Kaihiku is proposed to be 300MW across 73 turbines.[1][2] The site is considered to be a "top tier" resource with average wind speeds between 9.0 and 9.5 m/s. The developer predicts that the farm would generate at maximum capacity 44% of the time, and that the project would cost $750 million to $1 billion NZD to develop.[3] Local reaction to the project was mixed to positive.[4]
In July 2025, Contact Energy announced they had bought Manawa Energy in order to continue the Kaihiku wind farm project, taking a 50% stake in the project.[5] The project has been entered into the fast-track approvals scheme.[5][6]
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