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Ohakuri Power Station, by Ronald Druett, 1963. Alexander Turnbull Library. G-014
Ohakuri Power Station, by Ronald Druett, 1963. Alexander Turnbull Library. G-014

Description

The 1960s saw large scale developments in building New Zealand’s infrastructure - from motorways to power stations. From 1953 to 1970 there were eight hydroelectric stations built along the Waikato river. This hydro dam, Ohakuri took four years to construct. Once completed and filled (in 1961) it formed the largest manmade lake on the Waikato river. It also drowned several of the world’s largest geysers and much of the Orakei Korako geothermal area. This painting of Ohakuri by Ronald Druett was done in January 1963 when he was staying in the Ohakuri Power Station hostel while working on Wairakei Power Station.

Discussion

What is New Zealand’s longest river and why have so many dams been built on it?

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