Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies (CFT) supplied Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) utility poles for the upgrade of electricity infrastructure on Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand; a remote and environmentally sensitive location requiring durable, lightweight structural solutions. The project involved the installation of 38 FRP utility poles, delivered and installed efficiently to minimise disruption to the island’s small community of approximately 80 permanent residents. With limited road access across most of the island, material selection and installation methodology were critical to project success.
Kawau Island’s natural environment and conservation priorities required an infrastructure solution that balanced performance, sustainability and minimal environmental impact. Wagners FRP utility poles were selected because they are:
- Lightweight for transport and installation in remote locations
- Corrosion resistant in coastal conditions
- Non-toxic and inert for conservation areas
- 80-year design life
- Recyclable at end of life
- Energy-efficient to manufacture
These characteristics made FRP poles particularly suited to installation in areas where traditional timber or steel poles would present durability, transport or environmental challenges.
Wagners FRP utility poles are engineered with an 80-year design life, helping electricity network owners reduce maintenance requirements and replacement cycles over the lifetime of the pole. Their lightweight construction enabled efficient transport to the island and simplified installation, improving safety and reducing project timeframes in a location where logistics can be complex. The installation demonstrated how composite materials can support modern electricity networks in remote, coastal and environmentally sensitive locations.
The Kawau Island project highlights how advanced composite materials can help deliver reliable, low maintenance infrastructure for small communities were access, durability and environmental stewardship are key considerations. By combining structural performance with sustainability benefits, FRP utility poles provided key future ready solutions aligned with the project’s environmental values; including kaitiakitanga which is the Māori concept for caring for and protecting the natural environment for future generations.
Delivering reliable electricity infrastructure to Kawau Island in New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf required a solution that balanced speed of installation, long-term performance and environmental responsibility. Wagners FRP utility poles were selected for their 80-year design life, lightweight construction, recyclability and energy-efficient manufacturing as well as their non-toxic and inert properties, making them ideal for use in environmentally sensitive locations. Wagners FRP Utility Poles are also supported by an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) which is third-party verified and internationally recognised.
Watch the project story to see how FRP poles helped deliver resilient infrastructure to this unique island community.
