Centralines backs investment in Tukituki Water Security

Centralines’ Board of Directors has committed an additional $100,000 to help raise the required $3 million in funding needed to match the government’s regional infrastructure fund for advancing the Tukituki Water Security Project toward commercialisation.

The Tukituki Water Security (TTWS) project is one of the government’s approved ‘fast-track’ projects with the Ministry for the Environment. It seeks to secure a long-term, reliable water supply for Central Hawke’s Bay—supporting the wellbeing of communities, enabling economic growth, and improving environmental sustainability and resilience.
As one of the district’s major infrastructure providers, Centralines believes it is prudent to support projects with the potential to deliver long-term, district-wide benefit. Water security benefits Central Hawke’s Bay’s local economy which relies heavily on the primary and processing sectors, for who water security is essential to their success. 
This latest investment is conditional on total community funding reaching the required $3million target to match the government’s $3million contribution through the regional infrastructure fund. It builds on an initial $200,000 contribution from Centralines, which funded early feasibility work including options analysis, project scoping, and viability assessment. These insights helped confirm the scale of infrastructure needed and the potential benefits for the district—laying the groundwork for this next phase.

Fenton Wilson, Chair of the Centralines Board states: "The most recent investment request followed a conditional offer of central government funding, contingent upon local co-investment. No money has changed hands yet, and should the total community funding fail to reach the required target of $3 million to match the regional infrastructure commitment, this investment will not proceed. Nonetheless, we remain hopeful that it will.

“We believe that by contributing now, alongside other local investors, Centralines can facilitate this co-investment, share the risk with other parties, and ensure the district retains influence in shaping a transformative regional solution.
“Our core purpose is to deliver reliable and affordable electricity and Centralines’ strategic priorities— agreed annually with our shareholder, the Central Hawke’s Bay Consumers Power Trust—also include supporting regional infrastructure that supports economic growth, community wellbeing, and enabling renewable energy opportunities.”
“A secure water supply supports all of these. It underpins our primary and processing sectors, stabilises local economic performance, and may enable future renewable generation projects—contributing to a more sustainable, resilient energy system for the district.”

Consumer Benefit and Financial Returns

If the project progresses successfully through commercialisation and delivers an effective water storage solution, it could be a game changer for Central Hawke’s Bay — unlocking and supporting further growth across the district. This growth could also, in turn, drive increased demand for Centralines’ services, including more network connections.
“Such growth delivers financial and operational benefits, with efficiencies gained as the cost of maintaining the network is shared across a broader customer base. Ultimately, it’s our local consumers who will benefit from these outcomes through our ownership model via the Central Hawke’s Bay Consumers Power Trust,” says Mr Wilson.

“Centralines remains committed to the long-term prosperity and resilience of Central Hawke’s Bay. We believe it is responsible and forward-thinking to support initiatives—such as the TTWS project— that offer meaningful benefit for current and future generations. Our approach to investment is measured, strategic, and always undertaken in the best interests of the community we serve.”
Projected returns will become clearer as the commercialisation phase advances.

All investment decisions are made independently by the Centralines Board of Directors, who are appointed by the Trust to run Centralines in the long-term interests of consumers.  

The Board is comprised of independent, professional directors—none of whom have any personal or financial interest in the TTWS project.