and stabilising riverbanks. Collectively, these initiatives aim to support the long-term mauri (health) of the river system while delivering tangible environmental benefits for the rohe (region).
By integrating modern engineering with a values-based design philosophy, the Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme showcases how renewable infrastructure can coexist with and even enhance the environment it depends on.
Culturally Appropriate
The Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme is being developed not only on Māori land but also through Māori values, leadership, and vision. From its earliest stages, the project has been guided by tikanga (customary practices), mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), and the principle of kaitiakitanga—ensuring that the development honours the deep connections among people, land, and water.
For Taheke 8C Limited and its whānau, cultural integrity is not merely a box to be ticked—it is the foundation of how we conduct business. The Scheme has been shaped through engagement with our whanau, iwi and hapū, actively identifying opportunities for Māori to benefit from its development. Whether through procurement opportunities, employment pathways, or capacity-building initiatives, the project aims to empower whānau and support long-term rangatiratanga (self-determination) on Māori land.
The design of the Scheme integrates cultural values from the outset. This includes the protection of wāhi tapu (sacred places), carefully managing water as a living entity, and embedding monitoring and reporting into environmental management plans. The use of local knowledge, stories, and protocols has helped ensure that the project reflects—not imposes—a future vision that aligns with both economic aspirations and cultural identity.
Ultimately, the Taheke Hydroelectric Scheme demonstrates how energy infrastructure can be developed in a manner that respects te ao Māori, supports intergenerational resilience, and restores the balance between progress and place.