Future proofing power capacity for kiwifruit industry in Te Puke
| Client | Northpower |
| Location | Te Puke, Bay of Plenty |
| Status | Completed |
| Project Timing | October 2024 to December 2024 |
| Work Scope |
HDD install 125mm PE Power Duct Cable haul 33kv and 11kv power cable Assist with transformer & switch installation Traffic Management Retaining Walls |
The three-month project for Northpower (on behalf of Powerco) had a tight programme: the extra capacity needed to be live before the 2025 harvest brought more cool-stores online. Crews worked off a narrow raised shoulder with water and power services, doubling daily productivity on key shifts to keep ahead of scheduled connections works by the Northpower team.
“This was a job with firm deadlines and a lot customers waiting on the outcome. Good planning and a good working relationship with the Northpower team kept the job on track,” said Nathan Twaddle, MDD General Manager. ”
Key numbers
Duct installed: directional drilled 1,500 m of 125 mm PE duct, including 3 road crossings .
Cable hauled: 1750 metres of 3c300m2 HV cable. 550 metres of 4c35mm2 LV cable.
Civil extras: 4 retaining walls, 2 culverts and transformer & switch foundations installed
As Built Records: MDD GPS’d and marked all cable and duct installed to update Powerco Network GIS data.
Traffic control: 24 shoulder-closure days; 3 coordinated lane closures.
Safety: 0 recordable injuries; 1 low-voltage strike fixed same day.
Schedule: Practical completion 31 Jan 2025—within agreed programme.
A key variable was ensuring drill alignment navigated all existing services. With careful pre-planning, external service locates marking out existing services, followed by physical exposure of existing services ensured all 1,500 metres of duct was installed with no impact to the existing network. MDD also ran all traffic management shoulder closures to avoid contractor overlaps. Daily prestarts including Northpower project leads ensured work programmes were well coordinated and any changes in programme were absorbed without timetable slippage.
Why it matters
Powerco expects electricity demand across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke and Ōmokoroa to jump 40–75 % by 2035 business.scoop.co.nz. At the same time, Te Puke’s kiwifruit boom is driving multi-million-dollar investments in new pack-houses and cool-stores on Te Matai Road sunlive.co.nz. The upgraded feeders gives the capacity to get the coolstores online and enhanching the resilience of the local area.