The Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme received Fast-track approval on 15 May 2026, the 23rd project cleared under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced the decision. The project allows Manawa Energy Limited to continue operating the existing scheme in the Bay of Plenty.
The approval took five and a half months from when the independent expert panel started work. This matches the average 118 working days for substantive Fast-track decisions once applications are complete.
Regime throughput
Fast-track statistics show strong throughput. Twenty-three projects have panel approvals. Sixteen have panels appointed. Forty-six remain in active processing.
| Status | Projects |
|---|---|
| Panel approvals granted | 23 |
| Expert panels appointed | 16 |
| Active substantive applications | 25 |
| Referral applications progressing | 21 |
| Ministerial referrals accepted | 47 |
| Schedule 2 pre-listed projects | 149 |
Local impact: 24,600 homes, 32% of Tauranga demand
The Kaimai scheme generates an average 169 GWh of electricity per year. This meets the annual needs of about 24,600 households and supplies 32 per cent of Tauranga demand.
Continued operation avoids an estimated 26,693 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year compared with fossil alternatives. The facility has run in some form for at least 50 years.
"The scheme generates an average of 169 GWh of electricity per year, equivalent to the electricity needs of approximately 24,600 households, and contributes around 32 per cent of Tauranga's electricity demand." — Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop
The scheme consists of four stations — Lloyd Mandeno, Lower Mangapapa, Ruahihi and Kaimai 5 — and is a run-of-river facility with daily storage, linked by canals and tunnels. The independent expert panel released its draft decision on 24 April 2026 and granted final approvals on 15 May 2026, subject to conditions including increased residual river flows, fish passage improvements and a sediment management plan.
Ministers on regional resilience
"Reliable renewable electricity generation is critical to supporting economic growth and regional resilience." — Regional Development Minister Shane Jones
"This scheme has been operating in some form for at least 50 years and continues to play a vital role in supplying electricity to the Bay of Plenty community. Fast-track is helping ensure important infrastructure projects like this can continue operating with greater certainty and efficiency." — Regional Development Minister Shane Jones
Energy transition context
New Zealand recorded 96.4 per cent renewable electricity generation in the December 2025 quarter. Hydro remains the largest source.
Electricity demand is projected to rise 65 per cent by 2050. The Fast-track regime lists 149 projects in Schedule 2 and has accepted 47 ministerial referrals.
