Ōhakuri Dam

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox dam | name = Ōhakuri Dam | name_official = | image = Ohakuri Dam.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Ōhakuri dam and powerhouse from the north. | image_alt = | location_map = New Zealand | location_map_size = | location_map_caption = | location_map_alt = | coordinates = {{coord|38|24|30|S|176|5|22|E|type:landmark_region:NZ|display=inline,title}} | country = [[New Zealand]] | location = Between [[Taupō]], [[Rotorua]], and [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]] | purpose = P | status = O | construction_began = | opening = 1961 | demolished = | cost = | owner = [[Mercury Energy]] | operator = | dam_type = earth dam with concrete gravity sections for the intake and spillway structures<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mightyriverpower.co.nz/generation/aboutus/hydrostations/ohakuri/Technical.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610041531/http://www.mightyriverpower.co.nz/generation/aboutus/hydrostations/ohakuri/Technical.aspx|archive-date=10 June 2011|title=03. Ohakuri}}</ref> | dam_crosses = [[Waikato River]] | dam_height = | dam_height_foundation= | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_length = | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = | spillway_count = | spillway_type = | spillway_capacity = | res_name = [[Lake Ohakuri]] | res_capacity_total = | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive= | res_catchment = | res_surface = {{convert|12|km2|abbr=on}} | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_max_depth = | res_elevation = | res_tidal_range = | plant_name = Ōhakuri Power Station | plant_coordinates = | plant_operator = Mercury Energy | plant_commission = | plant_decommission = | plant_type = | plant_hydraulic_head = | plant_turbines = 4× 28 MW [[Francis turbine]] | plant_capacity = {{convert|112|MW|abbr=on}} | plant_capacity_factor= | plant_annual_gen = | website = | extra = }} {{Commons category|Ohakuri Dam}} The '''Ōhakuri Dam''' is a dam and hydroelectric power station on the [[Waikato River]], central [[North Island]], [[New Zealand]], midway between [[Taupō]], [[Rotorua]] and [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]]. Its [[dam]] is about {{convert|5|km}} upstream of the [[Atiamuri Dam]].

It was commissioned in 1961 and construction was organised from the 'hydro town' of [[Mangakino]].<ref name="TRIB">[http://www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz/reports/viewchapter.asp?reportID=ad61afe4-9943-41f1-8872-7435b1ab83b8&chapter=74 Section 16.3] (from the [http://www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz/reports/summary.asp?reportid={AD61AFE4-9943-41F1-8872-7435B1AB83B8} Pouakani Report 1993], [[Waitangi Tribunal]]. Accessed 2008-01-16.)</ref> The dam eventually created [[Lake Ohakuri]], the largest artificial lake on the Waikato,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mightyriverpower.co.nz/generation/aboutus/hydrostations/ohakuri/default.aspx| title=Ohakuri| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927043038/http://www.mightyriverpower.co.nz/generation/aboutus/hydrostations/ohakuri/default.aspx| url-status=dead| archive-date=27 September 2011| publisher=Mighty River Power| access-date=13 February 2008}}</ref> which drowned two thirds of the [[Orakei Korako]] geothermal area as well as hot springs and [[wahi tapu]] ([[Māori people|Māori]] sacred sites) at Te Ohaaki.<ref name="TRIB"/> Creation of the dam forced [[Ngāti Tahu]] to relocate their Ohaaki Marae.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10594601|title=Sinking marae's iwi upset at second forced shift|last=Ihaka|first=James|date=2 September 2009|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=2009-09-02}}</ref> The submerged area also included Minginui Geyser and Orakei Korako Geyser, two of the world's largest geysers.<ref>[http://www.wyojones.com/tall.htm Tall Geysers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125042940/http://www.wyojones.com/tall.htm |date=25 November 2010 }}, Minority Geoscience Program, University of New Orleans. Accessed 2008-02-13.</ref>

The construction in the face of these negative effects was considered justified at the time due to the serious electricity shortages plaguing the country after World War II, and by the fact that laws requiring public participation or [[Public consultation|consultation]] were not introduced until much later. While compensation to Māori land owners was paid based on the land take rules of the Public Works Act, the damage to the inhabitants of the area was to form basis of further legal actions under the [[Waitangi Tribunal]] legislation many years later.<ref name="TRIB"/>

==Power station== The '''Ōhakuri Power Station''' has a capacity of {{convert|112|MW}} and is operated by [[Mercury Energy]].

==Gallery== <gallery mode=packed heights="120px"> File:Ohakuri Dam Blue Penstocks.jpg|The [[penstock]]s seen from the west File: Aerial view of Ohakuri Power Station, Waikato River.jpg| Aerial view of Ōhakuri Power Station, February 1969

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==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== *{{cite book | editor=Martin, John E | title=People, Power and Power Stations: Electric Power Generation in New Zealand 1880 - 1990| location=Wellington| publisher=Bridget Williams Books Ltd and Electricity Corporation of New Zealand| year=1991 | isbn=0-908912-16-1| pages = 316 pages}}

==External links== {{stack|{{Portal|New Zealand|Water|Renewable energy}}}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110927043038/http://www.mightyriverpower.co.nz/generation/aboutus/hydrostations/ohakuri/default.aspx Hydro Stations: Ohakuri] (from the Mighty River Power website. Retrieved 2007-12-01.)

[[Category:Dams completed in 1961]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Waikato]] [[Category:Dams in New Zealand]] [[Category:Waikato River]] [[Category:1961 establishments in New Zealand]] [[Category:Ngāti Tahu]] [[Category:Gravity dams]] [[Category:Earth-filled dams]]