Whitianga Harbour marine cable
Work begins in October 2026 to install a new marine electricity cable beneath Whitianga Harbour.
The cable will provide a stronger, more resilient power supply for local communities, including Whitianga, Cooks Beach, Hahei, Hot Water Beach, and Whenuakite.
The existing harbour cable is nearing the end of its operational life and is prone to damage as it's not buried beneath the harbour bed. The new cable will be installed using direction drilling and will be located up to six metres below the harbour floor to help secure the power supply to the area.
Construction is scheduled to start on 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. Associated work on land in Whitianga is expected to be completed by 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 (see maps below).
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.
- Ferry services and access to the public toilets will remain unaffected.
- 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.
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.
Northpower, Universal Underground and Valley Thrusting Contractors will be carrying out the work on behalf of Powerco.
If you would like to contact us about this work, please email community@powerco.co.nz.
Frequently asked questions can be found below.
Above: The new marine cable will be installed using direction drilling and will be located up to six metres below the harbour floor between Cooks Beach and Whitianga.
FAQs
Powerco is installing a new 11kV marine cable beneath Whitianga Harbour between Cooks Beach (Purangi Road) and Whitianga (The Esplanade) to replace the existing cable which is reaching the end of its operational life. There will also be associated connection works in road reserve at each end of the cable (between the Cooks Beach Ferry Landing carpark, up Purangi Rd to the corner with Panorama Ave, and along part of The Esplanade and Monk St.
The existing cable is nearing the end of its life and is more prone to damage. The new cable, beneath the seabed, will improve reliability and resilience of the local electricity supply.
Construction is expected to begin around 12 October 2026 from the Ferry Landing carpark on Purangi Rd, Cooks Beach.
Work in the harbour is expected to take about three weeks, while the associated work on The Esplanade, Whitianga is expected to continue through to early December 2026. Work will pause between early December and will resume after Waitangi Day. The work timeline is dependent on weather and site conditions.
Ferry services will continue to operate as normal throughout the project.
Temporary traffic management will be in place around work sites to keep everyone safe. Delays are expected to be minimal.
Carparks at Ferry Landing (Purangi Road) will be temporarily unavailable in the early stages of the construction period. Alternative carparking is available in the upper carpark nearby.
Pedestrian access and general access to the ferry and surrounding areas will be maintained at all times, unless otherwise advised.
The public toilets will not be affected by the work.
Some noise and visible construction activity is expected, including machinery and drilling equipment. Works will be managed to minimise disruption where possible.
Directional drilling allows the cable to be installed deep beneath the harbour floor, reducing environmental impact and avoiding disturbance to the harbour bed.
The project has undergone environmental assessment and engagement with mana whenua, including cultural values impact and archaeological assessment.
Planned power outages may be needed for the connection works to existing electricity equipment. Affected customers should be advised ahead of time by their electricity retailer (the company they pay their power bill to) and published on Powerco's planned outages page closer to the time.
Our General Enquiries team, call 0800 769 372 (our business hours are 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday), or email customerexperience@powerco.co.nz.
