Geothermal exploration for Taranaki and Waikato

Two Māori-led early exploration projects in Taranaki and South Waikato could unlock new geothermal opportunities beyond New Zealand’s established geothermal areas, supporting regional growth and making greater use of home-grown energy resources, Regional Development and Resources Minister Shane Jones says. A project exploring low-temperature geothermal resources in Taranaki will receive a $3 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF), while a further $2.95m grant will be used to explore the South Mangakino geothermal resource in Waikato. “New Zealand has a long and successful history of geothermal development, primarily concentrated in the Taupō Volcanic Zone and Northland,” Mr Jones says. “With our geology and world-class expertise, we are exceptionally well placed to make more of geothermal. Exploring more widely in places such as Taranaki and South Waikato will help build a better picture of our geothermal potential and where it could support future regional growth. The Taranaki Geoheat Demonstrator project, led by Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation, will drill two shallow test wells in the Matemateāonga Formation to improve our understanding of low-temperature

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