Source: New Zealand Government
Fast-track approval has been granted for New Zealand’s largest wind farm project.
Contact Energy lodged a substantive application for the Southland Windfarm in August 2025. The proposed wind farm will be developed across 58km² of privately owned land in eastern Southland, about 30km southeast of Gore.
“Approval has taken around 5 months following the commencement of an expert panel,” Mr Bishop says.
“This project, with national benefits, will significantly increase the amount of power supplied to the national grid.
“The wind farm will generate up to 380 megawatts (MW) and provide power for up to 150,000 households and includes 55 wind turbines, each up to approximately 7MW in capacity.
Mr Jones said the project would inject $13.5 million into the local economy and create up to 300 jobs during construction. Once commissioned, it would employ about 10 to 14 full-time equivalent staff to operate the wind farm.
“The real significance of this infrastructure lies in the ability to unlock further investment and attract new industry to the region.
“The Fast Track process is about cutting through unnecessary delays to unlock the projects that matter. It gives regions the certainty and momentum they need to create jobs and drive long-term economic growth.” Mr Jones said.
Energy Minister Simon Watts says the project will make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s energy future.
“As New Zealand’s biggest windfarm to date, the Southland project will play an important part in achieving this Government’s vision of reliable, affordable and abundant energy supply for New Zealanders,” Mr Watts says.
“More generation in the system will help keep downward pressure on prices and shore up security of supply.”
“In addition to the turbines, a wind farm substation, and access roads, the project’s second major component involved grid connection work – including constructing the transmission lines needed to connect the wind farm to the Transpower National Grid,” Mr Bishop says.
“It’s worth noting this project, in an earlier form, was previously declined resource consent after years of process, largely due to concerns about landscape and visual effects on the surrounding rural environment.
“That is exactly the kind of outcome New Zealanders have been frustrated with, where projects of clear national benefit get tied up or turned down after long, uncertain processes.
“Fast-track is changing that by providing a more balanced, timely, and effects-based pathway to get critical infrastructure like renewable energy projects built.”
For more information about the project: Southland Wind Farm
Fast-track by the numbers:
• 15 projects approved by expert panels.
• 22 projects with expert panels appointed.
• 43 projects currently progressing through the Fast-track process.
• 39 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure.
• 149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.
• On average, it has taken 128 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.
Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:
• Arataki [Housing/Land]
• Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
• Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land]
• Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying]
• Green Steel [Infrastructure]
• Homestead Bay [Housing/Land]
• Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying]
• Maitahi Village [Housing/Land]
• Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land]
• Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land]
• Southland Wind Farm [Renewable energy]
• Sunfield [Housing/Land]
• Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
• Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 [Infrastructure]
• Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying]
Expert panels have been appointed for:
• Ashbourne
• Ayrburn Screen Hub
• Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
• Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project
• Central and Southern Block Mining Project
• Delmore
• Haldon Solar Farm
• Hananui Aquaculture Project
• Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme
• Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works
• Mahinerangi Wind Farm
• North West Rapid Transit
• Pound Road Industrial Development
• Ryans Road Industrial Development
• State Highway 1 North Canterbury – Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus)
• Stella Passage Development
• The Downtown Carpark Redevelopment – Te Pūmanawa o Tāmaki Haldon Solar Farm
• The Point Mission Bay
• The Point Solar Farm
• Waitaha Hydro
• Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project
• Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal
