Stage 1 Karakia

He Ahi Eco-Business Park in Taupō was blessed with a karakia today ahead of earthworks commencing on Stage 1.  The park development in set on 40 hectares of industrially zoned land to the northeast of the Taupō township and adjacent to SH1.  The karakia delivered by Tyson Taikato, and which was attended by the major consultants and contractors, is performed to aid in enusirng that the site is safe from a tīkanga Māori perspective.

The business park is being developed by He Ahi Limited Partnership, but more importantly is an investment by Māori Trust – Te Pae o Waimihia.  Te Pae o Waimihia is a collective of six local hapū from the township area.  Trust Chairman, Ngahere Wall says ‘The Park is an investment in our future and an investment in a future for our members and our generations to come’.

Greg Stebbing is Chairman of the Board for He Ahi Limited Partnership and following the karakia he reflected on the journey the project team have travelled to get to this point, stating, ‘It’s been a long journey, but we are finally at this important point in the development and I am looking forward to the completion of the civil works later this year.’  His words were reinforced by Blandina Diamond, the Project Director who said, ‘The design, planning and consenting has been a complex three years, but thanks to our great team of consultants we have designed a product we can be proud of.’

He Ahi purchased the land from Contact Energy in May 2022 and both parties are now working together to delivery a development that can offer geothermal heat to tenants or buyers.  Contact Energy already has two existing geothermal wells onsite that can supply in excess of 15 megawatts of geothermal heat to the Park.  He Ahi have included special design and operating values within the park that are associated with sustainability, environmental protection and climate change.  For example, electricity being supplied by renewable energy sources, geothermal heat available for manufacturing heat requirements, landscaping and a high-end stormwater system. 

Blandina says ‘All land developments have impacts on the environment, albeit whenua, water, our air, wild-life, plants, noise and light.  As much as possible we want to reduce the negative impacts our development will have and instead promote protection, awareness and a respect for what we leave our future generations.  We will be asking the same of any future buyers and tenants.’

He Ahi have already completed a Design and Build project within the park for their first tenant TNUE.  TNUE, which stands for, Total Nutrient Efficiceny Use, represents the type of green technology that He Ahi wants to have in the park, alongside other tradition tenants.

Stage 1 of He Ahi Eco-Business Park will consist of 13 sites which will be ready in October 2025.  The sites will vary in size and be available for sale or lease.  He Ahi have already recently delivered five premium industrial LOTS to the market in an adjacent block of land on Rakaunui Road.

Situated just six kilometres from Taupō CBD and within easy access to State Highway 1 the park also boasts an industrial area that is zoned for heavy industry.  The park will sit alongside existing businesses like Contact Energy, Tenon, Laminex, Nature’s Flame and other manufacturing, logistics and engineering firms.

Te Pae O Waimihia has been the sole investor of the development to this point in the project – a reflection of its multimillion-dollar commitment and financial performance. Te Pae o Waimihia is also involved in other properties and significant projects within the district, while it’s charitable trust provides health and education benefits to it’s members.   Meanwhile, the Taupō District Council has recently upgraded the district airport and has released land for both industrial and residential development to attract more businesses to the area.