Tuai: Power station history at Lake Whakamarino

Tuai combines the history of hydroelectric power with a lake landscape that can be explored along a variety of routes. The settlement lies on the shore of the artificial Lake Whakamarino; the Tuai Power Station shaped its development. When planning your trip, you can focus on the history of technology, the trails around Lake Kaitawa or the wider area around Lake Waikaremoana. These interests are also a good starting point when looking for a hotel for your trip.

Power station history that shaped Tuai

The Tuai Power Station was officially opened on 20 November 1929. Initially, it operated two generators, each with a capacity of 16 megawatts. A third unit with a capacity of 20 megawatts was added in 1939, bringing the total capacity to 52 megawatts. These two dates show how the facility was expanded. The history of the settlement is also closely connected to it: Tuai developed around the power station.

The name Tuai comes from an ancestor of Ngāti Ruapani. His pā was located at the site of the Tuai Power Station. This connects the place to a cultural history that predates the power station. The Tuai Power Station can be reached and viewed from the northern end of Tuai Main Road. This makes it possible to connect the history of technology with getting your bearings in the area.

Lakes and trails around Tuai

Lake Whakamarino was created as part of work on the hydroelectric project. It is stocked annually with rainbow and brown trout. When the flow is high, large brown trout may occasionally be found below the power station. This is a possible sighting, not a guarantee of a catch. Important to know when visiting the lake: water levels can change without warning, so take care.

Lake Kaitawa offers a different landscape. The artificial lake was created in the 1920s as part of the system supplying water to the Tuai Power Station. The Lake Kaitawa Fairy Springs Track runs through a rimu forest along the lake to a translucent green pool. A footbridge on the route crosses the upper Waikaretaheke River. The lake, forest and river crossing give the trail a different character from the view of the power station.

Getting there and finding your way

Plan your drive along State Highway 38 with the road surface in mind: about 90 kilometres of the section between Murupara and Tuai is unsealed. Access can be difficult for vehicles with low ground clearance; a four-wheel-drive vehicle or SUV is recommended. Road surfaces and conditions can change, so check current travel advice before setting out.

The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is in the surrounding area. The track can be accessed from Onepoto or Hopuruahine Landing; check the latest DOC advice on access roads and track conditions before your trip. Great Walk users can reach both ends of the track by water taxi. The service is seasonal, and booking in advance is recommended. Confirm availability before your trip.

The nearby Te Wharehou o Waikaremoana Visitor Centre is a source of information about the region and its walking tracks, and also rents out equipment. It is about 11 kilometres from Tuai. Check the opening arrangements before visiting. This gives you another place to get your bearings if you want to include trails in the surrounding area alongside Tuai’s history in your plans.

The wider region: Wairoa District

The surrounding area includes Lake Waikaremoana, which is in Te Urewera in Wairoa District and covers 54 square kilometres. Fishing, hiking and other recreational activities are available at the lake. This allows you to set Tuai’s power station history and lakeside trails alongside a broader nature itinerary in Wairoa District, without conflating the locations.

Explore more destinations: Wairoa, Morere, Kotemaori.

View the broader travel guide: Wairoa District.