New Zealand Opens First Permit Round for Offshore Wind Energy

New Zealand opened its first round of feasibility permit applications for offshore renewable energy, just weeks after completing the enabling legislation. The notice took effect on October 19 and runs until April 19, 2027, and opens two maritime areas, one near Taranaki and another near Waikato/South Auckland, both south of Auckland on the west coast of the North Island.

According to the notice approved by Energy Minister Simeon Brown, this first round is limited to offshore wind projects, whether using fixed-bottom technology, floating technology, or both, and each application must refer to a contiguous permit area within one of the two designated zones. Applications must reach the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) by 5:00 p.m. New Zealand time on April 19, 2027, and permit holders must commence feasibility activities within 12 months of the permit's start date, in addition to consulting beforehand with the relevant Māori groups.

The New Zealand Parliament passed the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill on July 1, 2026. Baird Maritime notes that the law took effect on July 10, while Maritime Executive indicates it officially became law in early August. The legislation established a two-stage regime: feasibility permits will last up to seven years and, after completing the corresponding studies, companies will be able to apply for a commercial construction permit with a 40-year term.

Minister Simeon Brown had noted earlier in the year that the winds off the coast of South Taranaki are comparable to those of the North Sea, the world's most productive offshore wind region, so offshore turbines are expected to operate at a higher capacity factor than those installed onshore. Against this backdrop, Taranaki Offshore Partnership, a joint venture between Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and NZ Super Fund, has already proposed a development off South Taranaki, while New Zealand Offshore Wind has been advancing two projects since 2022, one off South Taranaki and another off South Auckland, with a combined capacity of close to 1.7 GW, according to its director Justine Gilliland.

Maritime Executive cautions that it remains to be seen whether New Zealand will manage to build momentum for its offshore wind industry, noting that neighboring Australia has struggled to move forward after approving its own regulatory framework years ago, as several major developers withdrew citing execution problems and broader pressures on the sector.