New $273m solar farm opened at Christchurch Airport

Friday 16 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Fri 16 Oct, 11:59am

In this story Mercury

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has officially opened the Kōwhai Park solar farm at Christchurch Airport. The $273 million project is a joint venture between Contact Energy and Lightsource bp. It is expected to generate 275GWh of renewable energy.

How they headlined it

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1. Otago Daily TimesFri 16 Oct, 10:21am

   New $273m solar farm gives NZ ‘an incredible renewable energy advantage’ (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldFri 16 Oct, 10:55am

   Mercury’s Puke Kapo Hau wind farm to become New Zealand’s biggest (opens in new tab)Premium

3. The PressFri 16 Oct, 11:59am

   $506m Otago wind farm set to become New Zealand’s largest (opens in new tab)