The Project
Hokonui Line Project
This project will improve the security and capacity of the local electricity network and create economic growth in Southland.
To support Fonterra's growing electricity needs at Edendale, a new 110kV above-ground power line is being built. This project will improve the security and capacity of the local electricity network, helping to power the UHT plant and future decarbonisation projects.
The project involves building a 10-kilometre, 110kV overhead distribution line that will run between two new substations - one located on Cuttance Road and the other at Fonterra's Edendale site.
These substations will enable a more reliable and resilient power supply to the area, ensuring the site is well-positioned to meet both current and future electricity demand.
Hokonui Line will play a vital role in helping Fonterra meet its sustainability goals while ensuring a secure and reliable power supply to support ongoing operations at Edendale and beyond.
What it means for local residents
As with any major infrastructure project, there will be some disruption during the construction of the new line. This could include short periods of increased activity, noise, or restricted access in areas close to the construction route.
We're committed to keeping residents well informed and will provide plenty of notice ahead of any work that may affect you. We'll also work hard to minimise any inconvenience and ensure the community remains well across the project as it progresses.
Questions and answers:
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The project involves building a 10-kilometre, 110kV overhead distribution line that will run between Fonterra’s Edendale site and a new GXP (named Puna Awa) located off Cuttance Road.
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As Fonterra invests in growth projects and removes coal from its operations, there are growing electricity needs for their Edendale site. The new GXP off Cuttance Road and substation on the Fonterra site will enable a more reliable and resilient power supply, via the new 110kV line.
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Overall construction (including new GXP and substation) – November 2025-August 2027
Line build construction – September 2026 – August 2027
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During construction, residents along the line route can expect to have some traffic management in place where work is happening. This will be well signposted, so please follow all traffic management directions.
Most of the work will be occurring on private property so will have minimal impacts on the general public, however there may be additional heavy traffic on some roads.
For some parts of the work, there may be power outages affecting a small number of properties to allow our teams to work safely. Affected residents will be advised directly and any disruption will be kept to a minimum.
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A GXP is a grid exit point which is where the electricity exits Transpower’s main line and is then redirected to the appropriate power lines.
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The new line ensures a secure power supply for Fonterra, while also removing some pressure off the existing Edendale network. This new 110kV line and substation at Fonterra will lighten the loads on the existing substation that can be used for the wider community.
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The new line will deliver the increased capacity needed to support economic growth in the region. It will help power Fonterra’s new UHT plant, which is currently under construction, along with key site upgrades such as two new electrode boilers. The line also plays an important role in supporting Fonterra’s transition away from coal.
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Power in New Zealand is sourced from several generation options including wind and hydro. All power feeds into the high-voltage national electricity transmission grid (like a big bucket) managed by Transpower. The transmission network consists of 174 substations, 25,000 transmission towers, and more than 11,000 kilometres of lines that run the length and breadth of the country across public and privately-held land. These lines and substations transport bulk electricity (up to 220,000 volts) from where it is generated to cities, towns and some major industrial users.
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The poles will range in size from 22 metres to 24.5 metres above ground. They will extend up to six metres into the ground to ensure a strong foundation.
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Any potential increase to fire risk is minimal. It is common practice to build high-voltage distribution poles and transmission towers with steel. The poles also go deep underground so they are well earthed which reduces the risk of lightning being conducted to surrounding vegetation.
With any powerlines, vegetation is actively managed, so it does not go close to the conductors. This is important when there are high winds or lightning storm conditions, which is when the weather increases fire risk.
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The appropriate consent for the line has been obtained from the Southland District Council through the usual consenting process. Southland District Council determined the consent application did not need to be publicly notified.
Puna Awa Grid Exit Point
Transpower’s new grid exit point (GXP) off Cuttance Road has been gifted the name ‘Puna Awa’ by tangata whenua.
While not the traditional name for this area, it acknowledges local water sources with puna meaning ‘source’ and awa meaning ‘river’ or ‘stream’.
Puna Awa GXP is close to the source of the Waihopai River, Te Tipua Stream runs past the property and close by under the ridge is the Oteraumaka Creek.
The intersection of the power lines at Puna Awa GXP replicates the crossing of the local awa, a representation of the interaction between human activity and water and land use.
Project Stages
Construction Stages
Project Timeline
Overall Project Construction: Mid-November 2025 to March 2028
Line Build Construction: Mid-September 2026 to Mid-August 2027