TIWAI POINT, SOUTHLAND, NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) converts alumina into aluminium using renewable hydroelectricity, resulting in one of the lowest carbon footprints for an aluminium smelter in the world.

The smelter is located on Tiwai Peninsula in Southland and the majority of the plant's alumina is supplied from our Yarwun and Queensland Alumina Limited refineries. Around 90% of the aluminium produced at NZAS is exported.

In May 2024, NZAS signed 20-year electricity arrangements that secured the future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter to continue competitively producing high-purity, low-carbon metal, backed by a diversified mix of renewable electricity from New Zealand’s South Island.

Our partnerships

In 2022, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ngāi Tahu – the primary iwi with guardianship responsibilities over the South Island of New Zealand – which focuses on positive environmental outcomes for NZAS.

The agreement lays a path for us to work together on plans to remove waste, conduct environmental monitoring, and remediate NZAS – a priority for both mana whenua and Rio Tinto.

We have also identified 34 cultural heritage sites located on land owned and managed by the smelter. They include European burials and structures, as well as Māori sites such as middens, ovens, burials and an adze workshop. Wahi tapu, wahi taoka and mahinga kai are also present on Tiwai Peninsula. We have a Cultural Heritage Management System Plan in place to look after these important sites.

Low carbon aluminium

NZAS is proud to have its metal marketed under Rio Tinto's RenewAl brand. As the world moves towards a lower carbon future, the RenewAl brand can help NZAS take advantage of growing demand for high-quality aluminium to be used in more sustainable, low-carbon products. RenewAl certifies NZAS metal as being some of the lowest carbon in the world.

We have been a member of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) since January 2015, and NZAS has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard and ASI Chain of Custody Standard as part of our commitment to responsible production and sourcing of aluminium.  

NZAS communities

We strive to establish and maintain community relationships that positively contribute to the quality of life where we live and work, and by supporting partnerships that are mutually beneficial and deliver long-term, sustainable results.

We have been the major sponsor of the annual NZAS Southland Science & Technology Fair since 2003. Students are required to investigate a topic of their choice using a scientific method of hypothesis, method, test and conclusions.

We also have a longstanding partnership with Southland Girls' High School, designed to encourage students to pursue careers in engineering and science. Each year we host students at the smelter for a week so they can learn about career options and work on a project gathering, testing and analysing data. Almost half of the participants have gone on to study engineering at university.

In addition to offering in-kind support, NZAS also donated $480,353 in 2023 to 32 non-profit organisations in the Southland community.

As part of our agreement with Ngāi Tahu $2 million has been awarded in 2023 and 2024 to support 23 local, cultural, and business projects.

Increasing diversity

We’re committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that different perspectives are welcomed and valued.

Tiwai is a place where we treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

We want a diverse workplace – not only because it is good for our business, but because it is the right thing to do.

Sourcing locally

We strive wherever possible to buy locally and employ locally, investing in our community by supporting economic activity and contributing towards a sustainable future.

We also focus on training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities. Our graduate program is designed to attract and develop employees to bring fresh thinking, different perspectives and new skill sets.