PowerNet is celebrating a major milestone in the expansion of its network management business into the North Island, with the new electricity distribution network at Hamilton’s Ruakura Superhub now live.

PowerNet was appointed in 2024 to manage the electricity distribution network for the Ruakura Superhub (developed by Tainui Group Holdings), one of New Zealand’s largest inland port and logistics precincts, located in the Waikato.

PowerNet Chief Executive Paul Blue said it is very exciting to be working with the new iwi-owned electricity distribution business – believed to be the first time an iwi has established a commercial network of this scale.

He said PowerNet’s appointment to manage the network for Ruakura Energy reflects the value of our asset management expertise, operational scalability, and business system maturity.

“Our proven capability will support the growth in energy demand as the Ruakura Superhub reaches full capacity over the next three decades,” Mr Blue said.

“This is an exciting opportunity to support Tainui Group Holding’s investment plans.”

The Superhub development and establishment of Ruakura Energy has been a significant achievement, with the network’s connection to Transpower a major milestone.

For the past three years it has operated as an embedded network supported by Wel Networks.

However, today’s connection marks the network moving to be a stand-alone operation with 100% ownership by Tainui Group Holdings from the grid connection all the way through to customer.

The milestone marks the culmination of four years’ work since Tainui Group Holdings’ original vision to self-develop and fully own a robust electricity network to supply the large cool storage and distribution centres at the Superhub, many of which have critical energy needs.  

Ruakura’s Superhub development is expected to continue over the next 20+ years to reach its 610ha capacity. Ruakura Energy connects directly to the nearby Hamilton Grid Exit Point, owned by Transpower, and distributes power via a new Ruakura substation. Connected to an underground network, the substation is equipped with a dual transformer to provide network resilience, maintaining a smooth and reliable operation.

PowerNet will use Northpower to provide network field services.

What is the Ruakura Superhub?

A signature project by Tainui Group Holdings, the intergenerational investor for Waikato-Tainui, the Ruakura Superhub is a project of national signficance.
Located 4 km from Hamilton’s Central Business District and central to the cities and seaports of Auckland and Tauranga, the 610ha Ruakura Superhub includes an inland port,  logistics, industrial, commercial, retail, and green space. The scale of the project presented the opportunity for Tainui Group Holdings to develop its own electricity network and set up a new subsidiary business, Ruakura Energy.