Old Hydro Village (Site)

Lived here with family from 1972-1976. Attended MDHS until it closed in Dec 1976. Dad worked at West Arm and then on Te Anau and Mararoa control gates. Remember it being an idyllic kiwi life (probably rose-tinted...). Even at 7 years old we'd cross the highway and go down to Balloon Loop and Rainbow Reach. We'd ride our bikes up to "the tanks" and race down, often crashing. The social hub was the Volunteer Fire Station where my dad and uncle served and where dad was eventually fire chief. Parish priest was Father Cashman (from Ireland - masses in the Hall and at Te Anau [did first communion there]) Went to cubs (Cub leader was Mr Karaitiana and his son Stephen was in my class), did all sorts of cool school trips to Glow Worms, Power Station, Kingston Flyer etc. Kids' names I remember from school: Frampton, Tangira (peanut), Heer - Teachers: Kennedy, Buxton. Worst memories - the dental clinic at the school, getting some nasty infection from the dump where we used to go and play (yep) and dad almost burning down the lake side when our BBQ's embers were scattered by a low-flying deer-retrieval helicopter flown by a mate of his. We had appliances from The Key, Te Anau, Mossburn and as far as Lumsden turn up.
Dec 17th, 2022

I lived here with mum & dad 1971-73. We had a high school, local hall, fish n chip shop, volunteer fire station, dairy shop & I think medical center. My dad worked on the Te Anau dam at this stage but had worked on the first tailrace tunnel & turbines for the Manapouri power station before working on the Tiwai smelter construction site between Invercargill and Bluff, then moving to Manapouri. They were great days. Our house overlooked the main road between Te Anau and Manapouri and the rugby field. I recall the hillside where the towns water tanks sat being engulfed by fire and almost everyone up there, even myself at 12 years old trying to smother out fires! NOTE: If you plan to visit this site, it is private property now. You'll need to visit the kepler farm nearby on the same side heading to manapouri for any permission.
Jan 10th, 2022

I lived in the hydro village in 1972-3; 119 Lake Crescent. Hard to believe that the whole town was carted away a few years after I left. I worked as an engineering cadet, on the Manapouri Lake Control Structure, at the confluence of the Lower Waiau and Mararoa Rivers. My duties were mainly site surveying. This work was a project undertaken some years after the completion of the main power station work. I have been back to the area a few times, 1974 & 1991. I hope to make another visit, before I permanently depart also.
Sep 21st, 2020

Start line of Hydro Half Marathon. I'll be joining again next year.
Apr 26th, 2020

The historic site of The Manapouri Hydro Electric Project Village and Manapouri District High School 1965 to 1975. A Home to many families. a place all but forgotten.
Sep 21st, 2017