Wairakei | |
|---|---|
Rural locality | |
 The Craters of the Moon, a steamfield close by, created by the use of geothermal energy changing the underground pressure situation. | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 38°37′08″S 176°06′11″E / 38.619°S 176.103°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato region |
| District | Taupō District |
| Ward | Taupō East Rural Ward |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Taupō District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024)[2] | |
• Total | 540 |
| • Density | 1,500/km2 (3,900/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3332 |
Wairakei is a small settlement, and geothermal area 8-kilometres (5 mi) north of Taupō, in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand, on the Waikato River. It is part of the Taupō Volcanic Zone and features several natural geysers, hot pools, boiling mud pools, and the Wairakei Power Station, a major geothermal electric power generating station.
The station was the second large-scale geothermal facility worldwide, and was commissioned in 1958. It was listed in the book 70 Wonders Of The Modern World published in 2000 by Reader's Digest to record The Eventful 20th Century.[3]
The settlement, referred to as Wairakei Village, was constructed to house the workers of both the power station and the neighbouring Aratiatia hydro power station.
From 31 October 2022 it had buses to Taupō, Mondays to Fridays.[4]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Areawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ Antony Mason, 70 Wonders Of The Modern World, ISBN 0-86449-376-2
- ^ "38 Wairakei to Taupō". BusIt. 31 October 2022.