Meridian hydro plan given status

State-owned Meridian Energy's canal-based hydro development Project Aqua has been granted the special status of a network utility operation by Environment Minister Marian Hobbs.

This means that New Zealand's biggest electricity generator can apply to the minister for "requiring authority status", which could allow it to designate and compulsorily acquire the land it needs in the lower Waitaki River to build its billion-dollar power project.

Hobbs said the public would still have its say under the Resource Management Act.