Insiders have revealed to BayBuzz that supporters of Ruataniwha Dam 2 — looking for cost efficiencies and an environmental patina — have hired a US-based dam builder to construct the edifice with wood (poplar, to be specific).

The full details will be revealed in the business case presently being developed by the Tukituki Water Security Project (TWSP).

However, we can identify the builder as Dennis Messner of Nature’s Way Construction. Messner is expanding his operations into NZ in response to the new Trump Adminstration’s antipathy to wood. “Trump’s a 100% bricks, mortar and razor wire guy,” says Messner, “That’s why we lost our bid to build the border wall.”

NZ Government officials confirm this novel approach was critical to the project being awarded fast-track status. That Messner is a beaver is a “game changer” said MBIE officials. “We even fast-tracked him through border quarantine.” And CHB iwi leaders supporting the project say the builder’s outstanding commitment to environment-friendly construction was pivotal in winning their endorsement.

Here’s what Messner had to say about his pro-environment approach in a recent interview with US news service, The Onion: “Not everyone in this area cares or is even aware of how dam building alters an ecosystem. But I am, and, yes, I do wonder what kind of impact my dam will have on the environment. How can I make this the most positive experience possible, while still minimizing adverse impact on the wetlands? What kind of beaver would I be if I didn’t take erosion science into consideration?” Messner says he will be consulting with local fish and waterfowl communities and incorporating their input into his design.

For more insight into Messner’s approach, read the full Onion interview here.

Can he build a 80+ metre high dam? “I want to build something that I can be proud of.” Design details will be revealed in the TWSP business case, says Messner.