New Zealand is accelerating plans for National Green Steel Ltd. to build a structural steel plant in the Waikato region. This electric arc furnace (EAF) plant will have an annual capacity of 200,000 tons, helping to reduce New Zealand's reliance on imported steel. 

The company’s fast-track application outlines a proposal for a scrap-steel shredding plant, an EAF, and a dedicated solar farm to power the operations. This project is also part of New Zealand's steel industry decarbonization plan.

New Zealand Steel expects to start a new EAF at its Glenbrook steel plant in the second quarter of 2026. Australia's Sims Ltd. has been contracted to supply scrap for the EAF.