On The Up: Northland sun to solar power Ryman retirement villages New Zealand-wide

Ryman’s 40 New Zealand villages – including Jane Mander in Whangārei – used 48GWh in the 2025 financial year, meaning the solar farm could supply around 66% of village needs.

Ryman chief operating officer Marsha Cadman said the official launch was a milestone in the organisation’s continued progress towards its science-based emission reduction targets.

“We’re thrilled to see the solar farm up and running. This solar farm gives us a stable, renewable and long-term energy source to help power our villages across Aotearoa New Zealand.

“It reduces our emissions, supports the national grid, and helps us manage energy costs at a time when energy supply and costs are volatile.”

The solar farm is a joint venture between Ngāpuhi Crown investment company Tupu Tonu, sustainable electricity company Harbour Infrastructure and private investment fund Purpose Capital.

The three parties came together under a limited partnership called Maungatūroto Solar Farm Project, which is backed by Ryman’s long-term commitment to buy the electricity.

Ryman Healthcare’s senior development manager Joseph Beeson (pictured from left), chief operating officer Marsha Cadman, head of treasury and corporate finance Byron Hoare, William Sanders Village resident and Auckland University emeritus professor Ralph Cooney, sustainability manager Sadie Keenan and William Sanders resident Anne Cooney celebrate the solar farm opening.

The energy generated is equivalent to powering about 4000 homes and will remove approximately 3200 tonnes of emissions each year.

Cadman said retirement residents increasingly expected providers to take meaningful action on climate change.

“Our residents want to know we’re doing our part for the future. This partnership is leadership in action, moving beyond rooftop panels to a purpose-built solar farm that delivers renewable energy at scale.”

She acknowledged the support of local landowners, hapū Te Uri O Hau Settlement Trust, engineering partners and the Maungatūroto community.

“This solar farm is the culmination of hapū, communities, landowners and industry working together towards one goal.

“We’re proud to be powering our villages, and the national grid with cleaner, more resilient energy.”

The Ryman Healthcare Solar Farm at Maungatūroto will generate about 32GWh each year, about 66% of the electricity required by Ryman retirement villages nationwide and 60% of the company’s total electricity use.

Sunny times ahead for Northland’s power

The Maungatūroto solar farm joins a growing list of solar farms which take advantage of Northland’s sun to produce renewable electricity. They include:

Lodestone Energy’s solar farm on Gill Rd near Kaitāia, called Kohirā, which officially opened in February 2024 with a capacity of 23.7MW, producing about 56GWh, enough for 7770 households each year.Naumai solar farm at Ruawai, launched by energy companies Infratec and NewPower Energy in May 2024, has a capacity of 4.8MW.Northpower’s $25m solar farm in Ruawai, completed in December 2024, produces 28GWh, enough to power 3000 homes a year.Pukenui Solar Farm, led by Aquila Clean Energy and Far North Solar Farm, officially opened in October with a capacity of 20.8MW, enough to power 4000 homes a year.Rānui Generation’s Twin Rivers solar farm at Pamapuria, 10km east of Kaitāia, is expected to generate 42GWh a year and is expected to be fully commissioned before the end of the year.Meridian Energy’s $227m Ruakākā solar farm will have a capacity of 130MW, producing up to 230GWh – enough to power about half the homes in Northland. Construction started in November, with full commissioning expected by early 2027.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.