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Te Mihi Geothermal Power Station Pre-hearing Meeting Outcomes Report

10 June 2008

1.0 Introduction

Contact Energy Ltd is proposing to build a new geothermal power station in the Wairakei -Tauhara Geothermal Field in an area known as Te Mihi near Taupo.  The proposal involves a number of associated activities including a new transmission line, a new switchyard, air discharges and discharges to land and groundwater.

The Minister for the Environment, Hon Trevor Mallard, called in Contact Energy Ltd’s proposal in February 2008 and appointed an independent Board of Inquiry to consider the applications by Contact Energy, the submissions received on these, to hold public hearings and to make a final decision on the proposal.

As part of this process a pre-hearing meeting was held on Wednesday the 21st of May in Taupo. Session Two of this pre-hearing meeting considered the issues brought up in submissions concerning local iwi. It was decided that a second pre-hearing meeting was required to address issues raised by iwi and this second pre-hearing meeting was held on the 6th of June in Taupo. This report provides a summary of the outcomes of this meeting.

2.0 Attendance

The pre-hearing meeting was facilitated by Mr Morris Love. The following table sets out the names of the persons who attended that pre-hearing meeting and who they were representing.

3.0 Outcomes

The purpose of this session was to discuss the issues raised by local iwi, in particular Te Kapa o Te Rangiita ki Oruanui and Tauhara North 3B Trust. The following outcomes were agreed in this session:

3.1 Archaeological Features

As part of the evidence in chief distributed by Contact Energy, a draft set of conditions are put forward by Mr Stephen Daysh. A change to the draft condition regarding cultural/archaeological sites in the three land use consents was agreed to. This is condition 3 of the proposed power station land use consent (Contact Energy’s evidence, exhibit SGD 1, page 1), condition 3 of the proposed switchyard land use consent (Contact Energy’s evidence, exhibit SGD 1, page 21) and condition 2 of the proposed transmission line land use consent (Contact Energy’s evidence, exhibit SGD 1, page 32). These conditions will now read as follows:

The consent holder shall ensure that the cultural/archaeological sites protocol and attached as appendix two shall be adhered to.

Note: In addition to the above protocol, the consent holder shall also ensure the legal requirements of the Police, Historic Places Act 1993, Antiquities Act 1975 and any other governing legislation are adhered to.

An amendment to the wording of the Cultural/Archaeological Sites Protocol referred to above was also agreed to. In particular the second paragraph of section 4.3 will be amended. This paragraph is located in Contact Energy’s evidence exhibit SGD 1 pages, 17, 28 and 38. The paragraph will be amended as follows:

In the event that kōiwi are discovered, Contact Energy shall contact and consult with the representative of Ngāti Te Rangiita hapū ki Oruanui and advise the Strategic Communications Officer of Taupo District Council and then contact the Historic Places Trust, the New Zealand Police on the advice of the representative of Ngāti Te Rangiita hapū ki Oru. As set out in section 4.4 of this protocol, a Plan of Action will be developed for the discovery of kōiwi.

The changes to the protocol are to be made by Gayle Leaf who prepared the document.

3.2 Peer Review Panel

The general conditions applying to the Wairakei consents require that a Peer Review Panel be established. The draft consent conditions prepared by Contact Energy for the Te Mihi project provide that the same general conditions of consent apply as are attached to the Wairakei consent. Thus the Peer Review Panel is to be maintained. The Peer Review Panel membership comprises three technical staff and one hapu representative.

It was agreed that alongside this Peer Review Panel, a Hapu Review Panel will be established which will contain a representative from each hapu in the Wairakei – Tauhara area. It is intended that the members of the Hapu Review Panel will provide an interface between the local hapu and the hapu representative on the Peer Review Panel, with an annual hui a hapu being held. The establishment of the Hapu Review Panel is to be agreed between Contact Energy and hapu. Gina Rangi is to suggest specific wording as a starting point.

3.3 Section 127 Variation to Wairakei Consent 104712

This application is to vary the consent conditions relating to the quality of cooling water discharged from the existing Wairakei power station to the Waikato River.  This application is outside the scope of this consent process. Contact and hapu have agreed that discussions between them will occur concerning this consent.

3.4 Reinjection

Contact provided an indication of the area where reinjection may be undertaken, one such area being to the south of the power station site, between State Highway One and Poihipi Road. It was agreed that a Cultural Impact Assessment will be undertaken prior to any drilling work in this area.

3.5 Groundwater (Potable Water Supply)

Hapu are to discuss their concerns and any questions are to be provided to Contact Energy. The evidence of Chris Bromley and Stewart Cameron should be read, and the evidence of Craig Stevenson and David Ray also be referred to.

3.6 Surface Features

Concerns over the effects of the applications, including subsidence, on surface features was discussed. The evidence of Chris Bromley and Brian Carry is to be referred to.

3.7 Discharges to Air

Hapu are to discuss their concerns and any questions are to be provided to Contact Energy’s air discharge expert (Craig Stevenson) to be answered. The evidence of Craig Stevenson should also be referred to.

Contact agreed to provide a map that shows the air discharge contours overlayed with the cultural features map (prepared by Gayle Leaf) to Ngāti Te Rangiita hapū ki Oruanui.

3.8 Cultural Impact Assessment for Poihipi Road

It was discussed that a Cultural Impact Assessment has not been undertaken for the Poihipi Road station. This will be discussed between hapu and Contact Energy once some specific scientific advice from Dr Craig Stevenson is obtained regarding any particular discharge issues associated with the Poihipi discharge that may be relevant.

3.9 Earthworks

The area in which earthworks are to be undertaken for the power station is remote from the three identified cultural sites; Te Mihi Maunga, Rock Art Feature and Raparapa Maunga. Draft condition 33 as outlined in Contact Energy’s evidence (exhibit SGD 1 page 9) is intended to provide an exclusion zone for operations or maintenance.

Contact Energy are to provide a land contour map to Gina Rangi to enable hapu to map the extent of the three cultural sites noted above. Further discussion is to take place on this issue.

3.10 Te Rau O Te Huia Stream

Although no take or discharge associated with this stream is part of the current applications it was noted that a baseline study of the current health of Te Rau O Te Huia Stream has been initiated by Contact Energy in which hapu are involved. From this information a Cultural Health Index is to be prepared which hapu wish to have primary involvement in. The results of these baseline studies are to be presented back to hapu.

3.11 Water Takes

Resource consent has been obtained for the taking of water from sources including Te Rau O Te Huia Stream and therefore consideration is outside the scope of this consent. The baseline study of Te Rau O Te Huia Stream (as noted above) is to be considered by all parties.

3.12 Rock Art

All parties are to note that the effect of discharges to air on rock art requires consideration.

Last updated: 10 June 2008