New underwater power cable for Whitianga harbour

Work is to begin next month (October) to install a new marine electricity cable beneath Whitianga Harbour.  

The new 11kV cable will provide a stronger, more resilient power supply for the local communities, including Whitianga, Cooks Beach, Hahei, Hot Water Beach, and Whenuakite, Powerco General Manager Electricity Karen Frew says.  

"This project is needed because the existing marine cable is nearing the end of its operational life and is prone to damage as it is not buried beneath the harbour bed. The new cable will be installed using directional drilling and will be located up to six metres below the harbour floor to help secure the power supply to this popular holiday spot," Karen Frew says. 

"Burying the cable beneath the seabed where it is less exposed to extreme weather and rough seas, as well as boats, will increase energy resilience for this growing area." 

Construction is scheduled to start the week of 12 October, with harbour drilling works expected to take about three weeks starting at the Cooks Beach side of the harbour, subject to weather and site conditions, while the associated work on land in Whitianga is expected to be completed in March 2027. Work will stop between early December and Waitangi Day. 

Work will include the installation of the cable, telecommunications ducts, associated switching equipment and directional drilling works on both sides of the harbour crossing. 

During construction:

• The Ferry Landing carpark on Purangi Road, Cooks Beach will be unavailable from the week of 5 October for about six weeks (or longer, if required).
• There are 60 additional carparks available nearby on Purangi Road.
• The ferry timetable will not be affected, and ferries will continue to run as normal.
• The public toilet will remain open.Traffic management will be in place.
• Construction machinery and contractors will be working in the area. 

The construction works follows a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey in the Ferry Landing carpark in October last year. Karen Frew says the survey was to help ensure the project can be carried out in a way that protects the area’s unique cultural, historical and environmental values.  

“The GPR survey of the carpark mapped what was beneath the surface so we could carefully plan the cable’s route through that area and avoid any sensitive sites. Our contractors will use directional drilling, a low impact method that avoids disturbing the harbour floor, and engaged with mana whenua, local council, and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as part of the planning and consents process." 

A power outage is planned to connect the cable to switching equipment on the corner of Panorama Ave, Cooks Beach. Affected customers should receive notification of the planned outage through their electricity retailer (the company they pay their power bill to) or through Powerco's planned outages webpage closer to the time.  

Learn more about the Whitianga underwater cable project.