Wairere Power Station:
Powering King Country Through a Century
Wairere Falls has long captured the imagination of local communities for its potential to harness hydroelectric power. From as early as 1903, engineers and residents saw promise in the Mokau River’s cascading waters. It was only through the tireless efforts of local pioneers, engineers, and community leaders that this vision became reality.
1. Early Vision and Community Effort
In 1903, electrical engineer LM Hancock identified Wairere Falls as a prime location for a hydroelectric scheme, one of 43 potential sites nationwide. Years later, chief electrical engineer Lawrence Birks, who was familiar with the falls, encouraged residents of Piopio and Aria to pursue this promise actively.
By November 1919, locals had formed a committee to advance the scheme. Despite early doubts - including some hesitation from local dairy farmers and the Piopio dairy factory - momentum steadily grew. The Wairere Electric Power Board was officially constituted in January 1923, with consulting engineer Harry Climie designing the power station and its distribution network.
2. Building The Station and Overcoming Challenges
Securing funding was the greatest hurdle. Unlike other projects, lenders initially balked at financing the £38,500 needed to build the power station and cover early operating costs. Thanks to relentless fundraising and support from local members of Parliament, construction finally began.
By December 1925, the first generator was commissioned, producing 200 kilowatts of power. Piopio and Aria enjoyed electricity by Christmas, and 80 consumers were connected by January 1926. The official opening took place in May 1926, with Prime Minister Gordon Coates acknowledging this major regional achievement.
3. Growth and Innovation
Over the ensuing decades, the station expanded to meet growing demand. By 1931, generating capacity had nearly doubled. Three additional turbines were installed between 1938 and 1981, boosting output to an annual 18 gigawatt-hours.
The Board extended power lines across challenging terrain, using innovative technologies such as the Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) system, enabling cost-effective electrification of remote rural valleys.
4. Technological Innovations and Engineering Milestones
Wairere Power Station was not only a feat of community determination but also a showcase of engineering innovation and adaptability. From its commissioning in 1925 with a single turbine, the station steadily evolved to embrace advancements in hydroelectric technology.
The dam, standing 3.5 meters high above the Wairere Falls on the Mokau River, became the heart of the operation. Between 1938 and 1981, three additional turbines were installed, expanding the station’s capacity and enabling an annual output of around 18 GWh. The turbines included three Boving Horizontal Francis models and one DePretto Esher Wyss Horizontal Francis, powered by an ASEA generator, a testament to the high-quality engineering of the era.
Another major advancement came through the adoption of the Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) system, an economical way to extend electricity to the remote, sparsely populated valleys of the Wairere district. This innovative technology allowed the board to provide reliable supply across difficult terrain, expanding the reach of electricity and demonstrating a commitment to service even in challenging conditions.
During tough winters in the 1940s, the “Monster” diesel generator supplemented hydroelectric output, powering the region through fuel shortages and cold spells.
5. Community Impact and Societal Change
The arrival of electricity transformed the King Country. It revolutionised farming, powered local dairies, and brightened homes and streets in Piopio, Aria, and beyond. Electrification supported regional development projects, including the Maori Land Development Scheme, enhancing housing, education, and economic opportunity.
The power station’s milestones were celebrated with pride. Events attended by dignitaries such as Prime Ministers William Massey and Gordon Coates marked the region’s integration into New Zealand’s modern economy.
Personal stories also enrich this history. Noel Jones, who began working for the Wairere Power Board as a storeman in 1946, shared memories of early conditions: no radios or telephones, men working in all weather, and the camaraderie of a tight-knit team. Noel’s journey from storeman to inspector encapsulates the human spirit behind the power lines, the dedication of individuals who built and maintained the lifeblood of their communities.
6. Legacy and Continued Operation
After more than 50 years of service, the Wairere Electric Power Board had firmly established electricity as the lifeblood of King Country. Major upgrades in the early 1980s enhanced efficiency and output, securing the power station’s future.
Today, the Wairere Power Station remains a shining example of a century of community vision, engineering prowess, and resilience, powering New Zealand’s King Country and inspiring generations.
7. Fish Passage
The river held significant importance for local communities, serving as a vital source of sustenance, connection, and recreation. It provided kai through pā tuna (eel weirs) and the gathering of piharau (lamprey), koura (freshwater crayfish), whitebait, pipi and others. The river itself served as a major transport route, enabling access from Mōkau on the coast to the inland areas. Wairere’s water holes offered places for swimming and later became a popular tourist attraction in the 1920’s. The 'trap and transfer' programme at Wairere provides upstream passage of elvers, past the dam, to ensure the long term sustainability of tuna in the upper reaches of the Mōkau river, and its tributaries. Local kaitiaki have been trained in trap and transfer methodology to support the work undertaken at the Wairere and Mōkauiti dams. Passive bypasses are used at both dam sites to allow tuna heke to safely navigate the dams ensuring they are able to successfully complete their migratory journey to the Tasman Sea at Mōkau.
8. Honouring the people connected to Wairere
For more than a century, Wairere Power Station has been shaped not just by engineering, but by the people and families who built it, operated it, and cared for it over generations.
The area around Wairere has long been home to hapū of Ngāti Maniapoto, including Ngāti Te Paemate and Ngāti Waiora, whose enduring connection to the land and river is acknowledged through on-site signage. That relationship continues today, with King Country Energy working alongside iwi and hapū representatives to protect native fish species and improve fish passage solutions within the scheme.
Wairere’s history is also closely tied to the people who worked at the station across decades. Long-serving operator Barney Aldridge spent more than 30 years at Wairere, continuing a family legacy of service to the region. Barney, the son of former Power Board director Russell Aldridge, passed away in 2017, but his contribution remains an important part of the station’s story.
Another chapter belongs to former operator Graham Joseph “Joe” Le Gallais, who died in 1959 following an incident while working at Wairere. His story reflects the risks faced by early hydro workers and the vital role they played in keeping the region supplied with electricity during the station’s formative years.
Together, these stories speak to the deep intergenerational connection between Wairere, the river, and the communities who have lived and worked alongside it for the past 100 years; a legacy of people, place, and shared responsibility that continues today.
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