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APRIL 9, 2026
Mokoroa name reinstated The land where Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital sits near Te Māwhai will now be known as Mokoroa, acknowledging its original identity. Toitū Te Whenua Land
Information New Zealand (LINZ) say physical works on site can now begin following a karakia led by descendants of the original landowners when the original name for the land
Work has started at the former industrial area at Tokanui Hospital. This area housed services such as the kitchen and laundry. Photo: LINZ
was reinstated. The demolition and remediation of the former hospital site is expected to take around three years to complete. Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital operated from 1912 to 1998. Contractors will begin by clearing hazardous materials including asbestos, chemicals, oils and other waste before moving into salvage works. LINZ plans to have doors, windows and timber recovered for reuse, as well as concrete crushed for recycling. Once salvageable materials have been removed, buildings will be mechanically demolished to ground level. Contractors will then remove building foundations and any contaminated soil. Pre site testing identified contamination around buildings where materials
such as paint had deteriorated over time. In addition to building removal, they will also remove underground pipes, footpaths and sections of roading across the site. LINZ will upgrade a closed landfill on site that was used to dispose of
hospital waste during the facility’s operation. This work includes removing and replacing the cap and diverting groundwater away from the landfill. Work will also take place along the Wharekōrino Stream. Several culverts
A bird’s eye view of the former Tokanui Hospital.
will be removed to improve water flow and fish passage. Additional sections of the stream will be daylit, bringing them back to the surface to flow naturally. This work will be supported by restoration planting along the stream margins.
Photo: Protranz Earthmoving
Power plan checks urged Waipā Networks is encouraging residents to plan ahead for winter – by checking whether or not their electricity plan is still right for them. Last week, independent regulator the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko launched “Billy”, an electricity plan comparison and switching tool. Billy replaces the former Powerswitch website and helps users understand their electricity use, compare plans across different retailers, and switch
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to the option that works best for them. “Electricity pricing and plans are set by retailers, not electricity distribution companies like us,” says Anna Watson, General Manager Customer and Community at Waipā Networks. Waipā Networks is an electricity distribution business which owns and maintains the electricity network that delivers power to homes and
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businesses across the district. “Our role is to deliver safe and reliable electricity across the district. What we can do is help people understand how the system works and where they can go to make informed decisions about their power use,” Watson said. Power bills can vary depending on factors such as daily fixed charges, peak and off-peak rates and the times of day electricity is used most. A
plan that works well in summer may not always be the best fit in winter, particularly as household routines change. Billy does not promote any particular power company or receive commissions. It simply shows how different plans could work for a household, based on the information people provide about their electricity use. Waipā residents can review their
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power use using tools like Billy, or speak directly with their electricity retailer if they have questions about their current plan or want to explore other options. “Supporting the uptake of tools like Billy, which help people understand their choices, manage their power use, and make cost savings where they can, is part of our role in supporting a resilient and informed Waipā community,” says Watson.
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