Following the sale of their retail business to Mercury, Trustpower's power generation business will soon become Manawa Energy.

This week marks another step forward for the company as they bless the site of their new head office on Cameron Road.

It's the second significant building the company has contributed to the CBD, with its custom-built Durham Street office opening its doors in 2016.

Representatives from Trustpower, co-tenants NZ Blood Service, I-Line Construction, Wingate Architects and Wallace Properties attended a small blessing ceremony on Thursday to prepare the site for foundation works.

Ngāi Tamarāwaho kaumatua, Tamati Tata led the blessing supported by Koro Nicholas of Ngāti Hangarau who played the pūtātara (Māori wind instrument).

"The name ‘Manawa' meaning ‘heart' was gifted to us by Ngāti Hangarau. It speaks to the heart of our operations, the Kaimai Power scheme; and is a nod to our shared whakapapa with Ngāti Hangarau to the Omanawa River," says David Prentice, current CEO of Trustpower (soon to be Manawa Energy).

"We are committed to increasing our company's connection to Te Ao Māori and are working with local hapū to incorporate Māori design elements into the new building.”

The new building will be a purpose-built facility designed with activity-based working in mind. Both Manawa Energy and NZ Blood Service expect to take up residence in the new building in the first quarter of 2023. While the build is being completed, Manawa Energy will lease space in the Trustpower Durham St office it opened six years ago.

'The Durham St office was designed to be open plan, but with a few modifications, it's been surprisingly easy to house the two companies under one roof,” says Annie Tangata, Communications and Community Engagement Advisor at Manawa Energy.

Manawa Energy will continue as NZ's 5th largest power generator and will remain focused on opportunities to develop renewable power generation and move towards a decarbonised future.