NZ Geothermal Week 2021
Welcome to the very first New Zealand Geothermal Week!
Running from the 26th to the 31st of July, this week will showcase the innovation and opportunities in the New Zealand geothermal industry, centred in the heart of the action, right here in Taupō.
The geothermal industry is continually innovating and expanding, both in New Zealand and globally. The industry extends beyond electricity generation, it is a broad industry exploring and developing new ways to sustainably create value from this resource, including process heat, carbon capture technologies and mineral extraction. Our extensive geothermal reservoirs and world-class geothermal expertise mean that New Zealand is ground zero for an impressive amount of world-leading innovation and development.
Geothermal areas in the Taupō region have long been recognised as important taonga by local Māori, who use the heated waters for cooking, washing, bathing, warmth, preserving, ceremonial use and healing. In modern times, uses of geothermal features have extended to include electricity generation, sustainable mineral extraction, and renewable, low carbon process heat for industries such as wood processors, dairy factories and hothouses. Local iwi are active owners, investors and employees of many of these enterprises, often in partnership with global leaders in the field. Sustainable practices are increasingly important against the backdrop of New Zealand’s renewable energy goals and consumer expectations of business to “do the right thing”. More companies are looking to sustainable industries like geothermal to power, heat or grow their business. The opportunities for business growth within the geothermal industry are substantial and can be sustained in the long term.
This exciting event week will take place in Taupō; the Centre for Geothermal Excellence. With a wealth of geothermal resources on our doorstep, and as the home of many leading innovators within the industry, there is huge potential for growth.
New Zealand Geothermal Week offers something for everyone, from those looking for inspiration to join the industry at an individual or enterprise level, curious locals, passionate geothermal experts, industry leaders and our future talent.
Check out what's happening throughout the week down below!
Week Overview
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Embedding Mauri in Geothermal Developments
Learn how Māori cultural values can be incorporated alongside Western approaches to form an improved impact assessment framework for the development of geothermal resources. Nona Taute (Te Arawa, Tainui) will share his research findings and proposed framework, drawing on the knowledge and insights of Maori communities in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
When:
Monday 26th July
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Where:
GNS Science Tea Room
114 Karetoto Road
Taupō
Official Opening and Public Seminar
Kicking off the week will be the official opening followed by a public seminar. This seminar will explore the past, present and future of the geothermal industry in the Taupō region. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register.
When:
Monday 26th July
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where:
Great Lake Centre
5 Story Place
Taupō
School Science Competitions
Some fantastic Mobilo and iPad prizes are up for grabs for the future innovators and leaders of New Zealand’s geothermal industry! Two science challenges have been posed to local schools to tackle during New Zealand Geothermal Week. Teams of students will be challenged to build a model of a geothermal power station or create a vision for the future of the geothermal industry in the Taupo region, incorporating Vision Matauranga.
When:
All week long
Deadline 5pm, Friday 30th July, 2021
Where:
Various school around the Taupō District.
Talk to your teacher or school if you are interested in entering.
School Engagement Program
Geothermal industry STEM Ambassadors will be heading to schools throughout the Taupō District to run Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities to inspire the next generation of geothermal innovators.
If you are interesting in getting involved as a STEM ambassador or as a participating school please contact Fiona.
When:
Tuesday 27th July
Various Times
Where:
Local Schools
Taupō
Subdivision Heating Workshop
This workshop will explore the opportunities and barriers to investment in district scale heating and cooling systems in New Zealand that harness the earth’s heat. There will also be an opportunity to discuss partnership and investment in a pilot installation in residential homes.
When:
Tuesday 27th July
9:00am - 12:00pm
Where:
Millenium Hotel
243 Lake Terrace
Taupō
If you are interested in attending this event please contact Celia Wells from GNS Science.
Process Heat Showcase
This showcase will demonstrate the potential for geothermal process heat to power other industries. These include wood processors, dairy processors, food manufacturers, high value manufacturing, horticulture, aquaculture, bioprocessing and other industrial processes that require heat from very low temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius.
Owners and operators of geothermal reservoirs will highlight where and what heat is available, the pros and cons of this relative to other options, and support available to make the switch. Existing users of geothermal process heat will also share their story of adopting this cost-effective low-carbon heat source.
When:
Tuesday 27th July
1.00pm - 4.00pm
Where:
Millenium Hotel
243 Lake Terrace
Taupō
Industry Leaders Breakfast
This breakfast networking event provides an opportunity for geothermal industry leaders and local Taupo business leaders to hear and discuss central government thinking around carbon and what this means for New Zealand industry.
When:
Wednesday 28th July
7:00am - 8:30am
Where:
TBC
If you are interested in attending this event please contact Monique.
Battle of the Mountains
Hear how our Central North Island volcanoes arrived at their current locations, through the telling of the “Battle of the Mountains” Māori legend. This story-telling activity is for preschoolers, and is part of the regular Toddler Time series offered by our great local library here in Taupo, every Wednesday at 10:30am. No registration is required, just come along to the children’s corner in the library.
When:
Wednesday 28th July
10:30am - 11:30am
Where:
Children's Corner
Taupō Library
Story Place
Taupō
NZGA Innovation Field Trip
This field trip provides NZGA members with the opportunity to see world-leading geothermal innovation first-hand. Local success story Geo40 has raised over $49 million to sustainably extract minerals from geothermal brine, which is reinjected into the reservoir after geothermal generation. They have achieved a world-first extracting silica at commercial scale at their Ohaaki Northern Plant, and have now set their sights on lithium.
Space is strictly limited, be sure to book your tickets fast!
When:
Wednesday 28th July
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Where:
Buses depart from
Suncourt Hotel
14 Northcroft St
Taupō
©Jeremy Bright Photography- Grabb Image for Excellence
Ka Hiko ai te iwi! Future Power of the People!
Contact Energy has recently started construction on a new 152-Megawatt power station at Tauhara - this development will generate lots of jobs and training opportunities. Ka Hiko is Contact Energy’s new training and employment initiative which aims to put our whānau into jobs and training. We’re looking for people interested in jobs in trades and construction to participate in our programme.
Nau mai haere mai ki Waipahihi marae a te Rāapa, rua tekau mā waru o Hōngongoi, hei te rima karaka.
When:
Wednesday 28th July
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Where:
Waipahihi Marae
5 Hinerau Grove
Taupō
NZGA Business After 5
This networking event will bring together geothermal industry professionals and the Taupō business community, hosted by Amplify, Contact Energy, Towncentre Taupō, and Taupō Chamber of Commerce. It will highlight Contact Energy’s new $580 million 152MW Tauhara power station currently under construction, which is expected to inject $175 million into the local economy.
Tickets are limited, so be sure to get yours early!
When:
Wednesday 28th July
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Where:
Vine Eatery & Bar
37 Tuwharetoa St
Taupō
NZGA Seminar
The theme of this year’s NZGA Seminar is "Geothermal in a Low Carbon Future". Sessions will focus on how geothermal can contribute to reducing carbon emissions, both within New Zealand and globally, and will feature local innovators and world-class speakers including Dr. Eylem Kaya (University of Auckland) and Mitch Collins (Pink & White Gin).
When:
Thursday 29th July
9:00am - 4:30pm
Where:
Suncourt Hotel
14 Northcroft St
Taupō
NZGA, WING and Western Energy Reception
Following the NZGA Seminar will be a reception hosted by Women in Geothermal (WING) and NZGA, kindly sponsored by Western Energy. This will be an opportunity to network with geothermal industry professionals and debrief about the contents of the seminar. This reception is only open to NZGA members, WING members and guests.
When:
Thursday 29th July
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Where:
Plateau Bar & Eatery
64 Tuwharetoa St
Taupō
NZGA Tauhara Field Trip
This field trip provides NZGA members with the opportunity to visit the construction site of Contact Energy’s new 152MV Tauhara power station. Here, they will learn how this $580 million investment is being developed into a renewable and low-emission energy source, offering a weather-independent baseload that will help our country transition from fossil fuels towards a 100% renewables energy future.
When:
Friday 30th July
10:00am - 12:00pm
Where:
Buses depart from
Suncourt Hotel
14 Northcroft St
Taupō
Geothermal Industry Career Expo
This event will showcase career opportunities in the geothermal industry, from current jobs through to long-term career pathways. There will be exhibitors from across the wider geothermal industry, Including generators, process heat users, research companies, engineering service and construction firms, as well as industry bodies, tertiary institutes, and other training providers.
The event is suitable for students, job seekers and those looking to switch to or extend their career in the geothermal industry, and will cover entry-level and skill development opportunities through to trade and highly-skilled specialist roles.
If you are interested in exhibiting or want to bring a larger group (10+) please contact Tanya.
When:
Friday 30th July
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Where:
Taupō-Nui-a-Tia College
School Hall
122 Spa Road
Taupō
Public Open Day
Ever wanted to see the inside of a power station?
Contact Energy is opening their Te Mihi station to the public to show how geothermal electricity is generated. Free buses departing from the centre of town will take members of the public on a tour of the steam field and Te Mihi power station. Along this journey, they will learn how geothermal steam from several kilometers deep underground is harnessed to power the equivalent of over 160,000 Kiwi households.
When:
Saturday 31st July
9:00am - 12:00pm
Where:
Buses depart from
Outside Taupō iSite
30 Tongariro St
Taupō
Bookings are essential. There will be strictly no public access to Te Mihi other than the bus tours.
Enquiries
If you have any questions or want to know more please feel free to contact Fiona for help!