Waitara electricity upgrade

Between August 2024 and March 2025, the electricity network in Waitara, north Taranaki, was upgraded. 

The project included installing new underground power cables and replacing the single overhead power line with double overhead lines, benefiting more than 7,000 customers. The two-line route means power will continue to be supplied to customers if the other one is unavailable, ensuring the community’s power supply remains reliable now and into the future and enables future growth of the area.  

What was involved? 

• 2.3km of new underground power cables were installed 
• 1.8km of single overhead 33kV power line was replaced with double overhead lines 
• As the area is historically significant, members of Otaraua and Pukerangiora hapū and the New Zealand Archaeological Society were on site to oversee digging works.