Latest news with #Northpower
NZ Herald
04-08-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Whangārei engineer Arden Hermans wins leadership award for inspiring women
The first event in Whangārei in 2019 was two years in the making, in part because schools were not convinced girls would be interested, she said. 'The career teachers said 'don't bother, girls aren't interested' and I thought, 'but you're talking to one and I think it's really cool'.' Hermans' perseverance paid off and she was backed by the likes of Northpower, Fulton and Hogan, Golden Bay Cement, Beca and Whangārei's mayor at the time, Sheryl Mai. The 2019 event was such a success it has been held every year in Whangārei since, including featuring former students now able to talk about the roles they have pursued. On top of opening doors for girls in Year 12 and 13, the events also help support women in infrastructure, Hermans said. 'It's giving opportunities for women in the sector to develop their own personal growth with public speaking and sharing what they do, and getting recognition from their companies.' Arden Hermans says receiving the Outstanding Leader of the Year - Office Award from the National Association of Women in Construction was very humbling. Girls in Infrastructure is now being taken on by Infrastructure NZ and expanding nationwide, with an event in the South Island planned for next year. Hermans is not settling down though, studying a Masters in Sustainable Business while also working fulltime, to help address what she sees is a gap in knowledge in Northland. 'Lots of people don't understand sustainability ... it's about having that full circle for whatever you're building.' At the National Association of Women in Construction awards, Herman was praised for the way she mentors, motivates and drives change. Association president Colleen Upton said she is the kind of leader who inspires lasting change. 'Her mentorship and vision have made a real difference.' Hermans said it was surprising and humbling to receive the award among such strong candidates, and to be praised in front of 600 people during the awards ceremony in Auckland on Friday night. It is the first such award she has won and Hermans said she hopes it will be her last, as she is happy to now nominate others. She was thankful to all those who have helped her along the way, including her partner, Darron Henwood. Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
RNZ News
23-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Northland businesses pitch growth plan to Ministers
Northland business leaders say the region's economy can grow six-fold by 2050, boosting incomes and the wider economy. They last night pitched to government ministers, outlining what the region needs to grow to a $60-billion economy by 2050. An NZIER report commissioned by the Northland Corporate Group - which includes big players like Northport, Northpower and Top Energy, as well as Ngapuhi, says that's indicative of sustained underinvestment in infrastructure as well as a skills shortage, and poor education outcomes. Kathryn speaks with Northland group co-chair by Rosie Mercer, chief executive of Marsden Maritime Holdings, and Andrew McLeod - chief executive of lines company and contractor Northpower. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
NZ Herald
23-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Northland business heavyweights pushing for $60b-a-year economy
Northland Corporate Group co-chairman and Northpower chief executive Andrew McLeod said the event was likely the first of its kind for any region and was a chance for Northlanders to stand in solidarity. 'It's a very positive chance for Northland to remind people what we do and what we're gunning for in the next 25 years,' he said. 'Everyone is standing up, to stand united in Parliament: that's a really cool thing.' The report was not about asking for a Government handout but to show what the north is capable of, encouraging confidence and private investment, McLeod said. However, there is also a need for central Government to play its part in planning for infrastructure, including ensuring there is a reliable road link from Northland to Auckland, he said. Northland Corporate Group co-chairman and Northpower chief executive Andrew McLeod says the regional solidarity shown in Wellington for the report's launch is unique for any region. Photo / NZME 'A reasonable state of infrastructure between Whangārei and Auckland is all that we're asking – it happens everywhere else in New Zealand.' Last year, Northland Corporate Group commissioned NZIER to investigate the benefits of a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Northland and it found it would boost GDP by $1.2b a year. A few months later, the coalition Government confirmed a four-lane highway to Whangārei, including over the Brynderwyn Hills. Companies have been asked to bid for a public-private partnership for the first stage. McLeod said the expressway report showed the importance of having analysis done and encouraged Northland Corporate Group to commission the new report. The report found Northland's GDP per capita is currently 30% below the national average but the region holds natural resource and geographical advantages. McLeod said all of the potential projects in the report have already been talked about, such as an energy precinct at Marsden Point, the Northport expansion and irrigation to encourage more horticulture. Northland Corporate Group includes Channel Infrastructure NZ, Culham Engineering, Marsden Maritime Holdings, McKay, Northpower and Top Energy, who employ a combined total of more than 3500 people. 'People don't realise Northland's economic muscle' McLeod said the report outlines the true impact of Northland's economy on Auckland and the rest of New Zealand, which may be a surprise to some. 'Typically, people think of us as a nice place to come on holiday but they don't realise our economic muscle.' Some facts about Northland highlighted in the report are: Channel Infrastructure supplies 40% of New Zealand's land transport fuel and 80% of the country's jet fuel, including the entire supply for Auckland International Airport. Culham Engineering is one of New Zealand's largest integrated engineering firms, providing fabricated steel for many large-span bridges and high-rise buildings. Golden Bay Cement in Whangārei is New Zealand's only domestic cement producer, manufacturing 60% of national demand for cement. Northland is a cornerstone of New Zealand's food system, including producing more than 90% of the country's kūmara and supporting high-value crops such as avocados. A large pipeline of renewable electricity generation projects in Northland scheduled for the next two years will be sufficient to make the region a net electricity exporter. Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Northland homes without power after severe gales
Thousands are without power in parts of the West Kaipara area after high winds ripped through Northland on Thursday afternoon. Northpower said 10 major lines were down and about 3200 customers were cut off across parts of West Kaipara. It said some of those would be homes, and water pumps and cow sheds were also affected. The area with the most concentrated outages is Mareretu - where over 1000 connections are down. And in Whareora, east of Whangārei, about 132 homes are without power after a tree smashed into a power pole. Northpower said crews were working on restoring the network, but it was unclear when power would back. Earlier this afternoon, a roof lifted off a Northland home and a truck and trailer flipped near Dargaville. FENZ said it had attended to six incidents, mostly relating to downed trees and power lines. A strong wind watch is in place for the part of Northland north of Whangārei, until 9pm tonight. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Northpower Trust 2025 AGM Bound For Whangārei
Northpower's electricity consumers throughout Kaipara and Whangārei are being encouraged to attend the Northpower Electric Power Trust (the Trust) Annual General Meeting on 30 July, 2025. Chair Phil Heatley says all Trust consumer beneficiaries connected to the Northpower electricity network can attend. They will hear from Trustees, along with the Northpower Board and Executive members about the company's performance the past year. Northpower Limited is owned by the Trust () on behalf of consumers connected to Northpower's electricity network in the Kaipara and Whangārei districts. Mr Heatley says he is looking forward to welcoming people to the AGM at Northland Events Centre on July 30. 'It is a good opportunity for Kaipara and Whangārei residents connected to the Northpower electricity network to meet Trustees, Northpower Directors and Management over a relaxed lunch. 'With more than 1400 employees stretching from Northland to many other regions throughout the North Island, Northpower is a significant home-grown success story we can all be proud of,' says Mr Heatley. 'An example of this success is the efforts of the team responsible for designing and building Northpower's first grid scale solar farm - Te Puna Mauri ō Omaru - at Ruawai. 'Stage one of solar project is now fully commissioned with the 16.8 MW solar farm capable of generating enough electricity to power over 3,000 average residential homes.' The Trust Deputy Chair Sheena McKenzie says in addition, phase two of the project was commissioned this month, delivering an extra 2.5 MW of clean energy, enough to supply a further 450 homes and businesses. 'Together, these milestones represent real progress in our commitment to a more sustainable and resilient energy future,' says Ms McKenzie. She says on behalf of Northpower consumers, Trustees continue to maintain a thorough overview of electricity sector and regulatory matters throughout the year. The Trust AGM will be held at Northland Events Centre, 51 Okara Drive, Whangārei. A light lunch will be served at 12:30pm.
