Meridian Energy was seeking to develop Project Aqua – what would have been the largest ever infrastructure development in New Zealand. This was a high profile and controversial initiative to create a six-dam hydro scheme on a canal parallel to the Waitaki River in the South Island of New Zealand.
- Retained to work between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (TRONT), Meridian and its consultants to ensure cultural perspectives were taken into account when identifying and planning the mitigation measures for Project Aqua
- Worked with TRONT staff and individual Rūnanga to identify the cultural concerns associated with Project Aqua through a Cultural Impact Assessment
- Engaged and led a team of 12 consulting firms to review the scientific technical reports from a cultural perspective over a six month period
- Jointly developed the mitigation measures with TRONT staff that would have resulted in Ngāi Tahu signing off on the project