Meridian money 'gags' dissent
February 16, 2009 by Ben Heather in The Southland Times

The Department of Conservation was paid $175,000 by Meridian Energy to drop its opposition to the $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm. The department is the third wind farm opponent Meridian Energy has silenced, with Ngai Tahu and the Historic Places Trust both withdrawing their opposition last year following settlements, with the latter including a $179,000 payment.

Govt orders DOC to explain wind farm hush-money deal
February 16, 2009 in 3News.co.nz

The Government has ordered the Department of Conservation to deliver a full report on its cash deal with Meridian Energy and expects to get it today or tomorrow. Claims that Meridian paid $175,000 in return for DOC keeping quiet about its concerns over the Project Hayes windfarm near Ranfurly in central Otago have been rejected by the department.

Windfarm may alter flight path
January 27, 2009 in Otago Daily Times

Pilots flying in and out of Wellington may be forced to change course with the construction of a new windfarm. The construction of 62 turbines from Makara Beach to Cape Terawhiti , west of Wellington , is due to begin next month. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) magazine Vector said the wind farm would require airspace changes within Wellington 's "control zone" but the changes would not appear on Visual Navigation Charts (VNC) until November when updated charts were printed.