The project will use up to 200 completely submerged marine tidal located invisibly underwater at a total cost of over NZ$600m ($491m) for the first ten years.
On completion, the plant is expected to generate enough power to power an area from Albany to Cape Reinga.
The electricity generated during the earlier stages of the project will be sold to the available routes using existing transmission lines.
The harbour has numerous factors making it suitable for the marine turbines such as the tides that average 2.10m (seven feet).
Kaipara Harbour is managed by government departments, councils, community groups and tangata whenua.
