The state-owned energy company had fought for six years to build the 176-turbine Project Hayes wind farm.
The company initially won resource consent, but lost it following an appeal to the Environment Court.
Meridian chief executive Mark Binns told Radio New Zealand s
Checkpoint programme on Thursday a High Court reprieve in 2011 put the company in the position of having to revisit the Environment Court to hear the case all over again. That, coupled with the fact that we d have to spend a significant amount more money and the fact that we already have some other alternatives that are more compelling, means it s the best decision for everybody that we shelve the project.
A former All Blacks captain, a renowned artist and the first Māori to compete at Wimbledon have been awarded honours in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.